North East Times Magazine - October 2014 by North East Times Magazine

2014

£2.95

OCTOBER

CONTENTS

October 2014 BUSINESS NEWS –

SAVE THE DATE –

Business events – mark them on your calendar.

ON THE MOVE –

New executive appointments.

10 QUESTIONS FOR... –

Sarah Pittendrigh, Simply Bows and Chair Covers

STATE OF THE ART – BUSINESS LUNCH –

100

Bouchon Bistrot, Hexham

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS FEATURE – COVER STORY –

110

Dame Allan’s Schools

MOTORS –

118

108

CREDITS

Directors: Mike Grahamslaw, Mick O’Hare Commercial director: Martin Stout Editor: Alison Cowie Editorial: Jessica Laing, Elise Rana Hopper, Steph Shiel, Amy Monteith Senior designer: John Haxon Design: Saba Ahmad Feature photography: Chris Owens Additional photography: Penny Edwards

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

All photos taken by North East Times staff are copyright North East Times Ltd, and are taken solely for use in North East Times magazine or products published by the Accent Magazines Group. If you wish to use or publish a photograph taken for North East Times, please contact the sales department on (0191) 265 7050. Photo charges: £50 for a single image, £295 for full buy out of a photo shoot. Advertising charges: There is a £25 charge for every set of amendments, following the first initial set of amendments, which is free of charge, for adverts designed by North East Times Ltd. Cancellations: If an advert is cancelled by the booker within a seven day period prior to our print deadline, the advert will be charged in full, plus VAT.

Editorial: Contributions should include a fully stamped addressed envelope. No responsibility is accepted for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission, or while in the Editor’s or Printer’s hands. Editorial must be received by the 12th of the month or no responsibilty is accepted for errors. Advertisements: Although every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the Publishers regret that they cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by an error in the printing or damage to, or loss of artwork, transparencies or photos. Complaints: regarding advertisements will only be considered for up to a week after publication. Advertising must be received by the 15th of the month. No responsibilty is accepted for errors. © 2014 Published by North East Times Ltd.

BUSINESS NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Stay or go? The NECC releases results of a poll on EU membership.

poll by the North East Chamber of Commerce on European Union membership, shows high levels of concern about leaving the EU among North East businesses – but also strong support for transferring some powers back to the UK from Brussels. 62 per cent of those surveyed believe there would be a negative impact from withdrawal from the EU, with only 13 per cent predicting a positive impact. However, 61 per cent believe there

would be a positive impact from transferring some powers back to the UK from Brussels. 48 per cent believe further integration with other EU states would be negative. Concern over withdrawal would reduce a little if a trade agreement with the bloc could be renegotiated. 47 per cent believe withdrawal would be negative in these circumstances, while 26 per cent would expect a positive impact. NECC director of Policy Ross Smith

said: “As the North East is the UK’s best performing region for exports, and a big attractor of foreign investment, our future relationship with the EU is of great importance to many businesses here. “It is clear that NECC members have major concerns about the impact of withdrawal. However, those who favour remaining in the EU do believe that North East businesses would benefit if some decisions were made in the UK rather than in Brussels.”

And the winner is … T

he shortlist for the 15th Women into the Network (WIN) North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, which takes place at Gateshead Hilton Hotel on Saturday, November 15, has been announced. Judges this year have shortlisted women who have excelled at providing focused, clear leadership abilities in running or playing a key role in business. Last year’s winner of the Susan Dobson Award, Jo Hand, owner of Jo

Hand Recruitment, said: “Winning has been hugely significant and benefitted the company enormously. New contracts have been won as a result of the raised profile of the business. “My message to all business women out there is this, support these important awards. They can mean a great deal to your companies, but also showcase the amazing women we have operating at the cutting edge of North East business.”

£1.3m for Tees Valley businesses

Tees Valley Business Compass scheme has injected more than £1.3 million of a £2.4 million funding pot, into local firms. Tees Valley Business Compass, which is led by Tees Valley Unlimited), has approved funding for 10 local projects so far – including Hartlepool-based Camerons Brewery which has secured almost £150,000.

City Tavern shortlisted for awards

ess than a year after completing a significant refurbishment, Newcastle’s City Tavern has been shortlisted for three industry accolades. The city centre venue has been shortlisted in Heineken’s forthcoming annual Star Pubs and Bars awards in the Team Training, Best Newcomer and Retailer of the Year categories. The award ceremony will take place in London on November 27.

Music industry conference

ewcastle-based music development agency, Generator, will be hosting a selection of music industry luminaries for this year’s Music Futures conference, including Radio 1’s Head of Music George Ergatoudis. The conference will take place at the Baltic gallery on November 6.

pire Washington Hospital has invested £1.2 million in a new 128-slice CT scanner. A further £400k is currently being invested to upgrade the fluoroscopy room, which will see the hospital offer a full range of diagnostic and interventional procedures.

ayor of Sunderland, Councillor Stuart Porthouse, paid a recent visit to Sunderland hearing aid battery manufacturer, Rayovac, to unveil its new state-of-the-art packaging line and celebrate the company’s strong contribution to manufacturing in the region. Rayovac employs more than 200 people out of its Washington facility and exports hundreds of millions of batteries to over 85 countries around the globe.

Mesma wins national contract

esma has won an undisclosed contract to help national not-forprofit group The MindSet. The Gatesheadbased education software specialists will develop new strategies to enable colleges to help their students improve their work prospects.

Hospital unveils new scanner

Mayor champions manufacturing

Vic Young teams up with Mitsubishi

North East dealership has become the latest car dealership to join the Mitsubishi network. Vic Young Mitsubishi opened its doors at the Newcastle Road site in South Shields, last month.

Training partnership

rofound Careers and Durham County Cricket Club have linked up to develop the Leading Edge Executive Traineeship. Trainees will benefit from work experience placements at Durham’s cricket ground, including in marketing, sales, events,groundskeeping, maintenance and coaching.

New apprentice

urham-based craft specialist Crafter’s Companion has taken on another apprentice following the success of several apprentices that were recruited last year. Paige Marie Todd-Archbold joins the company as a business admin apprentice.

DIARY MENTORING SURGERY

DURHAM OKTOBERFEST 2014

Oct

10 5

Brewin Dolphin, Gallowgate, Newcastle Tel: (0191) 500 7782 Email: michael@entrepreneursforum.net Web: www.entrepreneursforun.net Price: Free Suitable for businesses at any stage, these confidential one-to-one sessions offer business owners the rare opportunity to talk through any business challenges they’re facing with likeminded and experienced entrepreneurs, who will be on hand to offer advice and practical help. Those interested are asked to contact Michael Dixon.

BUTCHERY MASTERCLASS

Oct

115

Save the date Charity balls, business dinners and seminars.

VENTUREFEST NORTH EAST Oct

21 5 Hilton NewcastleGateshead, Newcastle Web: www.venturefestnortheast.com Twitter: @VenturefestNE Price: Free

Blackfrairs Restaurant, Newcastle Tel: (0191) 261 5945 Web: www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk Price: £110 per person Dedicated carnivores are invited to this interactive masterclass, in association with the Great British Meat Company. The class will be hosted by one of the company’s experts, who will be demonstrating a number of professional techniques before helping guests butcher their very own meat. Includes lunch, wine, beer and coffee. Safety equipment supplied.

STICKY MARKETING WITH GEOFF LEBOFF

Oct

21 5

St James’ Park, Newcastle Tel: (0191) 500 7780 Web: www.entrepreneursforum.net Price: Free (members), £25+VAT (members’ guests) Hosted by author, consultant and leading UK expert in sales and marketing Grant Leboff, this open event will shed light on the ‘new’ principles of marketing. Grant, the man behind stickymarketing.com, which produces sales and marketing resources and information, will be sharing his experience and offering guidance on how to thrive in today’s digital world.

23 5

Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe Tel: (0191) 303 7772 Email: info@durhamoktoberfest.org.uk Web: www.durhamoktoberfest.org.uk Price: Free, exhibitor stands from £200 to £800 The North East’s premier engineering and manufacturing show returns, organised to encourage businesses across the region to promote themselves and meet potential buyers, suppliers and customers. Includes a Meet the Buyer event, featuring regional and national companies, such as BAE Systems and Nifco, allowing for one to one network meetings.

ONE TO ONE: BUSINESS CONTINUITY

Oct

Business & IP Centre, Newcastle City Library Tel: (0191) 277 4100 Web: www.bipcnewcastle.co.uk Email: bicpnewcastle@newcastle.gov.uk Price: Free Businesses are invited to partake in 45 minutelong sessions with Newcastle City Council’s resilience planning and continuity officer, Lyndsey Potts. Lyndsey will be offering organisational support and advice on how to make businesses more resilient against the impact of disruption, including IT failure, shortage of staff and no access to premises.

This national conference, now in its second year, returns to the North East. The free, one-day innovation event – which is part of the national Venturefest Network and designed to help delegates introduce innovation and innovative thinking into their business – offers a packed programme, including talks from high profile speakers, in-depth workshops and one-to-one sessions with industry experts. The event is delivered by Newcastle Science City, in partnership with Technology Strategy Board and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership. From 8am to 5.30pm.

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

NECC TYNE & NORTHUMBERLAND ANNUAL DINNER 2014

Oct

Newcastle Civic Centre, Newcastle Tel: 0300 303 6322 Web: www.necc.co.uk Price: £125+VAT per person (non members); £1250+VAT per table (non members); £90+VAT per person (members); £900+VAT per table (members) This year’s prestigious dinner, which will celebrate a year of success within the North East business community and offer guests a chance to network and entertain, includes a drinks and canapé reception, a two-course meal and speeches from Mastercard’s president of international markets, Ann Cairns, and BBC Look North broadcaster, Jeff Brown.

APPOINTMENTS

On the Move Your monthly guide to appointments and promotions.

JAMIE GRAHAM North East construction company Surgo has appointed Jamie Graham as senior estimator. Jamie, who is Northumberland and Durham regional chairman of the Lords Taverners Charity, brings 13 years’ experience of construction knowledge and experience to his new role. Surgo has gained a reputation for successful delivery in a range of prestigious schemes within the North East.

GILLIAN MARSHALL Entrepreneurs’ Forum, the North East’s principal organisation for entrepreneurs, has appointed former business advisor and development manager, Gillian Marshall, as chief executive. A leading figure in business support, commercial connections and promoting the region for investment, Gillian will be responsible for driving the Gatesheadbased organisation forward into a new era.

ALEX LATHAM

LISA MCFARLANE

Newcastle-based PR and marketing consultancy Karol Marketing has appointed Alex Latham as an account manager. Alex, who recently launched and expanded a North East office for a Manchester-based PR agency and has worked in both global and small PR agencies in Manchester and Newcastle, brings four years of public relations experience to her new role.

Newcastle creative design agency Wonder Stuff Studio has appointed Lisa McFarlane as digital creative specialist. In her new role, Lisa, who graduated from University of Sunderland before working for some of the North East’s most respected digital agencies, will add a further level of expertise and skill to the company’s digital services.

STEVE WELCH

LUCY JOHNSON

Stadium of Light, Sunderland, has appointed Steve Welch as business development and executive head chef. In his new role, Steve, who began his career in the Army Catering Corps and has held executive roles at Wynyard Hall and Black Horse at Beamish, will help grow SAFC’s external catering arm, 1879 Event Management.

Jesmond-based law firm McDaniel & Co which specialises in intellectual property matters, has appointed Lucy Johnson as trade mark agent. Lucy, who qualified as a UK and European trade mark attorney in 2012, is experienced across a wide range of trade mark matters, including clearance searches, foreign and Madrid trade mark applications.

INTERVIEW

Sarah Pittendrigh Sarah is managing director of Simply Bows and Chair Covers, a company that hires and dresses weddings and events with a luxury range of chair décor and table linen, designed and manufactured in the North East. Sarah franchised the brand in 2010 and there are now 11 offices stretching from Aberdeen to South Wales.

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?

As a new business start-up in 2008 I had no funds to develop the business. Submitting a detailed business plan I applied for a grant with Business Link which luckily they approved and agreed to support, which resulted in me getting funding to develop a website, purchase a company vehicle and pay for marketing materials and product samples. This was the first step on the ladder.

While assisting my brother and his wife to plan their wedding and when working in the Corporate Event industry, I identified a gap in the market for a more refined and wider product offering in chair décor and table linen that would be supported by exceptional customer service. The market appeared swamped with plain white chair covers with narrow plain organza bows and very little else. Suppliers were not keen to fit their products, leaving it to either the end user or the staff at their chosen venue. I wanted to offer a complete service where we could design and manufacture bespoke pieces for our clients, making their wedding or event individual to them. And we would also fit the products for our clients so we could ensure we left the dressed venue looking pristine.

My career highlight was being voted the Most Promising Business in the UK by the British Chamber of Commerce. We were awarded this in 2012 at the Guild Hall in London at a glittering award ceremony full of senior entrepreneurs and blue chip companies. We were honoured and very thankful to the North East Chamber of Commerce for the nomination.

There is no lowlight – every problem creates an opportunity. I absolutely adore what I do and it is very true that when you find a job you love, you will never ‘work’ again.

The variation. As a franchisee of the Durham and Teesside office, I work with the most stunning wedding venues and meet the most wonderful clients all wanting different themes. I love designing weddings and events with happy people. As a Franchisor, I love introducing new franchisees to the brand. Working with them and mentoring them during the initial stages of setting their franchise up and then standing back and watching them grow into successful businesses in their own right.

What's your biggest challenge?

Who are your heroes, in and out of business?

Simply Bows and Chair Covers brings a new collection out every year. We have to keep being innovative and market-leading to ensure we stay ahead of the competition. The frustration is, as soon as we bring out a new design our competitors are straight on our website to copy it. I do take comfort knowing that we are obviously aspirational!

I admire anyone who is prepared to have a go, selfless people and people who have come from humble beginnings and made a difference for themselves and others. It is not always about who earns the most money or who has the biggest business. I love a can-do attitude. Volunteers in sport and for charities often do not get as much credit as they should.

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

What does the future hold for Simply Bows and Chair Covers?

What do you do to relax?

Follow your gut instinct and, ‘when you are not fishing, be mending your nets’.

We will continue to follow our brand values – delivering a quality product with exceptional customer service at an affordable price. As a group, we intend to continue selling franchises with an ambition of having 30 franchises in the UK and supplying every five-star hotel.

Horses have always been our family’s passion. Both my husband and I have ridden and competed horses all of our lives, and both sets of parents before us. Our son is now competing his horses at national level and all of my spare time is spent supporting him at his shows and events.

www.simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk

DEVELOPMENT Richard Lane (pictured right with partner Lee Durham).

Graduating to (sales) success durhamlane’s Richard Lane is working closely with clients to help them improve their sales graduate programmes. Here, he explains more about the benefits of the firm’s unique approach ... ecruiting experienced sales people is tough enough but selecting and training high calibre graduates for businesses that want to harness youth, ambition, enthusiasm and raw talent with established sales processes, can be a daunting experience. It requires a deft touch and a genuine insight into a client’s business to separate the ‘wheat from the chaff’. And it doesn’t stop there. Once you have honed your search, and recruited your sales graduates, it’s vital that you continue to invest through structured training programmes which channel the skills and potential of your young team in the right direction and, ultimately, ensure they deliver as drivers of growth and economic prosperity. That’s why durhamlane has developed its sales graduate programme – to create future generations of high quality sales professionals who are fully equipped with the skills their employers want and are ready to succeed. After we have helped recruit graduates and placed them with employers, we continue to work with them over a 12-month period to develop fully their selling skills. This begins with the graduates undertaking intensive ‘start-up’ sales training followed by a series of one-to-one coaching sessions, delivered by highly experienced sales coaches, before

selecting from a range of master class workshops that boost and fine tune their sales techniques. Throughout the process, the graduates are able to tap into a valuable array of online resources via durhamlane’s Sales Community Portal, which provides 24/7 access to additional learning tools and templates as well the opportunity for interaction with peers and experts to reinforce learning. One company to benefit from durhamlane’s sales graduate programme is Sunderlandbased Cedrec, which specialises in providing public and private sector organisations with help and advice in understanding, interpreting and complying with safety and environmental legislation and regulations. The firm, which is targeting growth and expansion over the coming months, has hired two sales graduates through durhamlane. Steven Armstrong, director at Cedrec, said: “The graduates found for us by durhamlane were exceptional, reflecting its ability to get under the skin of a business to really understand its needs. “It’s now providing on-going training and support, which has already delivered results and therefore proved to be highly beneficial for both our graduates and our business.” Lancaster-based training management software provider accessplanit is another to

benefit from the sales graduate programme. Customer success manager Elie Wike, who was recruited and supported throughout her early months with the company by durhamlane, said: “I felt supported through every step of my journey into the scary world of sales, from initial application to on-going support and development through durhamlane coaching. As such an early stage in my career it has given me the confidence to be the very best I 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. We deliver 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. Our proven ‘Selling at a Higher Level’ methodology sits at the heart of everything, its services and improving performance regardless of where a client is in the lifecycle of its business. For more information on durhamlane visit www.durhamlane.co.uk

BUSINESS

Too much

choice? Why too many options could hold your businesses back, by Rod Findlay, consultant at Your Sport Consulting.

ny customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black,” Henry Ford famously said this about the Ford Model T car in 1909. A century later and customers are faced with a bewildering array of choices and many struggle to make sense of them. Do too many choices hold your business back and might your offerings stop people choosing your services? Many businesses think that giving clients more options must mean that they are servicing their needs and so will attract more business. In fact this might not be the case.

“A

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

for other issues. Often the time and stress invested to keep a wide range of choice isn’t likely to outweigh the benefit of possibly saving a few dollars. Maybe you should cast your net small and decide your limit on where you’ll shop, search or compare. And once you’ve made your decision, stick with it. The truth is that it often doesn't matter what we choose, only that we do choose.

The choices you offer making a choice would lead to a better outcome.

Psychological impact of more choices

The choices you face

In The Paradox of Choice – Why More Is Less, American psychologist Barry Scwartz argues that eliminating consumer choices can greatly reduce anxiety. While autonomy and freedom of choice are essential to psychologica, well being, it seems that more choice is in fact detrimental. ‘Overchoice’ or ‘choice overload’ are terms introduced by Alvin Toffler in Future Shock, to describe the postindustrial problem for consumers with too many choices. Since the Industrial Revolution, more products are being offered with product variations easily incorporated and consumers have more disposable income. These increased choices, on the surface, appear to be a positive development but faced with too many choices, consumers have trouble making optimal choices, and as a result can be indecisive because of the need to sufficiently research so many choices. It would seem that many prefer to make no choice at all, even if

You will know the various choices you face on a daily basis and how many of them really matter. Where should we locate the head office? Which candidate should we offer the job too? Should we carpet the board room blue or green? Which mobile phone shall we offer our sales team? All of these decisions require time and energy and yet many choices demanding your focus have no real impact on the success of your business. Daniel McFadden, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, says that consumers find too many options troubling because of the “risk of misperception and miscalculation, of misunderstanding the available alternatives, of misreading one's own tastes, of yielding to a moment's whim and regretting it afterwards”, combined with “the stress of information acquisition”. Some problems benefit from wide choice but you might ask what you’ll really achieve if you keep your options as open as possible

In a former business, we offered fans of the rugby league club an array of ticketing options for matches. Surely that would be good for empowerment and would attract higher crowds? We did not research how well received this was but looking back maybe it impacted negatively. How many people thought ‘I don’t have time to think about that now’ or ‘I’d better ask the others what they want’ only for them never to return to the choice? Glidden, an American paint brand, decided in 2009 to reduce its palette of wall colours from over 1000 to a mere 282 because of a change in “Americans' priorities from ‘more is better' to ‘less is more'”. And when Procter & Gamble reduced its range of Head & Shoulders shampoos from 26 to 15, sales increased by 10 per cent, according to Sheena Iyengar in The Art of Choosing. We have all faced that indecision when confronting too much choice. Maybe next time you experience it in business you should make an early plunge and get on with the real issues affecting your businesses – such as reducing the stress and wide range of choice for your clients. Although maybe not as far as only offering black.

EVENT

Harry’s Bar golf challenge The Newcastle bar hosts a golf event at Close House.

arry’s Bar teamed up with A-Belco to welcome clients from various parts of the world to enjoy their annual corporate golf challenge at Close House, Newcastle. Harry’s Bar kept golfers well nourished with their famous Rossini cocktails and homemade strawberry tarts. The winning team was led by the current Close House captain Tim Price. The day was a huge success and raised in excess of £17,000 for the Alan Shearer Foundation. Harry’s Bar is open daily from 8am until 3am serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a DJ on a Friday and Saturday evening. Grey Street, opposite Theatre Royale. Tel: (0191) 261 2621, www.harrysbarnewcastle.com

DEVELOPMENT

The role of the

manager By Mike Jobson, Oxford Innovation’s Business Northumberland High Growth programme manager.

ast month I looked at personal time management to increase effectiveness. This month I would like to focus on the role of the manager in SMEs and their impact on the organisation. There are many definitions of management but one that resonates with Oxford Innovation is ‘leading a team to achieve planned objectives’. To do this effectively we need to break down the role into tasks that are generic to most management roles, namely: planning, organising, monitoring, controlling, leading and achieving. In most circumstances, we become a manager because we have good technical skills. We don’t normally receive training in how to manage. It can be an alien environment and quite daunting to be a member of the team one day and managing it the next. If this is you, what is vital at the outset is that you agree with your boss what it is that you and your team have to achieve to ensure the organisation’s success. That is step one, because if we don’t know where we are going, any road will take us there! A set of meaningful key performance indicators (KPIs) need to be agreed. These objectives should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relative and time bound). An example for a factory manager could be, ‘to reduce the metric tonnage of shop floor metal waste from eight per cent to four per cent

EXPERT VIEW Mike Jobson Programme manager Oxford Innovation Tel: 01670 528403 Email northumberland@oxin.co.uk Web: www.businessnorthumberland.co.uk

by the end of December 2014’. This could also be linked to the cash benefit of the saving which could be a direct improvement to the bottom line. The manager cannot achieve this objective on his or her own; they need the co-operation and commitment of their team to make this happen. If you are running a three-shift system you may want to talk this KPI through with each of your shift managers to discuss how this improvement can be achieved. It would be very useful to understand how each shift is performing against the overall current 8 per cent level. The leader would then set the direction for the department and the teams by explaining why this objective is important. It will also be important to get the buy-in of the teams and get suggestions from them as to why this waste is occurring and what can be done to reduce it.

Using clear communication so that everyone is enrolled in the achievement of the objective should accomplish this. I would also suggest including an agreement to introduce review periods (daily/weekly/monthly) so that progress can be monitored. It is also vital that every member of the team fully understands what their role and responsibilities are. In other words: why am I here and what am I expected to deliver? Organising how your team works together is a key part of the role. Within this is the art of delegation. Why don’t managers delegate? Quite simply, people don't delegate because they fear it will take a lot of up-front effort. This can mean that you are the one doing most of the work, but it also means that your team members don’t have the opportunity to grow and show you what they can do. As a manager you should aim to delegate as much of your job as possible bearing in mind the capabilities of the team members who work with you. Find the time to delegate effectively and monitor the progress made by your team. Management is the art of achieving results through other people. Are you using all your team resources effectively to grow your business and to grow your team members? Anyone wishing to find out more about the Business Northumberland High Growth programme and how Oxford Innovation can potentially support their business should call us today.

DEVELOPMENT

It’s not always about the

money Bryony Gibson, managing director of Bryony Gibson Consulting, discusses the value of benefit and reward schemes to your business.

hether it's a desire to improve employee engagement, a way of recruiting and retaining top talent or simply an attempt to offset a pay freeze, coming up with a benefit and reward scheme that matches your company culture should be high on every employer’s agenda. In fact, the majority of employees I speak to now expect a healthy benefits package to accompany a competitive annual salary. They see it as an indication of the level of care an organisation has for its team; and that can have a big bearing on how valued they will ultimately feel. Of course benefit and reward schemes are nothing new in the UK, but it’s worth noting that they do tend to deviate in line with current trends, so it pays to keep on top of the strength of your offer. The most popular current benefits include life assurance, pensions, salary sacrifice schemes (health or childcare vouchers), additional holidays, private medical insurance and flexible working hours. In recent years there has also been a move towards promoting a healthy and hopefully more productive workforce. This has seen the introduction of well-being programmes, subsidised food and drink, tax advantages for biking to work and discounts on gym and leisure membership. As with most things in life, in the US they seem to go that little bit further. So if you're thinking of developing your own company scheme, here are a few ideas that should help you stand out from the crowd:

dry cleaning to returning library books, taking your car to the garage and even shopping around for insurance quotes.

Google It seems Google are the benchmark for everything they do, including staff benefits. They offer a well-documented myriad of 'perks' all aimed at helping 'Googlers' focus on the 'things

Netflix

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

they love'. Benefits range from free on-site Michelin-starred restaurants, gyms and massages, to extra spending money for new parents, on-site doctors and even the opportunity to work on your own projects one day a week.

SC Johnson & Son As well as competitive salaries, bonus and profit share schemes, this family business offers a private concierge service to ensure all of their staff can stay focused and still get their daily chores done. They understand that in order for people to truly give their all, they need some support to balance both work and life, and so the concierge helps with anything, from picking up

Often cited as the pioneer of unlimited holidays, Netflix stand firmly by their belief that treating people like adults means they will behave like adults. As part of a comprehensive benefits package they demonstrate an unwavering level of trust in their team by allowing them to take as many holidays as they would like each year; with no records kept.

SAS Battling regularly with Google at the top of US Fortune’s ‘100 best companies to work for’, SAS offers on-site medical care for both staff and their families. Throw in low-cost, high quality child care, free fitness centres and a summer camp for children of their employees and it’s no wonder they’re one of the most sought after employers in America. I guess the big question is does it pay off? Well you only have to look at the success of the businesses who believe in it to see that supporting people, placing trust in them and allowing a certain level of autonomy can have amazingly positive results. What is critical is that you work out what is best for both your business and your team. Designing a successful benefit and reward scheme doesn’t have to cost huge amounts of money, but you have to think carefully about how you can help your employees both at work and away from it. Competitive salaries are undeniably part of the package, but why not ask your team what they would value most as a reward, as it is these benefits that could make all the difference.

BUSINESS

North East Entrepreneurial Awards The region’s business owners gathered last month for one of the most prestigious events of the year. orth East business owners – emerging and established – made the Entrepreneurs’ Forum annual awards another night of celebration and camaraderie. Chairman Nigel Mills said: “Our awards are unique because they are awarded to entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs; it’s a real achievement to be recognised by your peers.” Leading the honours were two entrepreneurs in the health and care sector along with a regional business ambassador whose symbols of success are a lasting legacy for the North East. Sir John Hall was honoured at the event – held at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead – with the award for lifetime achievement, receiving a standing ovation from the 300-strong audience. Offering clues before revealing the winner’s name, his friend Sir Peter Vardy, co-founder of the Forum, described Sir John as “a colossus of North East business”. Sir Peter, who won the same award last year, added: “Sport or shopping, our winner has been the inspiration behind the icons. They have changed the very landscape of the North East, where the physical symbols of their success are embedded in the social fabric of our region. “But their legacy goes beyond just physical buildings. It’s a legacy that shouts ambition, hope, a passion for the North East and the kind of fighting spirit that fills this room tonight.” The award came in the year that Sir John is celebrating 50 years since establishing his business, Cameron Hall Developments, which developed the Metrocentre.

Acknowledging the contributions of entrepreneurs to the North East, he said: "There's a gene inside you: you want to do things, you want to make change. It's something special we all have as entrepreneurs. "Receiving this award from my peers, my fellow entrepreneurs, is very humbling indeed and I will treasure it in the years to come. I will take it home to Northumberland." As he marks five decades in business, another of the night’s winners started his business, Lynch Healthcare, just five years ago. David Lynch was chosen by the judges as the Emerging Talent from a shortlist that included Charlotte Prenelle, of Pranella fashion accessories brand, and Martyn Young, of Sunderland-based First2Print. Lynch Healthcare is a leading specialist manufacturer, supplier and installer of disability products for moving and handling patients to customers including the NHS, nursing homes, local authorities, special schools and private clinicians. It launched its manufacturing division this year and has created its own brand of patient slings, made at its factory in Sunderland with great export potential. David said: “There have been many times when I’ve thought ‘am I doing the right thing, should I change the strategy, should I change the vision?’, but we’ve stuck with it and now we have a fantastic team which has made all the difference.” Ian Watson, founder of Hadrian Healthcare, faced high-performing opposition for the title of Entrepreneur of the Year in Andrew Esson, of Quick Hydraulics; Dean Benson, of

Visualsoft; and Bryan Bunn, of Nortech Solutions. A family business, Hadrian Healthcare owns a growing group of ten luxury residential, nursing and dementia care homes for the elderly in the North East and Yorkshire. Ian started the business in 1992 before selling it, starting another healthcare business that he also sold, then re-establishing the Hadrian Healthcare brand in 2007. It now employs 700 staff. “As an organisation we put ourselves at the forefront in being innovative in care techniques, in the environments we provide and in the manner in which we deliver care,” said Ian. Hosted by radio presenter and comedian Alfie Joey, the awards were the climax to the evening with the finalists chosen from a record number of nominations. The event was also a major fundraiser for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, with guests supporting the charity to the tune of nearly £8000. The awards celebration kicked off a new autumn season of Forum events which includes events with Mark Shorrock, a developer of large-scale renewable energy projects; Geoff Turnbull, of GT Group; Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year Hamid Guedroudj, of Petroleum Experts; and an annual Global Entrepreneurship Week conference, Fortune Favours the Brave, on November 20. For more information visit www.entrepreneursforum.net

MEDIA

Anti-social? It’s time to think again ... Sceptical about Twitter? Cynical about LinkedIn? Samantha Davidson, managing director of full service marketing company Horizonworks, explains how social media can be used to benefit your organisation ... and be integrated into your business strategy. roviding s**t to scum for over 70 years’: not a sentence that Greggs’ communications team would have wanted to be summarising their company on Google’s search page. But thanks to Greggs’ primary Google search image being replaced with this parody, one day in August, that’s exactly what greeted them – and thousands of other web users too, as the unfortunate tagline went viral. How the bakery chain responded shows how a well-executed social media plan can swing into action and turn a negative into a positive. Greggs engaged in some humorous Twitter banter with Google over the issue – responding to one jokey tweet with a picture of a box of delicious looking doughnuts, and a tweet of ‘Hey @GoogleUK, fix it and they're yours!!! #FixGreggs’. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given this tempting offer, Google solved the problem. But Greggs also won some fantastic publicity over the incident ... and its swift (and funny) responses garnered plenty of applause. Greggs’ actions demonstrate the value of social media to a living, breathing business, in this case the ability to counter negative publicity immediately, rather than waiting for a press release to be issued and then used by newspapers or television stations. ‘Crisis communications’ of this kind can be built into a business’s marketing strategy – and social media used as an effective tool to deliver them. Indeed, social media platforms – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest et al -

‘P

should be seen as channels through which to deliver a focused marketing strategy tailored for your business – in the same way that your organisation may employ tactics including media relations, direct mail or digital marketing to promote itself. Social media should be a part of the mix of tactics used to bring success to your organisation ... but should never be something you approach flippantly – or without thought to your target markets, brand values, core messages and crucially, your objectives. As a full service strategic marketing company, Horizonworks has integrated social media implementation into many of its strategies for clients, which include the N8 Research Partnership, a collaboration of the eight most research intensive universities in the North of England, water industry membership body The Institute of Water, packaging specialist IPS and regenerative medicine network Regener8. Some companies wish, via social media, to connect with their stakeholders or explore new opportunities with industry bodies. Others want to raise their profile and build brand credibility. Many want to increase sales – whether that’s of a product, or seats at a conference. Social media can also be an effective way in which to disseminate news and announcements, such as job vacancies. And of course, we shouldn’t forget that channels such as LinkedIn are an excellent way of identifying new business opportunities. Unfortunately, many companies still see

social media as a platform for celebrity tittletattle, or an online catwalk for narcissists: not unfair criticisms of some users, granted, but a view that surely denigrates social media’s true potential. The marketing strategy we developed for the Institute of Water’s Annual Conference in June mixed ‘traditional’ PR tactics – generating press coverage in trade publications – with Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn posts, creating a buzz around the event and supporting ticket sales. Last month, we undertook a similar social media campaign in the run-up to Regener8’s annual conference, helping to increase attendance significantly on last year’s event. And our integrated marketing strategy for IPS’s Desto cup – which included a key social media element – led to an increase in sales enquiries and boosted the company’s profile. Twitter claims to have 271 million monthly active users across the globe, with 15 million of them in the UK. LinkedIn, meanwhile, boasts 300 million members and more than 10 million in the UK. By the end of last year, Facebook had a staggering 1.23 billion monthly active users worldwide and a third of the UK population visit the site every day. Instagram and Pinterest, too, are growing in stature. Not all of these channels will be right for your business. Not all of them will reach the audience you seek. But the potential to help your business grow is clearly there. And by being part of an integrated, marketing strategy – your blueprint for future growth – social media can be an immensely powerful tool.

Top tips for social media success ...

Horizonworks’ Samantha Davidson

Ensure consistency with the overall marketing plan Your social media activity should be integrated into your overall marketing plan and used as a tool to achieve key objectives and goals. A good marketing company can create a social media strategy that defines your core audience and messages, ensuring synergy with your other marketing activities

Create and implement a social media policy Social media can act as a voice for your company and platform to enable you to interact with stakeholders, staff and customers. Consider carefully the nature of your social media content and how it relates to your target audience. Your social media policy should highlight the appropriate tone of voice in addition to defining the frequency and timing of updates.

Choose the right platform There are numerous social networks available, each with their own purposes and advantages. It’s imperative that you choose the most appropriate social media channels and use them effectively. For example, if you’re a design company or a retailer selling interior products or fashion items, consider using Pinterest or Instagram, as these are visually-lead and can showcase what you’re offering customers; if you’re operating in a business-to-business environment then consider using LinkedIn to engage with key decision makers within prospect companies.

Ensure that your activity is making an impact An advantage of using social media is that there are a host of analytical tools available, many of which are free and most networks now feature their own built-in tools. Be sure to set a number of key objectives for your social media activity; for example if the key goal is to drive traffic to your website, then review its impact using Google Analytics. You may consider employing a marketing company to collect and analyse this data which can be used to continuously update and improve social media strategy and to ultimately achieve your goals. For more information on Horizonworks visit www.horizonworks.co.uk, tel: 08450 759955 or email: hello@horizonworks.co.uk

LEGAL & FINANCIAL NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

From associate to director Major Family Law promotes experienced solicitor Anna Hunter.

ajor Family Law has announced the appointment to director of longest serving associate solicitor, Anna Hunter. Anna joined Major Family Law in July 2009, soon after the practice opened its offices in Ponteland and has a strong reputation in all aspects of family law work, with more than ten years as a qualified solicitor in her field. Anna has a particular interest in cases involving children, from disputes involving contact and with which parent a child should live, to relocation cases and cases involving cultural issues. A trained

collaborative lawyer, she is a strong proponent of this method of resolving disputes which encourages parties, supported by their solicitors, to work together to find a fair solution to their issues without having to go to Court. Major Family Law founder and principal, Joanne Major, said: “Anna is an outstanding family lawyer and a real asset to the practice. She is well respected both by clients and her professional colleagues. I am delighted to welcome such a loyal, committed and experienced lawyer to the board, and all the drive and talent which Anna brings with her.”

New recruits at Mincoffs

ewcastle Commercial Law Firm Mincoffs has made a number of new appointments to strengthen its team. Solicitors Robyn Shepherd and Jonathan Smith have joined the firm, as has Northumbria University graduate Rebecca Logan who has become the first of three trainee solicitor to be taken on by Mincoffs in the next 12 months. Chris Hughes has also recently qualified as a solicitor after having successfully completed his training contract at the firm.

Law firm on course for top awards

inn Solicitors has been nominated for four awards at the national Modern Law awards. The firm – competing in more categories than any other finalist – is the region’s only representative at this year’s awards which celebrates excellence in the legal sector. Head of litigation, Ghazala Bashey is in line to be named Lawyer of the Year with Winn Solicitors also aiming to triumph in the ABS of the Year (over 100 employees), Deal of the Year and Law Firm of the Year categories.

Esteemed award win

Bishop Auckland accountancy practice is celebrating after winning a prestigious regional award for its ongoing commitment to the training of apprentices. Mitchells Grievson entered into the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014 and was successful in winning Small Employer of the Year at the Regional Apprenticeship awards ceremony, which took place at the Radisson Hotel, Durham. The practice will now go on to compete against other regional winners in the national finals based in Birmingham in November.

LAW & FINANCE

Keeping it

personal The importance of face-to-face financial advice, by Ian Lowes, managing director of Lowes Financial Management.

he impending launch of automated financial advice websites has raised debate about how far technology can replace the advice process, especially without human intervention. The aim of technology is to improve efficiency and reduce costs. In this case, it certainly will achieve its aim, but we have to consider at what cost, if any, to the consumer? After all, any confusion as to what the right investment is, rather than a straightforward vanilla and standalone solution, will not be able to be handled appropriately by a website. For clients who have existing investments, complex needs or uncertainty about appropriate investments, they will need advice to ensure they have an appropriate solution. Also, many of us still value a human voice to reassure and guide our financial decisions. This is because trust is fundamental to any financial services relationship. After all, there are few things more important than looking after someone's financial wellbeing and the money which, one day, they will pass to their children. It is difficult to build trust with a faceless entity like a website and as consumers you can identify your adviser’s unique brand through the service they offer. Getting financial advice through a face-toface meeting, an adviser has the opportunity to fully understand their needs and requirements. Personal contact can help build a sense of trust between the client and adviser, leading to a more mutually beneficial relationship in the long term. While hard facts can be gathered easily through automated advice websites, soft facts are more difficult to gauge and easier to determine in a face-to-face meeting. During a fact find with clients, we try to find out what’s important to them, which can reveal more about the client, including ethical views and reasons why they might need some money. A typical questionnaire without any further follow up questions may miss something crucial about the client’s needs and

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

requirements. The difficulty with profiling clients using technology has been highlighted recently in a press article. The Telegraph recently ran a story about a very commonly used risk profiling system. A dummy profile of a cautious and inexperienced investor, created to test the tool, threw up an inappropriate result for this client. The software provider responded by stating that attitude to risk questionnaires on their own are not sufficient in determining an individual’s risk profile. It was still down to the adviser’s discretion. Even the technology company admits the importance of human interaction with clients to determine their risk profile. Technology can add a layer of complexity to interactions. Recently, an acquaintance was at an event abroad which operated on a cashless

basis which required attendees to top up a wristband and use it, rather than cash to pay for drinks and food. There was definite merit to such a system but it didn’t take long to spot the flaw. Having waited in a bustling queue to top up her wristband, my friend handed over her cash, was instructed to hold her wristband over the transmitter and was quickly handed a receipt as the next person was served. Luckily, she checked the receipt and identified that the equivalent to £4 had apparently been ‘skimmed off the top’. On questioning the cashier the matter was put right but she couldn’t help conclude that this was more than an honest mistake. So, while this may have been more a case of dishonesty rather than technology failure, it goes to prove that no system is infallible and any weak links are likely to be to the customer’s detriment. In a more ideal situation, technology can be used appropriately when combined with people’s understanding in the regulated financial services space to provide information but not advice and this for some will provide a cost effective solution. Our comparison site, CompareStructuredProducts.com, lists all the important metrics needed to compare structured products for which we are renowned experts. These investments are investments backed by a significant counterparty with defined returns by reference to a defined underlying measurement, such as the FTSE 100 index, delivered at a defined date. However, whilst the site provides a lot of information, it is not a substitute for advice where a client is unsure as to the suitability of a particular course of action. We use technology to provide clarity around the investments, but the need for financial advice, if the consumer is unsure still stands. It is through technology and people that the best possible advice is given, tailored specifically to an investor’s needs.

LAW & FINANCE

Early Neutral Evaluation Lucinda Connell, senior solicitor at Major Family Law, on taking the heat out of family disputes.

EXPERT VIEW Lucinda Connell Senior solicitor Major Family Law Tel: (01661) 824582 Web: www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk Twitter: @majorfamilylaw

t has been long accepted that, particularly within the context of family disputes involving children, an adversarial and litigious approach is rarely the best approach to resolving the dispute. Under current rules, anyone seeking court intervention in a matter pertaining to children must first attend a meeting with a professional mediator to investigate whether it is appropriate and practicable for the issue to be resolved by way of mediation. Other types of dispute resolution which avoid the court process already exist and continue to evolve to better address the needs of those using them and the children who are affected by the agreements reached. In July of this year, the newest of these methods was successfully used for the first time. Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) is a technique which involves the parties employing a senior lawyer or appropriate expert to evaluate the likely outcome of the case by considering the strengths and weaknesses of the partiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arguments and providing a decision to assist the parties in reaching an agreement together. In the case in question, the parties had already started court proceedings when they

agreed to ENE. It was a crucial feature that both agreed to be bound by the determination of the evaluator and so the court proceedings were put on hold pending the outcome of the evaluation. Under the ENE process, the parties agree what the issues in which the evaluator is to consider and set these out in their joint letter of instruction, in which they include all relevant documents and evidence. The evaluator has the ability to hear arguments from both parties directly to assist in reaching a decision, and the outcome of the ENE can then be incorporated into a legally binding court order. It is expected that the parties will share the cost of undergoing the process. Like other dispute resolution methods, the ENE is flexible and allows the parties to retain control on both outcome and costs. It is a swift and discreet route to reaching a solution as well as being more economical than pursuing a court application. ENEs have been in operation in Minnesota, USA for some time with a reportedly high success rate: almost three quarters of all ENE cases achieve a full or partial settlement. It is important to acknowledge that this is not

some new magic wand for resolving family conflict while circumventing the court process. ENE is not appropriate to all circumstances. For instance, settlement is not likely if the parties are already polarized and if an adverse opinion from an evaluator is likely to be ignored. In order for the ENE to have a chance of succeeding, the parties must be committed to solving problems rather than abrogating them to a judicial officer. Equally, if the case is beyond the early stages, it is unlikely that this process will work, not least because the parties are likely to be entrenched in their respective positions. However, it seems that the potential benefits of invoking this process at an early stage far outweigh failing to consider it. Along with early case management, early neutral evaluations are proving to be an effective settlement tool that result in earlier settlements with less rancour and fewer fees and costs. As such they can help a family come through the divorce process with as little financial emotional, damage as possible. The process itself is in its early stages in this country, but its addition to the growing armoury of dispute resolution tools will surely be welcomed.

LAW & FINANCE

Diverging central bank policy Barclays’ Michelle Steggles looks at what’s happening in the US and European markets.

ond prices are still rising, despite a brightening outlook for the global economy, and have caught many market participants off guard. Sovereign bonds are up in both the US and Europe, although they are rising faster in Europe due to continued economic problems.

EXPERT VIEW Michelle Steggles Private banker Barclays Web: www.barclays.com/wealth

US: path to lower prices Factors pushing up US Treasury prices include: falling treasury supply, spiking geopolitical tension, and dovish statements from the Federal Reserve (Fed). These factors are unlikely to last for long though, and prices should start to stabilise. There are many signals that suggest the US economy is on stronger footing, including second-quarter GDP which shows that the economy grew at a solid 4.2 per cent annualised rate. A detailed reading revealed that consumption and business spending, the key drivers of the economy, contributed 1.7 per cent and 1.0 per cent, respectively. More recent economic data, particularly on employment, gives reason for optimism. The July employment report showed a gain of 209,000 jobs, marking the sixth consecutive month in which payrolls have grown by more than 200,000. Strong economic sentiment can be seen in the recent meeting of the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) minutes. July’s post-meeting statement showed participants were hesitant to comment on employment data, illustrated by the FOMC Chair Janet Yellen, who delivered a neutral

speech on labour market dynamics. The disconnect between solid economic fundamentals and interest rates is not sustainable, and fixed income markets are beginning to price in a change in the federal funds target rate well in advance of rate hikes.

EU: prices unlikely to fall materially from current levels Euro zone and US inflation paths have been diverging since early this year, necessitating different policies from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Fed. In August, euro zone inflation fell to 0.3 per cent, its weakest level in nearly five years, raising concerns that the economy lacks the necessary momentum to bounce back from its weak growth. European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi, showed his concerns about persistently declining inflation during a recent speech, when he highlighted that the five-year forward euro zone inflation swap rate, had fallen below 2 per cent in August. Due to lower inflation expectations, and recent weaker data out of Europe, the perceived

probability of the ECB implementing full-blown quantitative easing (QE) has increased. If this happens, it is highly likely to result in European government bond prices remaining at current levels, or rising even further. The arguments about the legality of the bank directly purchasing sovereign bonds through any QE programme, will be both numerous and loud as the ECB has never used this option before. It’s important to note that should the ECB target sovereign bonds, it would not breach the treaties were the bonds purchased indirectly in the secondary market. A sovereign bond QE programme aimed at peripheral countries (i.e. Portugal) is likely to result in strong opposition from Germany’s Bundesbank, because it may undermine the Outright Monetary Transactions facility introduced in 2012, which remains unused. As economic growth has slowed materially, the ECB has tweaked its June package conditions by progressing towards asset-backed securities (ABS) purchases and has started discussing sovereign bond QE.

So what now? Monetary divergence between the ECB and Fed presumably will push bond prices in different directions. US prices are set to fall on better economic growth prospects, and EU prices are likely to be pushed up by the ECB’s expansionary monetary policy and positive bond fund flows in the region. Investors in European or US debt should consider selling their medium- and long-duration debt holdings, and purchasing shorter-dated bonds or incomeorientated stocks where possible.

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

LAW & FINANCE

Raising the Bar Founded in 1954, Trinity Chambers currently operates from its historic chambers at The Custom House on Newcastle’s Quayside, in addition to chambers in the heart of Middlesbrough. ead of Trinity and Crown Court Recorder, Toby Hedworth Q.C, who specialises in crime, regulatory and judicial review proceedings, has dealt with many high profile cases, including the prosecution of child killer, Robert Black and has acted in the first ever prosecution under the Terrorism Act for membership of a proscribed organisation, spearheaded Trinity’s move to The Custom House in 2004. Toby closely monitored the extensive renovations to the Grade || listed building using local businesses to ensure that the landmark building, part of Newcastle’s iconic Quayside, was preserved. These are exciting times for Trinity Chambers, with the much-anticipated Live Theatre Liveworks development, which is set to take place soon adjacent to Chambers. Despite the challenging economic climate, Toby has overseen the continued development of Trinity into a robust North East business, with nearly 80 barristers supported by 20 staff. Solicitors instruct barristers on behalf of clients to provide independent expert advice and advocacy at court, as well as drafting documents in cases involving complex legal issues. Barristers are essentially self-employed ‘tenants’, working under the structure and umbrella of chambers. Given its structure, the Bar is increasingly seen as a lean and cost effective business model. Through its specialist practice groups, Trinity covers a wide range of legal areas, including

agriculture, business, chancery, costs, crime, personal injury and clinical negligence, employment, family and matrimonial finance, immigration, licensing, Court of Protection, planning and regulatory. In response to client demand, Trinity has developed an Alternative Dispute Resolution team to deal with mediation and arbitration. Many of the practice groups are recognised in the leading Chambers UK and Legal 500 directories. Recent quotes include: “Highly regarded on the North-Eastern Circuit for complex chancery work. The set's chancery group handles a broad variety of matters, with members' expertise sought out in relation to property, probate, trusts and estates, and landlord and tenant disputes”; “Its business law team covers the full spectrum of commercial litigation, including construction and engineering disputes, insolvency matters and commercial judicial review. Its members represent a variety of clients, ranging from professional organisations to local authorities and government departments. Solicitors appreciate the courtesy of the clerking team and speak highly of the consistency and quality of its practitioners”; “Renowned for its expertise across all aspects of family law, its members are commended for their fantastic span of specialist family law knowledge, which ranges from complex ancillary relief to the heavy end of children's proceedings, including international abductions and

sensitive public law cases”; “A strong, switched-on family law set”; “Trinity Chambers’ ‘employment group is a clear leader in the North East”. The key to Trinity Chambers’ success has been its long and established relationship with its local client base. In line with the region’s other industries, the legal market is under significant pressure from outside the North East. Toby Hedworth, the barristers and staff at Trinity have long held the view that the business remains loyal to the region. This is reflected in Trinity’s engagement of local contractors and suppliers, ranging from web designers, builders, decorators, to IT and telecommunications support and accountants. The barristers and staff at Trinity strongly believe that the region’s businesses should support each other and contribute to the North East’s economy. “The North East continues to produce hugely talented people,” says Toby. “At Trinity, we thrive on harnessing that talent to provide the fullest range of expert barristers to service the requirements of the businesses and individuals of this community.” For further details about Trinity Chambers, please contact practice director, Simon Stewart, on (0191) 232 1927, email simon.stewart@trinitychambers.co.uk or visit www.trinitychambers.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

Business valuations reach eight-year high Cavu’s Shawn Bone looks at the impact of increased mergers and acquisitions. n my last article I talked about the pressure on both large corporates and private equity firms to deploy their cash, which is driving increased M&A (mergers and acquisitions) activity. This month I’m focusing on the effect that this increased activity is having on the valuations of businesses being acquired, as the logical consequence of the increased appetite for deals should be an increase in prices paid, with buyers competing to acquire the most attractive assets. Recent data bears this out. According to the latest Argos Mid-Market Index, published by Argos Soditic and Epsilon Research, transactions across Europe in the £12m-£125m deal space were valued at an average 8.6x EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation) in the second quarter of 2014. This marks the highest point reached by the index since the second half of 2006, when the average multiple stood at 9.1x EBITDA. That is good news for sellers. While buyer appetite has increased markedly over the last 12 months, part of the reason behind the recent trend in valuations is the

EXPERT VIEW Shawn Bone Director Cavu Corporate Finance Tel: (0191) 255 7772 Email: shawnbone@cavucf.com Web: www.cavucf.com

scarcity of high-quality businesses coming to market – in other words supply is not matching demand. For those considering either raising development capital to boost the growth of their business, selling their business, or a combination of the two, then now is the right time to start putting those plans into action. We expect over the next six to 12 months to see an increased number of sellers coming to the market to take advantage of the market conditions. At Cavu Corporate Finance we specialise in helping shareholders and management teams to realise their plans. We have deep experience of advising shareholders who may wish to sell their business and of raising finance (debt and/or equity) for those companies that wish to continue with their expansion. Whether you wish to maximise the valuation of your business or obtain the best financing terms, market conditions have now improved significantly. If you are considering either selling your business or raising development capital, contact the team at Cavu Corporate Finance for expert advice.

LAW & FINANCE

Saving for retirement? What the pension changes mean for you, by David Smith – financial planning director at Tilney Bestinvest.

EXPERT VIEW David Smith Financial planning director Tilney Bestinvest. Tel: (0191) 269 9970 Email: david.smith@tilneybestinvest.co.uk

he Chancellor has stripped away layers of complex legislation for those at and in retirement, but what do the proposed changes mean for those still saving for retirement?

resulted in pensions being unloved. Swap the need to buy an annuity with being able to do what you like with your money and the whole proposition becomes a lot more interesting.

Back in the limelight

Time to rethink how you save for the future?

Perhaps the most important change is psychological. Pensions should be seen purely as a tax-efficient means of building a pot of money that will be used to support your lifestyle when you reduce or stop working. This is what a personal pension has always been. But the complex rules, the requirement to buy an annuity and in certain circumstances you could lose a lifetime's savings when you die, all

We believe that people will revisit pensions and that a sound savings strategy is to build up a number of savings pots: an ISA account, a pension account and possibly a general investment account to use Capital Gains Tax allowances. Significant sums can be accumulated in taxadvantaged portfolios and when the time comes to draw on your funds, the withdrawal strategy can

be adjusted to ensure continuing tax efficiency as while pension income is subject to Income Tax, ISA withdrawals are tax free. It’s a simple fact that your future quality of life is directly related to the performance of your investments. In spite of this, it is not uncommon to find people who are very focused on their ISA investments but seem far less concerned about their pension funds. Invariably we see pension funds ‘left behind’ with old employers that haven’t been reviewed for years. We are very positive about the pension rule changes, as much for savers as those at retirement. Hopefully pensions will soon be regarded as what they should be: a long-term investment account that will be used to finance your future lifestyle.

The value of investments, and the income derived from them, can go down as well as up and you can get back less than you originally invested. Tax rates are subject to change. This article is not advice to invest or to use our services. If you are in doubt as to the suitability of an investment then you should seek professional advice. The Tilney Bestinvest Group of Companies comprises the firms Bestinvest (Brokers) Ltd (Reg. No. 2830297), Tilney Investment Management (Reg. No. 02010520), Bestinvest (Consultants) Ltd (Reg. No. 1550116) and HW Financial Services Ltd (Reg. No. 02030706) all of which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 6 Chesterfield Gardens, Mayfair, W1J 5BQ. Issued by Bestinvest (Brokers) Limited

LAW & FINANCE

Confessions of a CF adviser When it comes to business owners’ excuses for not engaging with Automatic Enrolement, Three Counties’ Johnathan Bray has heard them all!

hen meeting with various employers over the past few years regarding Automatic Enrolment, I have happened across every excuse not to follow the rule book. The following paragraphs highlight some of the issues that have appeared along the way:

I don’t have to do anything yet Often heard and often true to a certain extent, but in the case of one company I encountered, the exact opposite was true. Sure, the company only has five ‘proper employees’ but they also more than 80 temps with various government agencies, all of which would merrily sever their agreements if their ‘supplier’ was looking to ignore the new pension rules. The employer in question has chosen to use postponement but failed to realise that postponement only delays the first payment into the pension scheme and not their responsibilities.

My staff will opt out One employer I have dealt with made the bold statement that over 50 per cent of his workforce would opt out and used that insight to fix his business plans and contracts for the next three years. In this case, the employer offered access to a Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme for his permanent employees and an automatic enrolment scheme for his contract staff. However what surprised the employer was that only 8 per cent of his contract staff opted out, this has led to a massive cut in the very small margins he has with his major clients. Thankfully the company is financially strong and will be able to renegotiate their contracts in the medium term.

We need training and we need it NOW Sadly, this is a poor reflection against the pensions industry. A client company operates four payrolls over five sites with the head office finance department responsible for policy and procedure. They needed to get hands-on training on the assessment tool several months in advance to ensure that their new procedures were robust and that adequate training was provided. The nameless pension provider refused to grant access until three weeks prior to their staging date. I won’t be recommending them for a very long time! Thankfully, due to our own procedures and assistance, the client company wasn’t exposed to the risks of failing to meet their obligations.

We will only communicate by email Again, another poor reflection against the pension industry, but a number of providers will only email the regulatory communications rather than post them. There really isn’t a solution to technological aversion/inertia however one employer set up a company email address for every employee and granted them access to a computer and printer to access the information and another changed their WIFI access code and would only grant access on receipt of a current email address – it was amazing the speed of response by switching off access to Facebook/Twitter/William Hill etc.

Is Mr Smith OK? Rather more serious note to this one, a member of staff who I will call Mr Smith wanted to opt out of his employer’s Automatic Enrolment scheme, so followed the procedure of contacting the pension provider who duly sent

him an opt out form which he signed and asked his employer to post for him. So far, so good. The employer, or more accurately, the lady in the finance department, took a photocopy of the form before sending it to the product provider, still all good. What happened next is where the wheel fell off! A further copy was taken and all of the personal details were removed before several more copies were made and left for other employees to complete and post to the pension provider. After three weeks, the pension provider called the employer to enquire as to Mr Smith’s mental health as he had opted more than 20 times that month. The form which had been copied contained a unique barcode that effected the opt-out rather than someone keying in all of the member’s information. This could have led to a penalty notice and fine, up to £10,000 per day, from The Pensions Regulator for failing to comply. The pension provider, however, recorded it as a clerical error and saved the employer from what could have been an expensive mistake.

Summary We have worked with these clients, sometimes despite their best efforts in some cases, to ensure they meet the new legislative requirements and thankfully with our input, they have successfully passed their staging dates and are continuing comply with the rules. We strongly believe that advice is a necessary part of the world of Automatic Enrolment, not only because of the issues highlighted above but also to assist employers design, implement and operate within the legislation. For more information visit www.threecounties.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE Left to right: Gordon Brown’s Daniel Hall, Wendy Peffers, Sophie Gray and Charlotte Munroe.

Giving back Gordon Brown Law Firm recognises the value of time. team of five solicitors and support staff swapped their office attire for overalls and paint brushes, while redecorating one of North Tyneside’s esteemed community resources. Gordon Brown has paired up with local charity, The Percy Hedley Foundation, in a voluntary scheme where time is valued as an equivalent to monetary donations, to redecorate one of their activity rooms. The Linskill Centre is one of Percy Hedley’s main locations in North Shields which provides facilities and services for recreation, training and learning for people with disabilities. The activity room, used specifically for integrated therapies, such as speech, language and physiotherapy, has been on the waiting list for restoration for a number of months and has finally been treated to rejuvenation, in the capable hands of Gordon Brown Law Firm’s charitable employees. Sandra Cockburn, acting project manager

at The Linskill Centre says: “Our ambition is to have a purpose built centre for people with multiple disabilities, but with limited funds for redecoration we rely heavily on volunteers to help support our services. Their time is valuable to us and they make a huge difference. “The demand for the services we offer here at The Linskill Centre continues to increase as more and more people get to know what we do. With the ongoing redecoration, the facilities have become more aesthetically and functionally pleasing, presenting us with further opportunities to service the local community.” Changes to the activity room have been carefully considered for people with autism, due to even the slightest of changes to the environment acting as a potential trigger for anxiety. As a result the walls have been transformed using soft green paint and new flooring will be laid. The colours are a reflection of Percy

Hedley’s brand colours, while soft green soothes those on the autistic spectrum. Deb Tweedy, HR manager for Gordon Brown Law Firm, says: “When it comes to supporting charities it’s often overlooked that giving time is equally as valuable to organisations as money can be. “It’s not always about fundraising – sometimes getting your hands dirty is all it takes, knowing that the end result is going to benefit so many people.” Gordon Brown has been working with the Percy Hedley Foundation for five years, in addition to a number of other North East charities, providing support in various guises. Their most recent fundraising venture – in aid of their long-term charity partner – took the form of a family fun day, as part of the Foundation’s Challenge 500 competition. To keep up to date on Gordon Brown Law Firm’s fundraising events, visit: http://gblf.co.uk/category/charity-work/

LAW & FINANCE

Internal sources of funding Lucy Elliott from Tait Walker looks at the options available to businesses. ll too often when seeking funding, companies automatically approach external providers of finance instead of considering whether it is possible to generate cash from internal resources. Although frequently overlooked, internal sources have the advantage of being much less expensive and taking less time to secure. So if you’re looking for working capital to fund growth, money to invest in new plant and machinery, or the ability to meet new orders and enter new markets, first consider if it is possible to generate cash through existing internal resources.

R&D tax credits

Many North East companies are still missing out on claiming tax relief for R&D activity. It was reported earlier this month that there is great scope in the region for a much more focused uptake of the scheme. This enhanced tax relief enables companies to claim relief at up to twice the value on costs associated with research and development activities. The Tait Walker tax team has completed more than 300 R&D Tax Relief claims since November 2011, securing more than £13.8 million in cash rebates for our clients.

Working capital improvements Many companies still underestimate the importance of good working capital management as a route to generate cash from internal resources. Working capital is a significant lever for creating value and with proper working capital management strategies (reducing stockholding and debtors, and agreeing increased creditor terms) businesses can unlock cash for more productive uses. This reduces a company’s dependence on outside funding and offers flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

EXPERT VIEW Lucy Elliott Associate director Tait Walker Tel: (0191) 285 0321

Grants It is always worth considering the opportunity for grant assistance. Grants are a valuable source of cash that you won't have to repay. The North East is privileged to have good access to grants, including the Technology Strategy Board, the Let’s Grow campaign, Regional Growth Fund and ARCH. Another popular form of grant for businesses investing in equipment is the Assisted Asset Purchase Scheme.

LAW & FINANCE

Business angels Brewin Dolphin investment manager, Thomas Smith, looks at why people are choosing to invest in unproven start-up companies.

or many years business angels have stepped in to support an entrepreneur’s dream to start or develop a company at an early stage of its life. Business angels are often family and friends or successful entrepreneurs looking for another business opportunity and investment can be anything from a few thousand to millions of pounds. A lot of investors will never see a penny returned but accept the risk because of the small possibility of striking lucky and backing a hugely successful story. History is filled with stories of individuals who accepted the risks and reaped huge rewards. In 1977 Ian McGlinn provided around £4000 to the Body Shop founder Anita Roddick to open a second shop. He was awarded half of the equity in the business for his support. The company’s success grew quickly and it floated in 1984 with McGlinns stake worth around £4 million. When he eventually sold his stake in 2006, it was worth an impressive £146m. Celebrity angel investment is particularly in vogue, and a celebrity profile can quickly raise the image of the venture. American actor Ashton Kutcher has famously had success with a number of technology startups including Skype, Foursquare and Airbnb, amongst others. He is now regarded as a star business angel and blog articles can be found advising ‘how to attract Ashton Kutcher’. There are a raft of celebrities who have used their brand to support a start-up including Lady Gaga and Kanye West, who have both invested in Turntable FM, while Leonardo DiCaprio

EXPERT VIEW Thomas Smith Investment Manager Brewin Tel: (0191) 279 7783 Email: Thomas.Smith@brewin.co.uk

and Serena Williams have invested in photo and video sharing company Mobli. However, a celebrity backer isn’t the only ingredient to success as highlighted by Stephen Fry’s experience with Pushnote. The IT start-up he supported folded after only 18 months. Recent years have seen the landscape of business angel investment change with the development of crowdfunding, a potential new avenue for early stage investment. Crowdfunding uses an online platform to present projects and collect funds from the man on the street. Projects can be either serious investment proposals or not for profit bids to collect funds for any reason the proposer wishes. Therefore, crowdfunding is a broad term that covers donations with no expected return, donations where backers receive products or exclusive rewards, standard lending and investment for an equity stake. Projects can range from financially viable businesses to an utterly crazy project, such as Zack ‘Danger’ Brown raising $36,000 to make a potato salad. Setting aside the donation element of crowdfunding, business funding from these sites is growing at a vast rate that only appears to

be quickening. The amount lent by peer-to-peer sites was approximately $3bn in 2013, up from around $100m in 2007. Success stories are also growing significantly, with businesses and investors reaping the rewards from the development of these platforms. Like celebrity backers, a benefit of crowdfunding is the ability to raise public awareness of the company, product, or project with successful stories snowballing quickly in today’s interconnected world. The British Government has recognised the importance of encouraging potential UK business angels through two tax-efficient investment schemes – the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). Both offer very generous tax breaks because of the risks involved and projects on crowdfunding sites are often registered as an EIS or SEIS. Business angel investment will always be an option in the attempt to develop start ups into mature profitable entities, either through traditional means or through crowdfunding sites. When discussing angel investment one must always bear in mind thatm, like a gambler’s tale, you will only ever hear of the winners rather than the losers. The returns of Ian McGlinn and Ashton Kutcher should only be considered alongside the names you don’t hear of; the anonymous individuals whose fortunes have been wiped out. Investment in early stage businesses carries vast risk and any business angels in such ventures should be well aware of the potential to lose all of their investment.

INTERVIEW

In the boss’s chair

Ian Wilkinson

Managing director, Rutherford Wilkinson Ltd Briefly, what has been your career to date? My entire career has been spent in this fascinating profession. From the age of 17 I have really known nothing else. I started as a trainee learning all of the back office stuff, progressed to report writing and then to providing face-to-face advice. A few years, and a few grey hairs later, I find myself managing one of the most successful and profitable Independent Financial Advice practices in the North of England.

Why did you decide to start Rutherford Wilkinson? It all started with my father in 1985. He had an accountancy background and identified there was a a gap in the market for a fee-based financial planning service. His vision continues past his mortal years and Rutherford Wilkinson now represents everything he stood for. What my late father started as a ‘one man band’ has now grown to just short of 50 staff. Having him as my mentor in the early years, and knowing he would be proud of what I have achieved along the way has always been a huge inspiration and motivation for me.

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

The ability to see past the current problems and get down to what’s really important for either an individual or more often than not, a small to medium sized business.

What’s been your highlight in your role? There have been numerous highlights in my role, including overseeing the rapid growth at RW between 2004 and 2008, which saw turnover increase by 2.75 times and profits by 12 times, our assets under management increasing beyond £500 million, but probably the one I regard the most was being appointed as group practice director for Perspective Financial Group, who are a top 15 national IFA firm.

How has the financial industry changed since you began in the industry? Quite dramatically. I remember dad spending £5000 in 1988 to buy one of the first ever mobile phones, which weighed a ton and hardly ever worked! On a more serious side, the financial services profession is now remunerated by fees and not commission, which was one of the first and leading principles instilled into me.

What makes RW ltd different? Firstly, we are Independent Financial Advisers, which means we work for the client, not a bank or insurance company. Unlike many financial advisers and wealth managers, we are able to advise clients in respect of all investment products, from across the whole of the market, and are not restricted to certain providers. Secondly, we are a firm of Chartered Financial Planners. Rather than me extolling the virtues of being a chartered firm, of which there are many, I would encourage clients looking for advice to perhaps ask other firms why they aren’t? It might just be an eye opener!! And lastly, we specialise and have dedicated teams delivering specialist advice to clients. We believe that the ‘one adviser does everything’ model is out-dated and to provide top class advice in a given area advisers need to specialise.

What are your short and long-term plans for RW ltd? To continue to grow the business in a controlled manner, both by acquisition and organic growth, and to increase our share of the North East market. For more information visit www.rwpfg.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

Care fee planning Sarah O’Hare, associate solicitor at Hay & Kilner, looks at some common misconceptions surrounding the cost of care.

EXPERT VIEW Sarah O’Hare Associate solicitor Hay & Kilner, Tel: (0191) 232 8345 Email: sarah.ohare@hay-kilner.co.uk

Capital thresholds Currently, someone with capital more than £23,250 is liable to pay the full cost of their care while capital of less than £14,250 is completely disregarded. Income is also relevant. A person with capital of between £14,250 and £23,250 is assumed to have an income of £1 per week for every £250 of capital above £14,250. New rules, which are not yet in force, will increase the capital threshold to £118,500 and introduce a lifetime cap on care costs of £72,000. Contrary to common understanding, this will only cover the cost of the actual care that is provided and not so-called ‘hotel costs’ (bed and board) which will be subject to a separate limit of £12,000 per year.

Treatment of the family home Where one spouse goes into care the value of the property will be disregarded while the other spouse remains in occupation. Disregards can also apply where the property is occupied by another relative, provided certain conditions are met. Many people wrongly assume that they will be forced to sell their property to pay

their care fees. In reality, a Local Authority will either take a charge over the property or agree a deferred payment scheme, so that fees will be paid later when the property is eventually sold.

Giving the family home away Many people are unaware of the risks to their security of occupation if they make an outright gift of their property. They could be evicted or be forced to pay rent. The property could also be at risk if the new owner were to die, divorce or be declared bankrupt. A Local Authority has the ability to consider whether someone has deliberately deprived themselves of an asset with the intention of avoiding/limiting their liability to pay for care. Contrary to popular belief, this ability is not limited to transactions within the last seven years. If the gift is made within six months of someone moving into residential care, a Local Authority has power to require the recipient of the gift to fund the care costs from the property received. Gifts outside of this period can be set aside under insolvency rules. There are also tax consequences associated with an outright gift both in terms of the

inheritance tax position of the donor’s estate and the capital gains tax position for the new owner on any subsequent sale.

Putting the property into trust The whole property can be placed into a trust created during the donor’s lifetime. Alternatively, in the case of a couple, ownership of the property can be altered so that the half share owned by whoever dies first can pass into a trust at that stage. The terms of the trust can vary. A lifetime trust offers the potential for the whole of the property to be protected from financial attack, but there is also a risk that it could be challenged under the deprivation of asset rules. A trust created following the first death is less open to challenge, but the protection is limited to one half of the property and will be of little use if both parties ultimately require care. There are both inheritance tax and capital gains tax implications to consider with any trust.These vary depending upon the nature of the trust and the point in time that it is created. Trusts are complex legal structures that should not be contemplated without appropriate professional advice first being obtained.

LAW & FINANCE Left to right: Duncan Edward (Falcons), Iona Sims (Sintons), Steven Rogers (Falcons) and Alex Rayner (Sintons).

Newcastle Falcons goes 3G The rugby club installs a state-of-the-art synthetic pitch, with some help from Sintons.

aw firm Sintons has provided the legal support for Newcastle Falcons to become the first professional sports club in the North East – and only the second in their league – to install a 3G synthetic pitch as their main surface. The traditional grass pitch at Kingston Park is now being replaced with an innovative artificial rugby turf, and will be ready in time for the start of the Falcons’ new 2014-15 season in the Aviva Premiership. It has been replaced after the grass surface at Kingston Park experienced a number of issues last season. With the installation of the artificial turf – which was carried out by Cumbrian artificial pitch specialists SIS Pitches – it is hoped the pitch can now be made available for community use on and around match days. The old turf will now be used to resurface the training pitch at the stadium.

Specialist construction solicitor Alex Rayner at Newcastle-based Sintons handled the building contract for the project, with Iona Sims, head of Sintons’ specialist sports division, overseeing all commercial work. Sintons has a long-standing relationship with the Falcons, and is its legal advisor as well as being one of the main club sponsors. Sintons also sponsors Will Welch, captain of the Falcons, as well as Falcons Academy and England Under-18s star Sean Brown. Mick Hogan, managing director of Newcastle Falcons, says: “The new pitch will provide a consistent and high quality surface for our players to perform on throughout the season. “It will transform match-days at Kingston Park and we are grateful to Sintons for their legal expertise in making this project happen. “There will be community use prior to the

main game, and then the opportunity for supporters to come onto the pitch post-match and re-create some of the action themselves!” Alex Rayner says: “We are very pleased to have been involved in this exciting project. This pitch is the most up-to-date of its kind in the region and, as well as providing a better surface for rugby to be played, it will greatly benefit sport in the North East, particularly at a grassroots level through increased community use.” Iona Sims adds: “Through our specialist sports division, we are able to offer legal support on a full range of issues to sporting clubs, organisations and individuals of all levels. “The construction of the Falcons’ new pitch is an ambitious project, but one which looks to deliver many benefits to both the club and for the local community too. We wish them the best of luck for the season ahead.”

LAW & FINANCE

Protecting the

family wealth Peter Rutherford of Universal Tax Strategies looks at the issue of Inheritance Tax if you remarry.

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

recently met new clients, a married couple, who wanted to discuss Inheritance Tax (IHT) and structure their affairs so the family, or rather the bloodline, retained as much of the wealth they had created as possible. Their issues were that they had a portfolio of shares that were pregnant with gains so if they gave them away, not only would they lose access to their money, they would also be liable for a significant Capital Gains Tax (CGT) bill. Their other concern was that the children were in second marriages but their children, the clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; grandchildren, were from first marriages. As much as they liked their new in-laws they did not want the grandchildren being disenfranchised after their deaths either through the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s divorce or the parent predeceasing the new partner. Clearly their fear is that the new in-laws could inherit some of their wealth and then remarry or benefit their own children of a previous marriage. This situation is not unusual. We all know of the high incidence of divorce and second, or even third marriages. It would be very easy for a surviving spouse to inherit from their deceased partner and

then to show bias towards their own children in their will. So how do we solve these problems? Occasionally we have to accept that there are times when we cannot provide exactly what the client wants and that there has to be compromise. This is one of those cases. We can address the protection of the bloodline by recommending that their wills are redrawn and instead of leaving money or other assets directly to their children and grandchildren, the bulk of the estate is left to a discretionary trust for the potential benefit of the children and grandchildren and the bloodline. A discretionary trust means that no individual has a right to income or assets. Any distributions are at the discretion of the trustees. Any distributions could be by way of loans to a beneficiary. The funds so released are not then part of the beneficiaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assets in the event of divorce, bankruptcy or on death for IHT purposes. Looking at our clients they can have control beyond the grave. By using a discretionary trust and leaving a letter of wishes (which the trustees are not obliged to follow) stating that they would be happy for loans to be made to potential beneficiaries but that the interests of future generations are

to be protected, they can be confident that money will stay in the bloodline. Clearly the trustees have a crucial role here so it is important to choose wisely. Family can be trustees and it is probably correct that they are represented. However, I would recommend that an independent professional or, at the very least, a trusted friend is also included. Such trustees are more likely to follow the basic tenet of any letter of wishes as they are not included in the list of potential beneficiaries so have no axe to grind or monetary incentive to act against these wishes. A well-drafted discretionary trust is one of the most useful, and in my view undervalued, weapons in the armoury of a family with some wealth or a need to protect family assets. Please note that we are not talking about multi-millionaires here. I stated that these clients had two concerns and I am conscious that there is not enough space available here to consider their IHT planning. That is something we can return to in another article. Suffice to say that anything we recommend to reduce the IHT liability will not contradict the recommendation of a discretionary trust created through their wills.

LAW & FINANCE

Confidence in a crisis Andrew Cawkwell on how to keep calm when a storm hits. he Great North Run showed that when ordinary people work together it can lead to extraordinary things. It’s like that in business. It’s not always plainsailing and when a financial storm hits, difficult decisions are hard to make. Confusion, pressure and anxiety can all cause instablity, but it’s what you do next that matters. But it can be hard to know which direction to take. As a dually qualified and certified turnaround professional regulated by the SRA, I can map the way forward with the company to set you on a better course. As your adviser I can look at where you are and where you want to be. By preparing a strategic plan together, it will give you the confidence to make decisions and help you believe you’ll get there. Over the years, Muckle LLP has helped many businesses in similar situations, so we already have strategies that work and viewpoints on what can be delivered. I’ve spent time developing a trusted network of business people to help reduce

EXPERT VIEW Andrew Cawkwell Partner Muckle LLP Email: Andrew.Cawkwell@muckle-llp.com Twitter: @CompanyRescue

costs for businesses, prepare cash flows and develop business cases. The earlier you look at things, the more options remain. Recently I was engaged by a charity looking to stay afloat in light of potential funding cuts. I was asked to look at where the business was in terms of its ability to generate revenue and increase fundraising activity. Working with a firm of accountants who carried out the financial analysis, I was able to deliver a range of options for the trustees and CEO to consider, including areas where the charity could generate additional revenue. The charity started working with schools to deliver paid workshops and training sessions which has led to another revenue stream flowing into the business. As a result, I am now working closely with trustees as they continue with our agreed strategy to refocus and improve the business. Without my early guidance and critical evaluation at an early stage, the charity could have ultimately failed.

LAW & FINANCE

Kevin Laing (Angel) and Paul Gainford (RMT)

Bigger fish to fry Angel of Corbridge makes six figure investment in a high class fish and chip shop, with the help of RMT. six-figure investment is set to give a Tynedale town its first taste of great fish and chips. The Angel Inn at Corbridge, has made a six figure investment in converting and refurbishing one of the 260 year-old pub's outbuildings to create Angelfish, a new fish and chip shop which will share The Angel's philosophy of predominantly using only the best local produce. Three full-time jobs have been created at the new shop, which is scheduled to start welcoming customers from Tuesday August 12 and which will open from Tuesdays to Saturdays through the year. A range of Angel wines will be on offer to

accompany meals, along with beers from Wylam Brewery, who are also supplying ingredients for the batter in which the fish will be fried. Angelfish sits alongside The Angel's other offerings, which include a recently-refurbished restaurant and bar, 15 bedrooms and a selfcontained apartment. The operators of the Angel also opened the family-friendly Little Angel Café in The Queen's Hall in Hexham at the end of 2013 as part of extending the Angel brand outside Corbridge and has the next café lined up for Darras Hall. Long-term advisor RMT Accountants and Business Advisors worked with the Angel

directors on the financial aspects of the fish and chip's development. Kevin Laing, managing director at the Angel Inn, says: "The Angel is a consistently-growing operation, attracting customers from both the local area and across and outside the wider region, and adding this extra string to its bow is going to help us achieve even more here." Paul Gainford at RMT Accountants and Business Advisors, adds: "A great deal of thought and planning has gone into creating a fish and chip outlet that matches the character of The Angel, and its design, location and branding will combine to give it an outstanding chance of becoming hugely successful."

RMT regains title he Corporate Finance team at RMT Accountants & Business Advisors has been named as the best in the region for the second time in three years. Having been chosen as Corporate Finance Advisory Team of the Year at the Insider North East Dealmakers Awards in 2012, the RMT team beat a shortlist of five industry rivals to pick up the 2014 award in front of an audience of over 400 professional services industry peers at the Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel in Newcastle. Mike Pott MD at RMT says: “Our Corporate Finance team has had an extremely strong year,

helping businesses of all sizes and types to achieve their acquisition, disposal and investment ambitions and picking up this honour for the second time in three years is a great recognition of the teams dedication and energy. “It’s also a clear testament to the focus and ambition of the clients with whom we work, who are creating and sustaining employment across the region by taking a proactive approach to their commercial development.

For more information, please visit www.r-m-t.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

A cautionary tale? What happens in divorce cases if one partner isn't telling the whole truth? Ward Hadaway Family Law expert Kayliegh Richardson looks at one recent case that sheds new light on the issue. ossible concealment is not a new issue in divorce and finance proceedings, where there is often a reliance on husbands and wives to volunteer information. This issue has come to the forefront in recent times due to high profile cases, including Young v Young. Property developer Scot Young and his wife separated in 2006. Mr Young is reported to have hidden assets amounting to ÂŁ45 million during the financial proceedings. He was criticised for having misled the court to a "significant extent" and served a six-month prison sentence for failing to comply with a court order to disclose financial details. Mrs Young however was also criticised for having "raised issues which [the Judge] found to be completely unfounded", adding significantly to the costs involved in the case. Both parties were criticised for their conduct and the impact that observing this behaviour would have on their children. The judge decided that ÂŁ5 million should be deducted from the assets available in order to

EXPERT VIEW Kayliegh Richardson Solicitor Ward Hadaway Tel: (0191) 204 4475 Email: kayliegh.richardson@wardhadaway.com

settle Mr Young's debts and the rest of the money should be split 50/50, with his wife receiving a lump sum of ÂŁ20 million. Mrs Young was reportedly very disappointed, believing her husband had actually hidden assets amounting to "a few billion" during the proceedings, a suggestion deemed fanciful by the judge. Some consolation could have been sought from the judge's order that this lump sum be paid to her within 28 days. This case demonstrates that the family court has extensive powers and will penalise parties where it thinks fit, including if necessary, by imposing prison sentences. Many will find it difficult, however, to fund the cost of experts attempting to uncover their spouse's true financial position and concealment continues to be a significant hurdle for spouses in this type of proceedings. Unfortunately, it remains a question of how much money suspicious spouses are willing to pay in an effort to uncover the unknown?

LAW & FINANCE Left to right: Danny Sharpe; Ian Holmes; Jean Sharpe; Alex Rayner; Alok Loomba

A star company Northstar has developed national portfolio with the help of Newcastle-based law firm Sintons. specialist development and project management business which started life in the North East has grown to become one of the leading players in the care sector, overseeing the development of over ,000 beds in new multi-million pound projects across the UK. Northstar was set up in 2007 by Danny Sharpe and Ian Holmes to support developers in creating state-of-the-art care homes, advising throughout the duration of the project on all aspects of the development. Since that time, the business has overseen major developments throughout the UK, becoming one of the leading operators of its kind in the South. Some of its most recent projects include a £10m development in Bedford, of which phase one is due to complete in November, as well as having schemes on site or in development in Gloucester, Norwich, Sussex,

Norfolk, Hastings, Bournemouth and Glasgow. Northstar’s work in its native North East – where Danny hails from, and Ian is now based – includes care home developments in Stocksfield, South Shields, Sunderland, Redcar and Harrogate. And the business also has a raft of new projects in the pipeline, with 2014 proving a particularly busy year for the care home sector, as both confidence and funding continue to return to the market. Northstar is a specialist in the entire process of creating care homes, doing everything from overseeing design, managing the project, buying the land, managing the construction process and handing over a Care Quality Commission (CQC) compliant building. Danny Sharpe says: “We work throughout the country to design and deliver new five-star stateof-the-art care facilities, and source most of our

talent from the North of England to do so. “Not only is the North East very well regarded for its expertise in the care home sector – particularly since the 1980s and 1990s when the region began to lead the way on specialist developments of this kind – but through operating from here, we can offer an outstanding yet cost effective service.” Northstar have worked with Newcastle-based law firm Sintons on many of its projects. Alok Loomba, partner in Real Estate at Sintons, adds: “Ian and Danny are very well known and respected for their work in the care home development sector, and they have assembled an extremely able team around them which has made Northstar into one of the key players in its sector. We have worked together on numerous projects over the years and already have several others which promise to come to fruition in the coming months.”

A caring firm ... he care team at Sintons enjoys a national reputation for its work, and has overseen some of the most significant and high profile deals in the North East and beyond in recent months. The highly experienced team, led by partner Christopher Welch (pictured), acts for many of the largest care operators across the region, and boasts an expert knowledge of the sector. In the past few months alone, Sintons’ care team has advised on a host of major transactions regionally and nationally, including an acquisition by Manchester-based Creative Support – a £100m turnover organisation with 5,000 employees nationally – to affirm its position as one of the UK’s biggest social care providers. The team also oversaw the

restructuring of the Malhotra Group, which resulted in the group revealing plans to invest £57m in care. Christopher Welch says: “Sintons works with businesses and organisations in the care sector throughout the UK, and we have an enviable reputation for our expertise in what is a very specialist area. “Our in-depth knowledge and understanding of the sector means we can advise our clients on both a legal and practical level, and in many situations build long-term relationships with them as a result.”

Contact Christopher Welch on (0191) 226 7831 or email Christopher.welch@sintons.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

Are the numbers right? Vinay Bedi of UBS Wealth Management looks at what statistics are really telling us. ollowing a Bank of England meeting recently, I found myself thinking about League Football in the mid 70s. I recalled those romantic grounds: the dark wooden stands oozing atmosphere, the floodlight mists, the unforgettable smell of bovril and fags. Ayresome Park, Roker Park, even the original St James' – they all enjoyed some great moments and, surprisingly, bearing in mind that they weren't built of concrete, providing soulless concourses and overpriced fizzy beer, they enjoyed some pretty serious attendances at times as well. In those days we were experts at estimating the attendance. We were there every other week. We knew the market. And I wasn’t the only one who had a feeling that the ‘official’ attendance figures were significantly less than our best guess estimates. So, as the Bank of England was discussing the great economic anomaly of our times - why is unemployment falling and yet wages are not rising? I was recalling why ‘published’ attendance figures frequently failed to match the number we,

EXPERT VIEW Vinay Bedi Executive Director UBS Wealth Management Tel: (0191) 211 1015. Email: vinay.bedi@ubs.com Web: www.ubs.com/uk

the fans, had actually believed to be in the ground. Something was beginning to tell me that it isn’t the economic theory that's wrong but maybe it's the figures that are the issue here. We all know people who don’t have an official job of work but are not actually signing on. A friend of mine hasn't worked for around 15 years. She had settled down with her new partner, had a baby and simply not returned to the labour market. She was never classified as unemployed. Now she has been offered a job and has decided to take it. She got lucky. Her father hasn’t had such luck. He is a fit yet elderly gentleman. He has finally given up trying to find a suitable job and he is now considered to be retired as opposed to unemployed. Yet he wants to work. This is not a walk up football crowd, supposedly paying cash at the turnstile. This is economic data that is almost impossible to get perfectly right. Invariably, the feeling is just as credible as the ‘statistic’ and our feeling is that the economy is improving, for now, and that is probably what the Bank of England was really trying to get across.

Authorised and regulated by Financial Market Supervisory Authority in Switzerland. In the United Kingdom, UBS AG is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and is subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.

LAW & FINANCE

The return to growth Andrew Little, partner and restructuring specialist at Rowlands Accountants, discusses some of the issues businesses are facing and shares his advice for navigating the upturn. You’re a partner in the Restructuring and Insolvency team at Rowlands Accountants. From your experience over the last six months, would you agree the UK is moving out of recession? Business confidence has blossomed since the end of 2013 and that’s backed by a number of national confidence indexes. Even in the North East, there is a groundswell of opinion suggesting things are getting better. However we are still seeing a number of struggling businesses that have fought to remain in the marketplace but haven’t yet seen the upturn other parts of the country have experienced. Retail and leisure remain the hardest hit and will continue to struggle without a clear and attractive offer.

What challenges do businesses face as the upturn takes hold? SMEs continue to believe they cannot access bank finance. In fact, the statistics tell a different story – lending has risen across the economy, UK bankers' confidence is the highest in Europe, and the Bank of England’s own data shows a rise in lending to small businesses. Businesses are also concerned about potential increases in rates and tax. Continued control of inflation has slightly reduced pressure on the Bank to raise rates, but the tax burden will continue to be an issue.

How can companies navigate this challenging time? The Government must implement policies encouraging the creation of sustainable jobs. The austerity of last few years seems to be bringing this about – but not without issues. Businesses face challenges on many levels; in parts of the UK, affordable housing may stifle growth, others face skills shortages. There are also supply chain issues in the construction sector. A significant danger during the recovery is overtrading. It’s all very well winning business but without adequate human and financial working capital, it’s difficult to fulfil these hard won orders. Effective debt management and credit control are essential. It may be worth considering leasing of assets, invoice discounting and identifying cost efficiencies. Accessing and paying for expert advice can often save money. Firms without in-house support should seek advice from their trusted financial advisors. Failure to address these issues will always lead to problems. From a restructuring perspective, the earlier we get involved the better it is as we can generally identify more options to save the business.

What issues do you see most frequently? The recession means more businesses have not paid HMRC debts on time and these have become almost ‘core borrowings’.

Communication with the tax man is essential. Sometimes a formal insolvency process is the answer but often a negotiated settlement can be arranged. Businesses involved in tax avoidance schemes may face an unexpected financial burden due to the accelerated payment of tax before the efficacy of the scheme is resolved. We’ve yet to feel the full effect of the legislative changes but this is likely to be an area of concern in future.

What three pieces of advice would you give to company owners wanting to ensure they and their organisations are fit for the future? Organisations that don’t move with or ahead of the times will continue to suffer. In many industries technological changes will be significant and companies need to ensure their strategies reflect this. The recession impacted many businesses, but employment levels remained robust and retaining a skilled workforce will be a challenge as competition for the best staff intensifies. Recent lack of investment in training means skilled employees will be more marketable. Finally, I’d add one more thing. Awareness of your financial position remains key: costs must be controlled and working capital managed to take full advantage of the recovery. For more information visit www.rowlandsaccountants.co.uk

LAW & FINANCE

Charities and data protection Why the Information Commissioners Office is offering free advisory visits, by Tony Coates of Stephenson Coates.

ata protection legislation is a minefield, and often presents particular problems for charities. Charities process information about their customers, employees and volunteers in paper and electronic form. This may include names, addresses, medical records and reports, services required and delivered, business funding records and staff employment records. All such information falls within the ambit of the Data Protection Act 1998, and must be handled accordingly. Failure to do so can lead to monetary penalties, and even prosecution of individuals responsible. Of particular relevance is the high degree to which charities rely on volunteers to deliver services. This presents a particular set of challenges,

EXPERT VIEW Tony Coates Managing director Stephenson Coates Ltd Web: www.stephensoncoates.co.uk

due to the potential for high turnover of personnel, and difficulties in ensuring that volunteers are aware of, and comply with, their responsibilities in relation to data protection. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data protection regulator, is still offering free one-day visits to help charities ensure they comply with the legislation. The ICO is especially keen to hear from charities which process sensitive personal data involving criminal convictions, social care, or physical and mental health. The visits are practical and flexible, and can be tailored to meet your charity’s needs. If you’re interested, you can learn more about advisory visits, and request a visit, on the ICO website: http://www.ico.org.uk/for_organisations/data_p rotection/working_with_the_ico/advisory_visits

LAW & FINANCE

Prenuptial agreements Valerie Wormald, senior partner at Carr & Co Solicitors, warns of the perils of entering a marriage without a prenup.

EXPERT VIEW Valerie Wormald Senior partner Carr & Co Solicitors Tel: (0191) 284 0363 Email: valerie@carrandcosolicitors.com

omewhere in between the confetti, cake, and deciding on the colour of the napkins there is an essential part of wedding planning that is too often overlooked. Prenuptial (or premarital) agreements have in recent years exploded in popularity and are no longer merely the domain of the rich and famous. When planning your future life together it seems wrong to consider that things may turn sour but as more and more couples marry later in life they often find themselves having to consider their individual assets. You may already have equity in a house, savings and inherited wealth. In the event of a split would you really be willing to part with your dream car, boat or motorbike? There are also those who are contemplating a second marriage who want to protect their assets for existing children and are naturally reluctant to risk losing what they have worked so hard for. While a prenuptial agreement may not at first appear the most romantic of proposals, failing to address these issues at the outset could cause a great deal of distress and conflict as well as court intervention with the inevitable legal costs that follow.

Following a landmark case in 2010, together with much lobbying by groups such as Resolution, the Law Commission in February 2014 published its final report Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements. It contains a recommendation that there be ‘qualifying nuptial agreements’ whether pre or post marriage that are accepted as enforceable contracts. This would allow couples to enter into binding agreements dealing with the financial consequences of divorce. It also recommended that such agreements satisfy certain requirements, which include that both parties have full disclosure of their assets together with the opportunity of taking legal advice. The agreement must be by way of a formal deed and also be signed no later than 28 days before the wedding date. It should also contain a statement signed by the parties that each has understood that they are contracting out of the court’s jurisdiction and that there is no evidence of undue pressure, coercion or fraud. The government is due to provide a full response by early 2015. While there is still some way to go before pre/post nuptial agreements find their way onto

the statute books there have been a number of recent cases showing that the trend is that courts are giving effect to terms of such agreements unless there are reasons that show that doing so would be unfair. Couples would not be able to contract out of meeting the financial needs of each other or any children. Had prenups been recognised in the 1980s perhaps my own husband would not have had concerns that in the event of our split his beloved high performance dinghy, which he had saved up for and purchased before our marriage, could be ring-fenced. He took advice from one of my solicitor friends who informed him that ‘what is hers is hers and what is yours is hers … including the boat’. Happily we have never had to address this issue and over the last twenty nine years he has gone on to acquire a number of sparking new racing machines. Given the reality of high divorce rates it is vital that you take time to discuss these issues with your future spouse and protect yourself. It makes perfect sense to get your affairs in order so you can both move on with confidence and embark on an exciting new chapter in your lives together.

LAW & FINANCE

Green fingers UNW helps Caring Hands as its first corporate backer. usiness advisers UNW have got their hands dirty - and handed over around £5000 – after becoming the first ever corporate supporter of small Tyneside community charity Caring Hands. The Newcastle-based firm of chartered accountants will now raise funds exclusively for Caring Hands until April 2015, to help it sustain the independence and quality of life of older and disabled people in the East End of Newcastle and beyond, after staff chose it as their charity of the year for 2014/15. As well as raising money, UNW staff will also take part in volunteering events and recently a group helped tidy up the park opposite the Shieldfield-based community charity, which supplies services to older and physically impaired people including aromatherapy, befriending, counselling, a handyman service, lunch club, small equipment aids supply, laundry collection/delivery and welfare benefits advice.

Left to right: Lee Muter (UNW), Ray Cushing (Caring Hands), Rochelle Harrison, Louise Main, Carole Almond and Aaron Jowsey (all UNW).

Of the £5000 raised so far, £3600 was collected when 15 members of the UNW team cycled 80 miles from Tynemouth to

Holy Island in July, having to beat the tide and get across the causeway in time. It also raised money through several World Cup events at its city centre offices on St. James' Boulevard. UNW partner Lee Muter says: “Staff voted for Caring Hands as this year's charity because it is a small, volunteer-led charity where we felt our fundraising would make a real and valuable impact.” Caring Hands is a small local charity that was established 20 years ago to help vulnerable older people in the East End and has since developed its services with the help of a team of volunteers and trustees. Caring Hands project manager Dawn Henderson says: “We have never, ever had a corporate supporter before and so when we were approached by UNW we were a bit taken aback and then absolutely delighted that they chose us. “The amount of money they are raising for us is amazing and we are already putting it to good use.”

TECHNOLOGY NEWS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

£26 million deal New solar farm, the size of 40 football pitches, to provide power for BT’s Adastral Park technology campus.

T has announced a £26 million deal with Newcastle-based company, UK Sustainable Energy Ltd (UK-SE), which will see them take 100 per cent of the green energy generated by UK-SE’s new solar farm, near Ipswich, to help power BT’s Adastral research campus for the next 20 years. Don Lord, CEO of UK-SE, said: “This is the largest dedicated private wire solar project anywhere in the UK; it has given us the credibility to roll out zero cost solar farms to many other UK and North East corporates, which is, undoubtedly, a positive for the region, with vast environmental benefits. From their headquarters, located at St Peters Basin, Newcastle (pictured), UK-SE’s experienced team identify renewable energy solutions, such as solar, wind and biomass, for companies looking to reduce costs and dependence on the national grid.

Multi-million pound competition

ew product development firm, Pera Technology, has announced the second stage of its multi-million pound innovation competition. The company is searching for small and medium sized North East engineering and manufacturing firms that are seeking finance to develop new product and process ideas. The chosen businesses will receive a fully funded application to the European Union’s Horizon 2020 science and innovation fund.

Six-figure investment

echnology company, The Fund, has invested a six-figure sum in Gatesheadbased IT specialist, Advantex Network Solutions, in a deal advised by Newcastle law firm, Ward Hadaway. The Fund’s investment will help to facilitate further growth for the business and support its plans to increase turnover by 20 cent this year.The influx of capital from the North East Angel Fund will enable the recruitment of additional staff, safeguarding over 40 jobs in the region.

Investment boost

atterick-based IT specialist, Razorblue, has secured contracts worth in excess of £2 million, allowing the business to rapidly develop. The company, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and York, has won a number of new contracts, which are now helping the business to recruit more staff and expand its premises. The new work includes contracts with Furlong Flooring, Dublin, to provide bespoke software development and outsourced IT services.

TECHNOLOGY

A MOVE TO NEW PREMISES, PLANS TO DOUBLE TURNOVER YEAR-ON-YEAR OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, RECRUITMENT OF ADDITIONAL STAFF AND A CLUTCH OF NEW CONTRACT WINS – IT’S EXCITING TIMES FOR NEWCASTLE FIRM CALIBRE SECURED NETWORKS LTD …

appointments of new IT technician Graeme Walker, and administrative and accounts clerk Michael Wright, while further plans will see the recruitment of additional engineers and a commitment to developing another level of talent within the business in the shape of apprentices, who will work closely with the senior management team to gain the high quality skills customers will need from their IT service providers now and in the future. Graeme’s appointment is particularly interesting, as it comes after Calibre won a further three-year, five figure contract at St Aidan’s to provide front-of-house support. He will be based on-site looking after the school’s critical software and hardware platforms such as the SIMS office management system and online learning resource e-Backpack to ensure they are functioning properly and integrating with other technologies. Calibre is also winning work at other local schools, reflecting the education sector demand for outsourced expertise that understands the particular IT requirements of schools. Work on three year contracts is already underway at Dubmire Primary School in Houghton-le-Spring and Washington School (which offers a specialism in IT), where new infrastructures to support wireless technologies and BYODs respectively are forging ahead, which will be supported with comprehensive aftersales maintenance packages. Work in the Housing Association (HA) sector is also opening up for adept and experienced operators on the back of the Government’s plans to get more people online – the heralded Digital Inclusion Strategy and UK Digital Inclusion Charter. This strategy sets out ten actions that Government and partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors are taking to reduce digital exclusion, helping people become capable of using and benefiting from the internet. In Manchester and other parts of the country, Calibre is partnering with HAs such as Eastlands Housing to design and develop new concepts and trial systems to assess the benefits and feasibility of new email and internet services for tenants, before the green light’s given for final installation and investment expenditure. Leisure is also a sector firmly in Calibre’s sights. It is currently talking to a leading organisation within the leisure industry regarding Wi-Fi in its parks. So clearly, 2014 is shaping up to be a great year for Calibre, as it looks to build on the successes of the past few months, putting in place the strong foundations and resources that will carry the ambitious firm forwards towards what is sure to be continued growth and prosperity over the next few years. Calibre provides ICT solutions, working across the UK and Europe with clients building long-term 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.

t is shaping up to be a vintage year for Calibre, the ambitious firm providing ICT and cyber-security solutions for public and private sector organisations, as it continues to target – and succeed – in building strong growth in the core education and public sector markets on the back of a relocation to new office space in Windsor Terrace. The move has more than doubled Calibre’s operational capacity and comes as the expanding firm, which is building a strong reputation for excellence and quality in the highly competitive world of ICT services’ provision, is recruiting additional new talent to support expansion plans and underpin the push for growth – part a move that will see the firm’s sales surpass the £3 million mark and boost staff numbers to around 20 by 2016. More capacity will bring the sales, marketing and technical support functions for its range of high performance, advanced ICT and cloud-based solutions closer together. The strategy is part of a raft of initiatives to successfully utilise advanced technology and software systems from Cisco and other leading vendors to develop integrated and bespoke securityfocused ICT solutions for customers. The company works across the UK and Europe for clients, including Sage UK and Ireland, G4S and increasingly within education where it has secured a five-year managed services contract at Sunderland’s St Aidan’s Catholic Academy to deliver a new cloudbased wireless network solution, network, and infrastructure refresh and storage solution. Calibre’s managing director Karen Nelson says momentum is gathering because the technology company has established itself as a reputable supplier, delivering proven added value expertise with a track record that can be independently verified in a competitive sector. “The future is exciting for us and we are busier now than ever before, she says. “We now have the foundations and plans in place to take us forward over the next three years. Clients are already benefiting from the investments we have made in resources. We now have the skills available to spearhead our growth as the economy continues to improve and more and more organisations look to upgrade or purchase new ICT equipment. “We believe the North East is a hot-spot for emerging IT talent and are actively helping to drive and deliver the skills our people need as highlighted at the inaugural Dynamo event earlier this year, which is growing the region’s IT economy.” Last year, Calibre appointed Shaun Phillips as its new technical director, who had previously worked in technical roles for Capita IT Services, BT, the NHS Trust and Sunderland City Council among others. The move has boosted the firm’s technical capabilities and moved its ability to deliver major infrastructure contracts to another level, further extending Calibre’s capacity to go for high value national contracts. Karen says that Calibre is committed to continuing to support its talented team while looking to encourage and nurture a new generation of young, highly skilled people within the firm and the wider industry who will be based at the new office. This initiative is already being seen through the

For more information visit www.calibre-secured.net

TECHNOLOGY

The ‘what if’ syndrome The importance of business continuity planning, by George Galloway, commercial director at ITPS.

he Scottish referendum is a good example of why business continuity (BC) planning is essential to any organisation. Much was written about Scotland having had two years to consider the ‘what ifs’ and think about how to implement independence, but little was heard about the Government’s plans should the split have become real. Business continuity is defined as the capability of the organisation to continue delivery of products or services at acceptable predefined levels following a disruptive incident. It is the ‘what if’s’ that form the core of a BC plan. Putting aside myths about how many businesses fail following a serious interruption (check out the Business Continuity Institute’s ‘where myth meets fact’), it is a reality that power failure, fire, burglary or accident can strike at any time. In a previous article we looked at the importance of a backup strategy to make sure critical data and systems are always accessible. But backup is only one element of your ICT business continuity strategy; you also need restoration services and a physical environment from which to operate. Creating a BC plan is largely common sense and good planning but it presents particular challenges for IT managers as they seek to give the business ‘access as usual’ to critical data, applications and operating systems. Complexity increases in scenarios where staff might not have a physical base from which to work – an often overlooked but critical factor. When clients approach us for help with BC and disaster recovery (DR) planning, many of them have started to create a plan, with varying degrees of success. BC expertise is about more than just the ICT infrastructure, it involves assessing the threat to

EXPERT VIEW George Galloway Commercial director ITPS Web: www.itps.co.uk

people, systems and premises and looking at all the challenges a business might face. It really is an area where an expert partner is essential to help you develop and test strategies and processes that deliver 24/7 support in the face of a crisis. Trends such as virtualization, cloud computing and ‘bring your own device’ have increased the challenges facing those responsible for ICTrelated BC planning. We took our 14 years’ experience of delivering and supporting complex ICT solutions and matched it with customer research and feedback to create a new 33,000sq ft data centre and workspace recovery facility near Durham, creating an environment to keep clients up and running whatever the circumstances. Clients told us that working desk space, meeting rooms, security and connectivity were their key requirements, and we designed those in accordingly.

Space Your BC plan should make the necessary provision for people either working from home with full access to the IT and phone system, or from alternative premises. Our new data centre has hundreds of seats equipped with phones, server, PC or thin client terminals, printers and copiers so staff can move in and work as usual. Our clients can also use secure private meeting rooms and fully equipped project space. Built in

workshop space offers clients room to build a new IT system to replace the failed one if necessary.

Security This should be a given and all of our data centres have Tier 3 status, are staffed 24/7/365, have CCTV and escorted access, plus the option for individual security locks on individual racks, pods and caged data halls.

Connectivity Whether your business IT is based on your premises or provisioned to a public, private or hybrid cloud, you need high speed, high bandwidth connectivity. We own and operate our own 10Gb network between our data centres, which is secure, diverse and provides sub second failover with resilient internet and MPLS network connectivity. Frequent test and review of our power, cooling, fire, security and connectivity ensures a secure managed environment. Office space providers are trying to move into the workspace recovery market, targeting SMEs who mistakenly believe true workspace recovery is out of their financial reach. Most of these providers are offering space only, without the infrastructure or capacity to truly support a business in crisis and the truth is a real BC expert can offer you a fully compliant BC plan for as little as £15 a month. If you are concerned about keeping your organisation afloat in the face of every type of interruption, talk to us about how we can help you create a BC plan that ensures you can either maintain or quickly resume mission-critical IT functions, whether the interruption lasts for days, weeks or months.

TECHNOLOGY

End-to-end IT services Andrew Robson from Perfect Image reflects on how the company has developed over the years … hen I started Perfect Image in 1991 it was done with the intention of helping clients get the most out of IT to help their business. To me, this meant we couldn’t just focus on applications or hardware or networks – it’s the combination of all aspects of IT working in efficient harmony that helps drive a business forward. Fast-forward 23 years and Perfect Image now employs more than 60 people, all based at our head office on the Cobalt Business Park, in Newcastle. While there’s no doubt the passing of time has seen the business and technology evolve hugely, some things have remained unchanged; we’re still committed to our founding principle of being a provider of high quality end-to-end IT services. Our aim always has, and always will be, to help our clients get the most out of their IT to bring about business benefits. We do this by truly getting to know our client’s business: from sharing in the company vision to appreciating the capability of the current team, we get under the skin of each and every business we work with to design and develop IT solutions that suit each client’s needs. Then, our team of experts scope out what is

the best value approach for the client, working in a totally transparent way, so that we can deliver a solution that not only meets the client’s requirements but exceeds their expectations. We’ve worked with a whole host of businesses and organisations across a number of different sectors over the years, from blue chips to housing associations, to high-tech start-ups and other SMEs. Regardless of shape, size or sector, our team works together – from developers to support engineers to project managers and business consultants – to provide all of our clients with a seamless end-to-end service. We can develop bespoke software packages, deliver CRM, accounting and business intelligence solutions, manage system integrations bringing a client’s multitude of systems together, as well as facilitating portals and collaborations; all enhancing the way our clients’ employees and their customers work with each other. Our proven working methodologies ensure an end product that is on time, on budget, and realises the original project aims. In addition, at Perfect Image, we take a managed services approach to the delivery and running of our client’s IT. From providing the physical kit you need like installing servers or setting up infrastructures in

a true cloud setting with Amazon Web Services (AWS), we don’t only create bespoke solutions, we provide you with the equipment and services you need to make it a reality. In all, we offer our clients a high quality endto-end service for all of their IT needs, from conception to creation and support. To celebrate our unique offering, we’re going to be opening the doors to our new office and inviting people to come along to a drop-insession user day on Wednesday, December 3. Attendees are invited to come and go as they please throughout the day, taking in talks, guest lectures and live demos from the likes of AWS, the Cloud Innovation Centre, Qlik, Microsoft and Dell. The day will be split into two tracks – technical and business – meaning those involved in the IT sector can enjoy practical talks and demonstrations from a functional point of view, whereas business owners and other professionals will be able to learn more about how the right IT solution can benefit their company. For more information about the event, a timetable for the day and to see the full list of speakers as they are announced, please check: http://www.perfect-image.co.uk/

LAW & FINANCE

Putting clients’ needs first How Hitachi Capital’s innovative products and commitment to customer care is helping business in the North East.

itachi Capital (UK) PLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Capital Corporation, one of Japan’s largest non-bank financial institutions. The ultimate parent company, Hitachi Limited, is a global supplier of technology and information systems. Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC was established in 1982 and has since expanded to include four key financial divisions, serving consumers and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through to corporate multi nationals. Hitachi Capital provides finance and related products and services in a variety of sectors, while focusing on markets where they offer innovative finance products and a very real commitment to customer care. It develops and delivers products and services through the following specialist business units including Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, Hitachi Capital Business Finance and Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance. Hitachi Capital customers invest in its knowledge, commitment to world class service and unique and market leading financial pedigree. In turn Hitachi Capital ensures that customers also experience the qualities that characterise the company and its people: integrity, enthusiasm, and a strong desire to build a mutually successful, long term relationship with each and every customer.

Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance – the fastest growing invoice finance company in the UK A little known fact and almost a secret is that Hitachi Capital is one of the fastest growing invoice finance companies in the UK. The aim is to accelerate this growth in Newcastle and the North East. Spearheading this drive is Glen Callander who is especially targeting those businesses with around a £5m

to £10m sales turnover. Glen has been part of the Hitachi Capital team for over two years, but was recently promoted to complete the larger corporate ABL financing facilities as well as straight forward invoice factoring and invoice discounting deals to North East SMEs. This promotion is due to his great success helping SMEs and builds upon Glen’s 15 year experience helping businesses with their corporate finance for a range of other leading finance institutions. The growth of Hitachi Capital is due to the unique combination of cost effective finance, industry leading client service and great people that build innovative funding solutions through deep understanding of the underlying business needs. Over the last four years Hitachi Capital has won a number of awards including accolades for its client service, innovation in financial services and for its unique financial product, Inspired Cashflow.

Inspired Cashflow – aimed at new start and smaller business This is cashflow finance at its simplest. It can be arranged in a few days and allows businesses with up to £3m turnover to release 85 per cent of the invoice value for one simple low cost fee. The pricing can be as low as 0.5 per cent of the invoice value – with no added or hidden extra costs. This really is the simplest and most cost effective way to finance many businesses, especially compared to more expensive forms of traditional finance products such as a business overdraft.

Cashflow Inspiration – new product aimed at £5m to £20m turnover businesses Introducing Cashflow Inspiration; a cost

effective invoice discounting product from Hitachi Capital. Cashflow Inspiration provides businesses with a better cash flow solution at a lower rate of interest. The only invoice discounting product that has no extras – just two simple fees – a finance fee and a service fee. There’s no nasty surprises or hidden costs, Hitachi Capital is confident that they can beat existing cashflow arrangements by at least 10 per cent, most times a lot more. Check out the simple cost calculator at www.cashflowinspiration.co.uk

Try before you buy … Clients’ needs and service are at the heart of everything that Hitachi does. To illustrate this point, Hitachi Capital offerd all clients a sixmonth trial period, then have clients on a three-month rolling contract thereafter. Most other providers sign clients up to a twoyear contract from day one – which is something that may not be in the client’s best interests. Hitachi Capital are so confident in its class leading service that they are the only provider in UK to offer all clients an open shared review forum to give feedback. This is a little like Trip Advisor for financial services and is called Feefo. You can read the unedited feedback updated in real time for new and existing Hitachi Capital clients at http://www.feefo.com/GB/en/reviews/HitachiCapital/?id=441978 Glen covers the whole of the North East and is building relationships with accountants, professional services companies and other key business introducers who focus on helping businesses with their financing needs. To get in touch with Glen, call 07867 373 700 or email glen.callander@hitachicapital.co.uk.

Glen Callander.

TECHNOLOGY

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

SONY BRAVIA S90 4K ULTRA HD ony’s new BRAVIA S90 4K Ultra HD television is set to offer a whole new approach to screening entertainment. The contoured screen makes viewing comfortable from all angels, immersing viewers in its thrilling picture. The innovative television comes with TRILUMINOS display and an Xtended Dynamic Range generating impeccable detail. Available in 75-inch and 65-inch versions, the spectacular curved television provides four times the detail of full HD, is 3D compatible and comes with two pairs of 3D glasses and features Sony’s 4.2 Multi-angel Live speaker system creating exceptional 360 degree surround sound.

www.sony.co.uk

SONY WALKMAN A15 he sleek Walkman NWZ-A15 brings true audiophile credentials to portable highresolution audio players. Advanced technology accurately processes massive amounts of widebandwidth audio data while minimising noise and distortion, while high purity lead-free solder used within the player helps provide finely detailed sound with balanced lows, mids and highs. With up to 50 hours of vivid sound at your fingertips, music on the move has never sounded so good!

www.sony.co.uk

SAMSUNG GALAXY ALPHA he sleek and compact Samsung Galaxy Alpha boasts a high quality metal frame (the first Galaxy smartphone to do so) and is an ultra skinny 7mm wide. The Alpha also comes with 4.7-inch HD Super AMOLED display, a 12 megapixel camera (2.1 megapixel front camera) with real time High Dynamic Range and an internal memory of 16/32 GB, as well as popular features such as Finger Print Scanner, Ultra Power Saving Mode, Private Mode and is compatible with the Samsung Gear Fit.

www.samsung.com

OLYMPUS PEN E-PL7 he all-new Olympus PEN E-PL7, available early October, is specially designed for capturing the perfect selfie thanks to a LCD touchscreen that allows users to take a selfie while built in WiFi enables users to share images via a compatible smart phone. Complete with a 16.1 megapixel Live MOS sensor and high-grade Pancake zoom lens for spectacular image quality, the retro styled camera also features 14 art filters allowing users to add their own creative effects, as well as sequential and self-timer interval shooting features. RRP ÂŁ499.

www.olympus.co.uk

BUSINESS

On the right track Alex Nelson of Chester-le-Track reflects on his ticketing business that offers an alternative to people traveling by train.

Alex Nelson

Tell me about Chester-le-Track … Chester-le-Track is a small railway company that operates ticket offices at two North East locations: Chester-le-Street on the East Coast Main Line between Durham and Newcastle, and at Eaglescliffe between Darlington and Middlesbrough. We employ a team of nine staff who help people plan their journeys throughout Great Britain by train, and sell to personal callers, over the phone and on the internet.

How has the company developed? Although in 1999 we were the new kids on the block, we have seen off GNER, Northern Spirit, Arriva Trains Northern, Virgin Cross Country, National Express and even our former landlords Railtrack. We now work with current operators Northern Rail, East Coast, TransPennine Express and Cross Country Trains and our landlords are Network Rail.

Why did you establish Chester-leTrack? I was a tour operator running tours by coach in the late nineties after an earlier career in the bus business – with what is now Go-Ahead Group. Many of our customers wanted to go by train, but we could not get the rail companies to sell us tickets at less than the customers could buy them for themselves. I was travelling from Durham to Newcastle in late 1998 and the train stopped at the derelict, unloved, unstaffed station at Chester-

le-Street with a sign on it saying To Let. I reasoned, if we had our own railway station we could sell tickets to anybody.

What makes Chester-le-Track different? Although we have to abide by the rules of ticket retailing, we tend to do it on the side of the customer, explaining how to avoid some of the restrictions and helping by splitting tickets into smaller segments where this will save the customer money. This does not always apply, but where it does we can help save people money. We have drawn attention to various fares anomalies and sought improvements where possible.

How has 2014 been so far for the company? We saw no major disruption through the winter, and a major timetable change on 18 May has given Chester-le-Street a regular two hourly service and Eaglescliffe has five weekday trains a day to King’s Cross with Grand Central. Revenue is holding up although we lost a major customer to a travel management company because the customer, ultimately, was not looking for the cheapest price and wanted management information and invoices too. We do without this waste, and offer our customers the best ticket prices, paid for on the day of issue.

How has train travel changed in recent years? How has Chester-leTrack adapted to this?

When we started at Chester-le-Street, commuter trains were often one single carriage, and cross-Pennine trains were two carriages. We have newer stock now on TransPennine but Northern is still punting around with the unpopular Pacer trains. I was travelling with the Fleet Engineer for the Pacer (class 142) trains this morning, who is keeping them going until 2019, and I said to him that if people knew what his job was, he could be the most unpopular man on the National Rail network! Wi-Fi is popular on trains but it is not available on all, and more people book in advance and commit to travelling on particular timed trains which is cheaper than the walk-up fare payable on the day.

What are your short and long-term ambitions for the company? Our objective is to stabilise the business in the face of improved websites that often charge booking fees and credit/debit card fees. But the internet sites are getting smarter so we must keep several steps ahead. At Eaglescliffe, we are looking forward to the new car park, tripling the current one in size, and new waiting facilities which will improve the passenger usage of the station. Chester-le-Street we are campaigning for an hourly service all day in both directions, and these improvements will secure the long term future of the company. For more information visit www.nationalrail.com

EVENT

Square One Law celebrates Clients and partners join the law firm to mark its third birthday, as well as a top industry accolade.

n September the partners of Square One Law invited clients and business partners to join them in celebrating their third anniversary as well as their Corporate Law Firm of the Year win at the North East Insider Dealmakers Awards. Square One Law senior partner Ian Gilthorpe said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have received fantastic support from the business community over the last three years and it was a pleasure to be joined by so many people to celebrate our award win and our continued growth.â&#x20AC;?

BUSINESS

A day at HarperCo Many people have met David Harper, the personality, but what is it really like working for him? John Ashton found out …

here do I start? I asked myself. Who is the man about whom everyone has an amazing story? Like any good journalist, I decided to research my target and I started with page 60 of the December 2009 issue of my favourite publication, North East Times: Left school at 15; passion; been setting up businesses since he was 17; passion; owns one of the UK’s most successful training companies; passion. I looked elsewhere: A former UK dance champion. He has bought and sold businesses in a range of sectors from criminal record checking to

designers of e-learning solutions; passion; recently launched a specialist marketing and website design business called VeryNiche. On monday morning, I arrive at the impressive Monkton based headquarters of HarperCo, fifteen minutes before my scheduled appointment. I’d heard about ‘Harper-time’. Greeted by the most amazing PA, who I later learn to be Nina Dorner (a woman who has dedicated the past ten years of her life to the Harper-vision). I am shown into the waiting area and am asked to sign the visitors book: the names and organisations listed above me in that

book were amazing. Before I could settle into the armchair, the doors burst open and, in the style of a smiling, non-threatening, Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil, David Harper, introduces himself. Without pausing to take breath, David welcomes me, drops in that he has been waiting for me, asks me if I like coffee and then asks me to come and see the latest ‘concept’ created by one of his newer ventures, Very Niche Limited. You can immediately feel the energy, the tension, the excitement; dare I say the passion? Having met with his mentee, a clearly talented teenager by the name of Benjamin Maughan, I am whisked into David’s impressive office: in fact ‘office’ is not an appropriate description. I sit at the head of David’s board room table; my eyes are drawn to the myriad of books, the family photos, the flip chart (I wish that I’d been able to take a photograph of the ‘pearls of commercial wisdom’ that had been scrawled on that chart!), the lime green ornaments and the amazing tray of coffee and cakes served by the aforementioned Nina. Harper, now in his early thirties, then explained his ever-increasing group of businesses to me. I was struck by both his passion and his honesty. During early 2014 he had all but

‘walked down the aisle’ with six different businesses. I can see that he was disappointed to have lost out on one particular training business, “The MD was great, she had a vision and merely needed confidence and direction, we could have learnt much from her, but it wasn’t to be,” David reflects. Then a different reaction about a consultancy business: “I’d been nervous from the start but my FD was keen, but they kept prevaricating, my FD was losing patience with each set of what he described as ‘terrorist demands’ so I said ‘no’, this is outside of my personal and corporate values”. “Everything alright, John?” says David. Was it a question or a statement? He charges out of the glass door to his office, Nina at his side and me in his wake. We walk through various departments, David introducing me to each colleague, each with an individual story. We pass through the Quality Assurance and Data Compliance departments of his beloved training company, Talent Training (UK) LLP. Before meeting David I’d looked at the most recent Ofsted report on Talent Training and all I can write is how impressed I was. Again, his passion was clear. I had then looked at the Talent Training website and, due respect to him, David had

seized upon the positive comments that Ofsted had made in the style that only a true ‘salesman’ would. We enter a long and relatively wide training room, laid out in boardroom style. At one end of the room are sitting a group of representatives of one of the UK’s major companies. David has mentioned that he knows where I live and has reminded me that I can name no names: but I was impressed. At the other end of the room I can see that a group of trainers, supported by three actors, are delivering an entertaining, yet challenging workshop on the subject of ‘customer service’ in logistics. Within minutes I felt part of the programme; the interaction between the hco-consult team (a business which David initiated in 2011) and the senior management team of this business was electrifying. On several occasions I felt David touch my arm as if to say, “don’t participate, just watch’, but I wanted to participate: had I caught the ‘passion’? “Right”, says David, “we’re having lunch with some of our lawyers, we’re finalising a buy-out in Cambridge”. I look at my watch. A day at HarperCo? It’s only lunchtime and I’m exhausted. Exhausted, but exhilarated. For more information visit www.hco.uk.com

MEDIA NEWS

Strike for inaugural awards Blogger Awards is bowled over by venue sponsorship.

he first ever awards that celebrate the best bloggers in the North East has pinned down its venue sponsor in the shape of Lane7 in Newcastle. The event this autumn will see bloggers from across the region come together in an evening that celebrates blogs across 11 different categories, including Best Business Blog. Held in the newly renovated event space at Lane7, located on St James’s Boulevard, the ceremony will take place on Wednesday October 22, from 7.30pm. The North East Blogger Awards is for blogs based in the North East of England and is the brainchild of creative communications agency OPR. Managing director Kari Owers (pictured, right, with Lane7 events manager Chrissie Denton) said:“We felt it was time to celebrate our region’s best bloggers and give them some recognition. “We are delighted to have Lane7 as our event venue, its basement, The Ball Room, is such a cool hangout space and should make for a really different style of awards ceremony to the normal sit down black tie affair. “The evening will be a fun packed evening of inspiration, networking and a

celebration of the region’s best bloggers – there will even be a chance to get a bit of tin pin bowling practice!” Nominations have flooded in for the North East Blogger Awards whose categories

include, food, sports, beauty, lifestyle, parenting, business, style, travel, student, best newcomer and will culminate in a special judges’ award for the North East Blogger of the Year.

Festival director leaves on a high A

s Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival prepares to celebrate its 10th edition, it has announced a hunt for a new director to build on the achievements of the past decade. After five successful years at the helm, Melanie Iredale, festival director since 2009, is leaving to become deputy director of the prestigious Sheffield International Documentary Festival, from November. During her tenure at Berwick the event has raised its national and

international profile dramatically. It now draws artists and filmmakers from all over the world, and a strongly growing audience from across the UK and beyond. Melanie Iredale commented: “It was a big decision for me to leave Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival, an event that’s grown year-on-year since I took the role in 2009, and which is really very special to me. But I do feel it’s an appropriate time, following the festival’s 10th edition, to let someone new put their mark on it.”

MEDIA

Radio Gaga? Kari Owers, managing director of OPR looks at why radio should still play a key role in your PR activity. adio is still one of the most popular mediums today and despite the growth of social apps and online widgets, we are still tuning in in our millions. Whether listened to on a wireless, a mobile phone app or a laptop, radio on any platform continues to play a unique emotional role in the listener’s life – it acts as a best friend whether on a long drive, at the office or cooking in the kitchen. Radio is also an easy medium in which ‘dualling’ (the act of taking in more than one medium at once, such as radio listening and being on Facebook) is easy. So that makes it relevant in today’s multi-channel world. So radio is still popular, but are you embracing it fully in your PR activity? We recently invited in radio producers, presenters, creative and sponsorship teams to our Ocademy Radio Day and here are some tips for getting great airtime:

There are two main types of radio: commercial radio and the BBC Commercial radio will often rely on advertising or S&P (sponsorship and promotion) spend to give your airtime but you could get onto a show or the news bulletin if what you have to a say is relevant and timely. BBC Radio isn't free advertising - be aware you won't necessarily be given a full name and company check on air. Local BBC Radio is just that – they want local voices on air from life stories to expert tips. Radio is no longer just the airwaves – they

hold huge audiences in the palm of their hand via their website, email databases, events and social media channels. These can contain video clips, the written word and pictures. Get in touch! If you have an opinion or area of expertise during a programme, you can call the studio and put yourself forward to the producer and get on air – great opinions and knowledge make for a better radio show. You can also usually tweet or Facebook the station or presenters while on air – they check their social media posts for interaction. Know your airwaves. Understanding the radio station and how its shows work is vital (many BBC local radio stations offer tours). Understand the audience they attract: what is in it for them and what would they like hear? Think about the interview. Who is the best speaker at your organisation? Interviewees don't have to be the most senior people if they aren't the best speaker. Consider putting a customerfacing employee up if they are more confident at talking or better placed to get the message across. Location, location, location. Radio teams like to get out and about as much as possible so always factor this in and offer them environments which interviews can be completed such as an event, or even your factory floor – think about the sounds you can offer.

Answer the question. Listen to what’s being asked and answer the question. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how easy it is not to actually answer what’s been asked! Answer in complete sentences and include the question in your answer - Why? Because the response can be re-used or clipped within news bulletins. The power of silence. Journalists may use silence to encourage you to say more – sometimes more than you should! Once you’ve answered the question, don’t be afraid to leave a silence – don’t worry, they will no doubt fill it with another question. You will make noise! Think about what you’re wearing. Don’t wear stiff materials, jangly jewellery or move too much. Talk straight into the microphone. If in the studio, don’t tap the table or your pen – this will be picked up by the microphone too. Listen. Most importantly make sure you are regularly listening to the programmes that you are pitching to. This will help you to fully understand what they are looking for from stories, what they like to cover, what the presenters are passionate about and how they present/deliver stories. If you then come across well on air with the presenters and listeners then the likelihood is you will be asked back for a return visit. For details on the next Ocademy event please visit www.opr.co.uk

MEDIA

The role of

blogs Sarah Hall, managing director of Sarah Hall Consulting Ltd, the PR and marketing consultancy, reveals how to create an engaging blog that works for everyone.

Using a blog to market your business is nothing new, but it isn’t simply a case of producing fabulous content and then sitting back to wait for your web traffic to increase. Whether you’re new to blogging or an old hand, there are number of factors you should think about if you want to get the best possible pay back from your efforts. Blogs are great for sharing your business ideas, expertise or successes with the world, but it’s vital to have a clear idea of what you want your content to achieve.

Put some guidelines in place Where more than one author will be updating it, it helps everyone if you have clear editorial guidelines covering what can and can’t be included. Think about your key customers and focus on producing the kind of copy they want to read. Consistency is important so develop a uniform tone and writing style, and focus on areas your business knows about. If people see you as an expert, they will want to hear your take on the latest developments within your sector, especially if you respond quickly to breaking industry news, are able to provide informed opinion pieces and spot and share trends ahead of the rest. Which brings us to the importance of updates and your ability to post regularly and react quickly. If you want to position yourself as a thought leader, it takes effort and commitment. Readers won’t return to your site if the last time you

updated it was six months ago - what would be the point? If you know you have a busy month ahead, write a few posts and schedule them in advance, that way there doesn’t need to be any lull in activity.

It’s all about the engagement Don’t forget or ignore that blogs are supposed to be a tool for two-way engagement. Allow your customers to have their say through the comments box – all too often this facility is turned off. Also, if you come in for some criticism, don’t automatically remove a comment, instead tackle the issue head on and try to solve the problem. Internet trolls (those who are deliberately provocative and inflammatory online) are actually few and far between. Through the feedback left, you might actually learn something important about your business and be able to enhance your product or service. In the same vein, your blog’s interactive element is a useful tool to ask readers’ opinions so use your posts to pose questions that guide your wider marketing efforts.

Pretty as a picture It’s not just about what you write – presentation is all-important. Try to match the theme of your blog to your business branding with the same colours and fonts. Make sure readers can see the search box as many may wish to look at previous content, and consider creating a sidebar of popular posts to attract readers’ attention and reinforce the areas in which you

are expert. Images and graphics will make your posts visually interesting. A thumbnail picture and brief biog about the writer will also make your blog feel more accessible.

Responsive or adaptive – don’t hesitate, do it In today’s mobile world, it’s no longer good enough to have a blog that looks great on a PC but doesn’t translate well to tablet or smartphone. It needs to be responsive or adaptive so check out how your blog looks on multiple devices and make tweaks to the design as required. For Google to find your blog, using keywords and phrases is essential. Google’s Keyword Planner can help you to formulate a list. Make sure you use the keyword relevant to what you’re writing about a couple of times in an article but don’t ‘keyword stuff’ – readers and search engines don’t like it. Always tag your post – if you don’t, people searching on your blog won’t be able to find earlier articles you’ve written on similar subjects. Finally, don’t forget to share each new blog on your social media accounts – after all this is the best way to generate reach, drive people to your site and attract new readers. Some may even share your content for you too and that’s when you know you’re winning. Contact Sarah on 07702 162704, email sarah@sarahhallconsulting.co.uk, Twitter @hallmeister or visit www.sarahhallconsulting.co.uk

MEDIA

Ask Silver Bullet Account manager Richard Hopper answers your marketing queries I have been tasked to create a crisis management strategy but is this really necessary for a small company? The role of crisis communications and management is generally misunderstood and one that organisations of any size ignore at their peril. At a basic level, a crisis management plan enables an organisation to recover its credibility from damaging news while at its best, it enables an organisation to turn potentially negative media coverage into positive public relations. Just because you work for, or run, a small organisation does not mean the potential for damaging media coverage is less than a large multi-national with an existing high profile, it will just be of a different scale. The negative coverage in, for example, the local press and social media for a small building contractor that has had a fatal accident on a site, can be just as damaging as the international coverage that, say, Malaysia Airlines generated during the missing Flight 370 crisis in March 2014. To the small building contractor, the death of one their staff due to poor safety procedures has the potential to destroy any confidence or trust in the company, never mind the severe legal repercussions that will probably come from the HSE. Their primary responsibility, of course, is to the family of the unfortunate victim, an internal matter like so much crisis management but beyond that a refusal to speak or interact

with the media creates the completely wrong impression of possibly something to hide or of not caring – you’ll recall the infamous yachting trip made by BP CEO, Tony Hayward, at the height of the Gulf oil spill caused by the Deepwater Horizon blowout in 2010. Contrary to what many believe, the press are not out to crucify individuals but are after the facts of the story and when faced with a ‘no comment’ response, will suspect that someone might be trying to hide the facts and will dig accordingly. Should our contractor have a crisis management procedure ready which involves internal communications to staff and families and external press statements which express their sympathy for the family, strict adherence to health and safety procedures and a commitment to find out exactly what has happened, most observers will feel they couldn’t really do any more at this time. So, given that the coverage that a local tragedy like this scenario will produce will be probably limited to the regional and maybe social media, how should the beleaguered staff at the unluckiest airline in the world have reacted for their worldwide crises this year. Interestingly, Malaysian Airways’ staff’s approach to the two disasters differed completely and showed a painful lesson learnt. In March, the airline was soundly condemned for its poor response to the disappearance of Flight MH370 somewhere off Australia with delays, conflicting statements and general ineptitude to both relatives and the world media. Unbelievably, the world watched in horror

some five months later on July 17 when another Malaysian Airline jet was shot down over Eastern Ukraine killing all 298 people on board. The Airline’s reaction this time was very different. It reacted fast, confirming the disappearance with one hour on its Twitter account, it stuck to the known facts and didn’t get dragged into the political mire and it kept communicating genuine sympathy, and still is, to both distraught relatives and the world media. This doesn’t reduce the tragedy by any means but it does serve as model for global crisis communications. Whether the airline recovers from this disaster, perhaps by a suggested rebranding, remains to be seen as trust in the brand must be one of the basic factors in choosing an airline and it will take Malaysian Airlines a long time to rebuild that trust. So two different examples of different scales of crisis management but with the same basic principles of speed, keeping to the known facts and continuation of communicating being common to both. Can your organisation afford a crisis management strategy? Better to ask if you can afford not to have one. Do you want to know more or do you have another marketing question? Email your questions anonymously to hello@silverbulletmarketing.co.uk or Tweet (not so anonymously) @SilverBulletPR and use the hash tag #AskSB

MEDIA

Staying positive Jackie Marston on creating effective and efficient press releases and editorials.

EXPERT VIEW Jackie Marston Managing director JAM Marketing Tel: 0845 9002127 Web: www.jam-marketing.co.uk

arketing and PR are essentially used to promote a client, portraying them in a positive light. And while the objective is to aim for the positive, there are a number of things that we at JAM have to be when writing press releases and editorials. The first, and perhaps most important of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ethicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to follow is, to be honest. If, for example, a client has a turnover of hundreds and we claim they have made millions, this will not reflect well on either us or the client and where positivity was planned, the client may be painted in a negative light

having the complete opposite effect intended. This links in with the second rule we follow. Everything has to be accurate. Similar to being honest, to the best of our knowledge, everything we write has to be factually correct. Our credibility when sending press releases and editorials would suffer if it was found our writing was not accurate and our clients would not receive publicity. It is vital then, that the integrity of our writing remains consistent. Clearness and quality of writing is also something we strive for. When a journalist picks up a press release, the last thing they

want to do is have to double check spelling, grammar and punctuation. So to avoid this, for everything we write, we proofread not only for grammar, but also for the clearness of the piece. While it might take us a little extra time to re-read things, but in the long-run, five minutes could make the difference between being published or not. Although not strictly a rule, one last thing I want to mention is that when we are writing anything we aim to be as concise as possible. That is to say, straight to the point. If something needs to be said, say it; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t repeat what has already been said.

STYLE

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

New Look, £19.99

F&F for Tesco, £14

Next, £22

Debenhams, £20

brand new season means a brand new palette of colours to play with and work into your new, cosier wardrobe. However, this autumn (and winter, if Vogue’s trusted trend reports are anything to go by) there is one hue making its return and taking the world of menswear by storm in the process: red wine. Celebrated again and again on the catwalks (and not to mention the lips of fashionconscious women everywhere) this time of year, it’s a shade that suits just about everybody and adds autumnal richness and warmth to outfits for all occasions – including work wear. If you’re not brave enough to boast burgundy from top to toe, military-style coats and/or outfit add-ons, such as belts, boots and ties, are stylish, office appropriate choices. On the other hand, for the more willing gentleman, a red wine shirt – or a jumper (we like cotton for when it’s breezy and cable knit for when it’s cold), layered over a neutral shirt and tie – also does the trick.

Marks & Spencer, £29.50

MODEL ATTIRE Claret pea coat, £360 J. Lindeberg Sky geometric shirt, £85 Navy Herringbone tie, £45 Blue Corsivo suit trousers, £120 All from House of Fraser’s Autumn/Winter 14 Collection

Office, £79

WORKSPACE & CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Venturing into Durham An independent estate agency opens its fifth branch.

An independent estate agent has expanded by opening a new branch in Durham. Venture Properties, which has offices in Darlington, Cockerton Village, Chester-leStreet and Crook, will now operate an office in Durham, with plans to expand further afield. The fifth branch, which opened this month, employs three people, taking the Venture Properties team to a total of 31 employees. Michael O’Connor, director at Venture Properties spoke of the new endeavour: “I’m very excited about the future for Venture Properties. We’re expanding and opening more offices, which has always been our ultimate goal. “I put our success down to hard work. We’ve tried to do things that other companies weren’t doing by embracing technology and re-investing in ourselves heavily in keeping us at the forefront.”

Laying foundations for apprentices’ future

ine new apprentices have joined construction company, Owen Pugh Group. The apprentices are training in a range of disciplines, including construction and built environment, plant operations and plant mechanics. They were appointed by the Dudleybased firm following an event with North Tyneside during Apprenticeship Week.

Architect targets success outside region

lston Murphy is undergoing an ambitious push outside the region on the back of winning a host of new contract wins in Ireland, including a three-site care home contract with Silver Stream, one of Ireland’s biggest care home operators. The deal will see the Newcastle-based practice design a 115-bed care home in Glasnevin, Dublin, and add extensions totalling 60 beds to four other existing homes around Ireland.

New division for local consultant

orth East-based property consultants and managers Johnson Tucker has announced the launch of its in-house property maintenance division. This latest development in providing maintenance support is aided by the wealth of experience new appointee, Mark Smith, formerly at Matfen Estates, contributes to the team.

PROPERTY

Dilapidations – are you in the know? Ben Hunter of Silverstone Building Consultancy shares his expertise on one of the most common disputes between landlords and tenants. roperty dilapidations are a very common area for time consuming and costly disputes to arise between landlord and tenant. As a firm of Chartered Building Surveyors, dilapidations is one of our specialisms and an area where we can help clients reach the best possible outcome.

What are dilapidations? All commercial property leases have obligations on a tenant relating to the state of repair and decorative order of the building. When signing a lease a tenant is accepting the liability to repair the property to the same if not better condition than it was at the start of the lease. If, at the end of a tenancy, the condition of the property falls below the standard set out in the lease then the landlord will appoint a surveyor who will prepare a document known as a Schedule of Dilapidations. Where the tenant has not complied with the repairing obligations of the lease, the schedule can often form the basis of a financial claim by the landlord, which can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of pounds. This can have serious financial implications for the tenant, particularly for those who have been reluctant to carry out necessary maintenance work during the course of a lease.

What can be done to limit liabilities? It is extremely important to understand, in full, the precise nature of any future dilapidation liabilities before signing a lease. If a tenant wishes to limit their liability for repairs and maintenance we strongly advise investing in a detailed Schedule of Condition. A Schedule of Condition records the condition of a property before a lease is signed and should be prepared by a Chartered Building Surveyor. Investing in a Schedule of Condition can save tenants considerable sums at lease expiry. A proactive maintenance plan addressing any necessary repairs over the life of the lease is another effective way of mitigating being presented with a huge liability. We advise landlord’s to serve an interim schedule of dilapidations to help to ensure the property is maintained properly and focus the attention of the tenant on any existing problems. Ultimately, a more proactive approach is in everyone’s interest, protecting the long-term interests of both the tenant and the landlord and avoiding unexpected major capital expenditure.

help from experienced surveyors, such as ourselves, who can carry out a detailed inspection of the property and negotiate the claims on your behalf. Careful scrutiny of the claim, by an expert who understands the legal principles involved, is required if it is to be successfully reduced. Our dilapidations experts will be able to identify any items listed in the dilapidations schedule that go beyond the tenant’s repairing responsibilities and respond accordingly, minimising payments and the cost of any work to be carried out.

How Silverstone can help We have extensive experience in advising both landlords and tenants on dilapidations disputes. Our aim is always to negotiate the best possible outcome using our knowledge of case law and legal procedure. Many individual organisations do not have sufficient specialist knowledge needed to achieve the same positive level of settlement when acting for themselves. Silverstone is able to secure significant cash settlements when acting on behalf of landlords and we also have an excellent track record in making substantial savings for tenants.

Disputing a claim If you are a tenant who has been served a Schedule of Dilapidations that you wish to dispute, it is advisable to bring in professional

For more information about how Silverstone Building Consultancy can help you, contact Ben Hunter on (0191) 231 4263 or visit www.silverstonebc.com

PROPERTY

Poor energy rating ... could put landlords in hot water thanks to a new Government act, says Neil Hart, director at Bradley Hall. he Government’s Energy Act 2011 probably means very little to most people. But to property professionals it’s an important law which could have a major effect on the letting of commercial and residential buildings. The act includes several provisions that will affect the property market but perhaps the most significant is the higher minimum energy performance standards for buildings. From April 1, 2018, it will be unlawful to let residential or commercial properties with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of F or G – in other words, the two lowest grades of energy efficiency. Given that this accounts for around one fifth of non-domestic properties in England and Wales, it will have a major impact on dozens of landlords across the UK. They will have to undertake measures to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings before letting them out – a procedure which could be costly unless they take the risky step of passing on the financial burden to the tenant. It will also affect lenders who hold these properties as security.

Banks will naturally be more inquisitive about the energy performance of certain buildings if they are at risk of falling into the lowest EPC categories. It’s not all bad news, though. There is a growing movement for a premium to be attached to energy-efficient properties and higher values could tempt investors to ‘green up’ their stock, irrespective of legislative demands.

In addition, landlords and investors have plenty of time to review their existing portfolios and assess the risks and benefits associated with making such improvements. If substantial upgrades are needed, they may decide that a more extensive refurbishment or rebuild programme is a better investment in the long run. Another positive is the Government-backed Green Deal, which sets out a funding mechanism that will enable landlords of residential buildings to carry out energy efficiency upgrades without having to pay an upfront fee. The money is paid back via additional instalments on future energy bills – meaning that the cost is essentially transferred from the landlord to the property. It would be good to see this approach applied to the commercial market, which is not currently covered by the Green Deal. If this situation continues, it’s unlikely that the Government’s 2018 deadline for minimum energy property standards will be met. For further information visit www.bradleyhall.co.uk or call (0191) 232 8080.

PROPERTY

Sweet 16 Wright Residential celebrates a landmark birthday. i, I’m Kerrie Dixon, office manager at Wright Residential and I’m here to let you know about some big news from us. As November quickly approaches and talk of Christmas inevitably draws closer, we at Wright Residential are edging closer to a major milestone of our own. This particular one doesn’t come around every year, so you can understand our excitement as we look forward to our upcoming 16th birthday celebrations. We opened in the late 90s, and between our friendly, expert staff we have almost 80 years of experience in the property field. The experience is a big reason why we have been allowed to flourish and grow since our doors first opened on Chillingham Road almost 16 years ago. Since starting in 1998, we have worked hard to build an enviable reputation among the North East letting community – including landlords, tenants and fellow letting agents. I have been in the property business for 27 years after leaving school at 16. I love what I

do and it’s great to work with people who feel the same way. Although my job title is office manager, I am very hands-on and you will normally find me out in the field, doing all sorts of various jobs that are required on a day-to-day basis. What has really set us apart in our time in business is the fact that we do not own our

properties, but instead manage them for others. This enables our customers to see, 100 per cent, that their interests are at the head of everything we do here and we aren’t biased as to which properties we show you; we put the properties that match your needs – not ones we can make a big profit on. As part of our birthday celebrations, we will again be appearing at the Landlord and Letting Show at the Gateshead International Stadium on October 22 and 23. We will be there to showcase our customer service, giving you the latest updates to legislation, regulation and laws that could affect your existing tenancy, or indeed for those looking to get a foot on the property ladder. So be it at Gateshead, or in branch in Newcastle, let us put you on the ‘Wright track’ to letting success. For more information on Wright Residential visit www.wrightresidential.co.uk or email info@wrightresidential.co.uk

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Amsterdam flyer Ken Spearen takes a short city break with DFDS. ith the grandchildren back at school, we took advantage of our newly-found freedom with a twonight mini-cruise to Amsterdam from North Shields. For the princely sum of £74 for two people including transfers to the centre of Amsterdam (this offer is still available up to the end of October), we sailed out on DFDS Seaways’ King Seaway from Royal Quays to Ijmuiden in Holland. Recently updated, The King can accommodate 1500 passengers and 600 cars while the range of entertainment venues on

board ensures the happiness of all passengers. Facilities include restaurants (tip: Pre-pay all meals before you sail to enjoy at least a 15 per cent discount on what you pay on board), three shops (all duty free), bars, cafes, a casino, two cinemas and some great live entertainment. On our cruise, the latter was provided by Blind Vinyl, a highly regarded UK party band who played with great aplomb and accomplishment. The lead singer’s tributes to Amy Winehouse were spookily excellent while her backing group made lead guitar riffs of The Eagles and Dire Straits look easy. Excellent stuff. On transferring to Amsterdam city centre, we

visited Artis Zoo (well worth a visit for a really close up view of nature’s finest animals) and, of course, an obligatory trip around the De Wallen and De Walletjes districts (all in the interest of research only, you understand). We gave the notorious coffee shops a swerve, though. Frothy coffee will never be the same again! Overall, a great little break at a great little price. No wonder so many Geordies take a ‘booze cruise’ across the English Channel to legally stock up for Christmas every year. At prices like these, you just can’t go wrong. Check out this and other mini-cruises on www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/minicruises

A winning combination A comedy caper returns to the Customs House. magine you’re holding a winning lottery ticket and the only people you’ve got to share it with are an unruly family, who at this point, probably don’t deserve a penny – what would you do? Well, if you’re anything like the lead character in comedy play, Lucky Numbers, you’ll force the sorry lot to buck their ideas up before they have any chance of getting their hands on the cash. The show, which has wowed audiences as far afield as Finland and New Zealand, is returning to its native North East for an 11 night run at the Customs House, South Shields from Wednesday October 15. It will star Pat Dunn, recently seen in BBC

comedy Hebburn, as the forgetful and cantankerous grandmother at the centre of the story – a role she originated in 2008. The Newcastle-set comedy caper, which will also feature an ensemble cast of top North East talent, is being brought to the Customs House stage by award-winning, Seaham-born director Michael Strassen, whose long list of accolades include Best Director and Best Production at the Off West End Theatre Awards. It is the latest play by writer Mike Yearman to be staged at the Customs House, following the debut of his comedy Canoeing for Beginners and one of three Lucky Number productions currently

being staged across Europe. Mike says: “I am thrilled to be bringing Lucky Numbers back to the Customs House as the team there have always been supportive of my work. It's brilliant seeing the plays go down so well with overseas audiences but nothing beats having productions back here at home.” Lucky Numbers will run at the Customs House, South Shields from October 15 to 25 2014. Tickets, priced from £14 or £26 including an evening meal, are available now by calling 0191 4541234 or visiting www.customshouse.co.uk

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

North East chefs win cook-off

wo of the North East’s most highly regarded chefs, Chris Finnigan and Diego Fenwick, from Newcastle bowling alley, Lane 7, were crowned ‘barbeque kings’ after going head-to-head with restaurant staff from Black Swan at Oldstead, North Yorkshire, in a professional cook-off. The no-rules ‘Griller Walfare’ challenge, hosted by Peterleebased catering supplies business, Goodfellows, saw the chefs battle it out on two of Goodfellows’ Big Green Egg ceramic barbecues to create either a plate, tray or bucket of grilled food, matched with a stand-out cocktail, made by Lane 7’s barman, Matt Hutchings, and restaurant manager at Black Swan at Oldstead, Sam Lancaster. Valda Goodfellow, managing director of Goodfellows, said: “It was hard to choose a winner, but both Chris and Diego’s dishes were so impressive; they focused on casual food and ended up being the overall winner. The cocktail, presented by Lane 7’s barman, Matt Hutchings, complemented the dish perfectly.” Chris and Diego were awarded with their very own Big Green Egg, worth over £1000.

Unique retreat

uxury self-catering holiday cottage, The Retreat, has won the ‘Unique Retreat’ category in The Unique Awards 2014 – an annual awards programme showcasing the best in UK self-catering accommodation. The couples-only cottage, which is based in Northumberland, offers an internal heated swim-spa pool, complete with twin jacuzzis, and was praised for offering guests ‘a high standard of luxury’.

Spiced up service

ive star hotel, Seaham Hall, County Durham, has launched a brand new service at its Pan Asian spa restaurant, Ozone. Aimed at parties of six and more, Chef’s Table allows diners to watch chefs cook and prepare their food. A new tasting menu of seven Thai dishes, which will be cooked and served as part of the new service, has also been created.

Friends reunited

ld friends and renowned Tyneside chefs, Gavin Ayres and Jim Smith, are celebrating after landing jobs with the same company. Gavin has been appointed as general manager of Scalini’s, Great North Road, Gosforth, while Jim has taken on the same role at Scalini’s, Osborne Road, Jesmond. The Newcastle-born pair have been inseparable since they started work at the same Italian restaurant more than 20 years ago.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Celebrate your way Enjoy a five-star event at Rockliffe Hall. ockliffe Hall is one of the UK’s finest venues to celebrate your special occasion – whether you want something small and intimate or a big party. From birthdays, weddings, christenings and anniversaries to baby showers, proms or graduation balls and business events, Rockliffe Hall’s tailored celebrations let you relax and celebrate your way while the experienced events’ team does all the planning and organising for you. There’s a range of unique function rooms, three different restaurants offering their own style of dining, a luxury spa and the PGAaccredited golf course – all set within acres of stunning woodland and with packages and prices from just £25 per person to suit a variety of budgets.

and anniversaries. Set within 375 acres, with a choice of private rooms for wedding breakfasts, fully-licensed civil ceremonies and evening receptions, Rockliffe Hall can provide the ideal backdrop for your special day – from ceremony to wedding breakfast and into evening celebrations, whether you want a contemporary or traditional wedding. For a dramatic backdrop, you could go for the marble-pillared entrance hall or, for sheer romance, make your vows under the ivy-covered Garden Arch. And there’s a choice of private dining rooms whether you want a formal banquet or a simple buffet. At Rockliffe Hall, every wedding is different so you can choose all the little extras too and, because no two weddings are held on the same day, it truly is your wedding day.

Popping the question … Counting up the years ‘Will you marry me?’ It’s one of the most important questions you’ll ask and Rockliffe Hall can make your special moment perfect, whether you’re going for a big party (surprise or otherwise) or an intimate moment between just the two of you. Rockliffe Hall’s range of private dining and function rooms can accommodate from four to 160 guests with menus designed by Rockliffe Hall's talented chefs, live music and dancingand anything else you need to make your occasion memorable.

No matter how many years you’re celebrating, Rockliffe Hall can offer a host of options to mark your anniversary, whether you want an intimate evening or spa day for two of or a lavish party for family and friends. How about afternoon tea or cocktails and dinner? Or maybe a theme is what you’re after. Thanks to Rockliffe Hall’s specially-selected team of suppliers including florists, cake bakers and entertainers, your celebrations can be designed just for you.

Wow factor winter weddings

Blowing out the candles

Winter weddings are full of romance, fun and elegance at Rockliffe Hall and the venue works with brides and grooms on everything from the big day itself through to honeymoons

Birthdays are always special occasions and, no matter what the age, from one to 100, Rockliffe Hall will create a fun celebration. And if you’re looking for a theme, let your

imagination run wild! Rockliffe Hall’s experts can create anything from Casino Royale and 60s and 70s nights to Winter Wonderlands. And the icing on the cake? All guests celebrating at Rockliffe Hall will receive complimentary hire of a private room (subject to availability; minimum numbers apply).

Christenings and baby showers Your new addition deserves a day to remember – and so do you! From a deliciously quintessential afternoon tea celebration in the Old Hall to a barbecue on the terrace or a traditional roast with all the trimmings, baby showers, christenings and naming ceremonies are beautifully designed to make it a day to remember for everyone.

Business, pleasure and leisure No matter what the occasion, Rockliffe Hall’s team can make your event extra special, whether it’s business or pleasure or a mixture of both. Menus are seasonal and specially created just for you. You and your guests can enjoy 365 acres of gardens and grounds. And Rockliffe Hall can – literally – roll out the red carpet! Not to mention team-building days, breaks just for the boys, or just for the girls, and spa and golf days to make your celebrations or business events stand out from the crowd. And, for a limited time, there is a range of Autumn Day Delegate Packages available from £35 per person where you can make use of Rockliffe Hall’s state-of-the-art facilities, private surroundings and tasty cuisine. For more details visit www.rockliffehall.com or contact (01325) 729999.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

One long culinary adventure Steve Welch has joined Sunderland AFC as business development and executive chef after a glittering and diverse cooking career ... teve Welch learned his craft in the Army Catering Corps, the start of a 24year career that saw him work in the blistering heat of Brunei; teach English classic dishes to the Gurkhas in Hong Kong and cook in a war-torn Northern Ireland. All of these experiences over the years have made him the man he is today – and guided him towards his new post as the business development and executive chef at Sunderland AFC. It doesn’t take long into a conversation with Steve to recognise his passion for the job or that, despite being a veteran of the trade, he is still always keen to learn more. After leaving the army with years of valuable experience, Steve went to work at Wynard Hall Hotel before spending more than seven years as executive head chef at a major sporting venue in the North East. Realising that he lacked restaurant experience, Steve went to cook at the acclaimed Black Horse Beamish and then

decided he needed to fill what he saw as a gap in his CV. “I realised that I wanted to know more about the contract catering business so went to work with one of the country’s biggest catering operations as I was interested in how staff canteens worked and the grab and go concept,” explains Steve. A stint teaching and working on large scale events, including the catering at the Tall Ships Race in Hartlepool in 2010, means that Steve really does have all bases covered. It is this widespread knowledge and expertise that he is bringing into play at Sunderland AFC. The combination of the catering operation at the Stadium of Light and the growing success of 1879 Events Management, means that Steve is able to draw on his vast knowledge and really drive the business forward. “It’s about being innovative,” he says, “and looking at what’s on trend and making sure that we are always ahead of the game.

“Part of my role is to identify what is happening in the market and to make sure we’re right at the forefront.” So what is the next great foodie trend that we need to be made aware of? “Bowl food is definitely something we are looking to grow at the moment,” he says. “It’s a more substantial alternative to canapés and buffets, where you are actually served a full meal in a bowl.” Steve believes there will be a general move towards “street food” style offering in the catering world and is confident that Sunderland AFC will be a trendsetter in the industry. “It is a great place to work and I’m looking forward to working with a venue which already has such a first class reputation for quality food.” For more information on hospitality at Sunderland AFC visit www.safc.com/hospitality-and-events or call 0871 911 1555.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Success that’s here to stay With 2014 coming to an end, Staybridge Suites Newcastle reflects on a year of steady growth and success… taybridge Suites Newcastle, part of the all-suite hotel brand, designed to meet the needs of extended stay guests, has enjoyed a fruitful year, thanks to new client contracts, new facilities and more. The award-winning hotel, situated on Buxton Street, Newcastle, has grown considerably throughout 2014, welcoming new staff, including a new guest services manager, and more clients – many of whom, they have found, even work on projects within a one-hour radius of Newcastle and Gateshead – along the way. Due to the North East’s engineering shortage, the hotel has seen an increase in extended stays, finding clients are staying longer than ever before – some up to 12 months. To reach new and existing clients – whether local or international – the hotel chain has also entered the world of social media. While taking advantage of the hotel’s free Wi-Fi, guests can now connect with Staybridge Suites via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Alongside high customer satisfaction and

retention levels, major achievements throughout 2014 include the continued implementation of its ‘home from home’ concept, its ‘pasta party’, held in celebration of the Great North Run, becoming an annual event, and recognition from leading industry providers, such as the North East Hotels Association and TripAdvisor, which not only awarded the hotel with a Traveler's Choice award for the second year running, but ranked it as Newcastle-Gateshead’s number one hotel. 2015 will see a number of new and exciting developments come to life for Staybridge Suites, from brand new laundry machines – a large capital investment in the hotel’s guest satisfaction levels – to more in-hotel entertainment, including bingo events, quiz nights and barbecue evenings.

Staybridge Suites Newcastle, Buxton Street, Newcastle, NE1 6NJ. For more information or to book, call (0191) 238 7000 or visit www.ihg.com/staybridge/hotels

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Business lunch

Bouchon Bistrot Alison Cowie samples award-winning French cooking in Hexham. hile Newcastle is awash with Italian, Asian and British cooking, it is rather lacking when it comes to fine French cuisine. In fact, it takes a visit to the market town of Hexham and to Bouchon Bistrot. But considering that the eatery was named Best Local French Restaurant in the UK on Channel 4’s F Word, and has won Best European Restaurant honour at the North East Restaurant Awards, one can’t grumble too much about making a trip along the A69. My two colleagues and I visited Bouchon one lunchtime last month, keen to see if the restaurant deserved its award-winning reputation. There was a warm welcome from owner Greg who showed us to our table and presented us

with the a la carte menu the lunch menus. For a nationally recognised eatery, I was pleasantly surprised how reasonable everything was. Especially the lunch menu, which, at £13.50 for two courses or 14.95 was three, I thought was a bargain. Both menus offered a masterclass in countrystyle French cooking with classic combinations and cooking techniques on show. I asked Greg if there was any dish he would recommend. His answer: ‘choose what you like the look of’. This was not him being dismissive; the restaurant owner was just clearly confident of all the dishes on offer. Indeed the savory goats cheese and olive Clafoutis starter and the monkfish cheeks with pomme puree and wild mushrooms, served with a shellfish sauce, main, that I did select were

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fantastic. The quality of the ingredients and degree of culinary skill shown throughout all of our starters, mains and desserts were clear to see. Even my colleague’s first experience of snails was a treat. As was the glass of Merot that I chose to accompany my meal. Ok, so I wouldn’t choose to argue with Gordon Ramsay on much. And I certainly wouldn’t disagree with his assessment when it comes to Bouchon. The restaurant clearly deserves the awards which have been bestowed upon it. We should feel privileged to have such exemplary French cooking and service based right here in our region. Bouchon Bistrot, 4-6 Gilesgate, Hexham. Tel: (01434) 609943, www.bouchonbistrot.co.uk

Goats cheese and olive Clafoutis with herb salad

French onion soup, garlic croutons with gruyere glaze

Escargots de Bourgogne with garlic and parsley butter

£4.95

£5.95

£5.50 (half-dozen)

Monkfish cheeks with pomme puree, wild mushrooms and shellfish sauce

Confit belly pork with gratin dauphinois and cabbage

Steak Frites

£17.95

(part of £14.95 three-course lunch menu)

Raspberry and pistachio mousse

Delice au chocolat with chantilly

Apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream

(part of £14.95 three-course lunch menu)

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(part of £14.95 three-course lunch menu)

ARTS

Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell

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The radio was always on in our house when I was a kid. My parents loved music, everything from Nat King Cole to Richard Tauber. When rock and roll hit in the late fifties they were enthusiastic about that too. The first album I bought was by the Shadows, Cliff Richard’s backing group who had hits with instrumentals. Two of them were from Newcastle so they were an early inspiration for me. The most recent record I bought was the last Springsteen album. In my early teenage years I was a huge fan of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. It seemed perfectly feasible that I could form a group and be successful. The sixties was an extremely optimistic period. Lindisfarne came along at the right time with great songs, a new sound and with a very approachable ‘anti-star’ attitude. The timing was perfect. The reason for the longevity is the songs – they’re timeless. Advice I would you give to young people getting into the music industry is to enjoy what you’re doing, don’t compromise your music and work hard. Most of the successful performers from the North East have a confidence that coming from an area with a strong regional identity gives you. People from the North East tend to be direct and straightforward. Those traits can really help if you’re a performer. We can always improve though – the idea that you’ve progressed as far as you can is the kiss of death. Keep on getting better. My favourite things about the North East are the people, the sense of humour and the coastline. The best advice I’ve ever received was to always give 100 per cent. At every show there will be someone seeing you for the first time and someone seeing you for the last. They deserve the best you can do. Lots of people inspire me, in particular my wife Lesley, Nelson Mandela, Dennis Skinner and Bruce Springsteen. My career has been a series of highlights and to be honest, taking The Lindisfarne Story on a 50 show UK tour has been an unexpected highlight. When the Mk 3 version of the band called it a day in 2003 I never thought I would tour extensively like this again. I’m having a ball. My pleasures in life are family meals, walking on Tynemouth beach, time with Lesley, the cinema, good gigs, changing the records on my juke-box, real ale, cycling and holidays in France. What am I looking forward to in the near future? A new regime at Newcastle United and the release of the first Sunset Sons album.

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T R AV E L

Northumbrian bliss Mike Grahamslaw visits The Coquetvale Hotel in Rothbury. he Coquetvale Hotel is a very unassuming 19th century country town hotel situated in Rothbury, right on the edge of the Northumberland National Park. It offers 14 well-appointed bedrooms – all of which have flat screen television and en suite bathrooms – and is a multi-purpose venue, perfect for either a relaxing break in the beautiful countryside or an ideal base for walking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits. It is obviously a popular spot for walkers seeking the local spectacular scenery and is within easy walking distance of the town centre. Being situated in the heart of Northumberland, it is also within driving distance of Cragside, Alnwick Castle, Kielder Water and a wealth of countryside and coastline walks etc. My wife, Lisa and I visited the hotel – without children – and upon arrival, we checked in and were shown to a charming and very well appointed room on the top floor with superb views.

By a quirk of fate, I had been in the vicinity a week earlier on a lads’ golf trip and had made a post-round liquid reconnoitre of the place. Without the demands of children, we took the opportunity to relax from the pace of life with a couple of hours in the beer garden which is accessible from its relaxing decked terrace with comfortable seating and panoramic views across Rothbury. After changing for dinner, we made our way to the restaurant where we found a heartening range of diners of all ages, a sure sign of the venue's popularity. Its grand restaurant has been designed to complement its original features with decorative ceiling roses and an ornate cornice, double aspect windows and views towards the Northumberland National Park and Coquet Valley. Its experienced chef has many years of fine dining experience and has worked in some of the North East’s finest establishments. His culinary skills are suitably complemented by the attentive but

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unobtrusive front of house team, which ensures the dining experience is one to remember. We dined on comfort food, the only way to treat a tired body and a jaded palate. The menu was concise but with enough choice to stop any regular diner getting bored. Lisa kicked off with bruschetta di pomodoro while I played safe with potato skins. Choosing a main dish was more problematic as there was a tempting range of pizzas, pasta, fish and meat dishes available along with blackboard specials and we liked them all! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives were also available on request. For mains, I opted for an old favourite â&#x20AC;&#x201C; locally sourced classic English fish and chips with mushy peas. What a treat! The calorie counting could wait as the dish was simply outstanding. Lisa tucked into Cajun chicken supreme with coriander and pepper sauces, potato wedges and char-grilled sweet corn. Although a bit like shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted, we resisted the

calorific delights of the sweet menu in favour of coffee and liqueurs in the lounge. Now fully relaxed, we retired for the evening to a lovely comfy bed and gladly surrendered to the arms of Morpheus. After a much needed, good night's refreshing sleep, we set ourselves up for the new day ahead with one of the hotel's awardwinning breakfasts. The hotel regularly stages live music and themed nights as well specialising in events to mark every occasion such as weddings, birthdays, christenings, anniversaries and business meetings, all specifically tailored to individual requirements. For private dining in its Hunters Suite to larger dining options catering for up to 80 guests, Coquetvale Hotel can easily accommodate all requirements. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be put off by the hotel's unassuming faĂ§ade. There is quality and much to recommend it inside this charming edifice. For more information and bookings visit www.coquetvalehotel.co.uk.

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LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Law and cooking Sinton’s Rukhsanah Haroon shares her love of cooking. oupled with her reputation for her expertise in residential property, Rukhsanah Haroon is equally well known by many across the North East for her baking skills. While by day, Rukhsanah is a specialist in property development at Newcastle law firm Sintons, outside of work, she is most commonly found in her kitchen baking sweet and savoury treats for all manner of occasions. Rukhsanah, who has worked in the North East’s legal sector for over 20 years, has built up a reputation for her baking, with her cupcakes and samosas proving particularly popular among colleagues and clients alike. For many years, Rukhsanah has held cake sales in aid of charity – raising several thousands of pounds during that time for an array of causes – and she has baked extensively since joining Sintons in February in support of Macmillan, which is the firm’s charity of the year for 2014.

14, my mum and grandmother were both fantastic cooks and made the most amazing Asian dishes. I have learned from them, and we have shared many ‘secret recipes’ between us, but I have also developed my baking. I make delicious savoury food, but think I’m an even better cake baker! “I believe that as busy or as short on time as you may be, everyone can cook amazing food with fresh ingredients. It is easy to make a delicious marinade or sauce from scratch in as little as 20 minutes – I have shared my recipes with colleagues and friends for years and they can’t believe how easy it is. “While I am known for my work in law, and have done it for many years, cooking is my other passion and one which I am so excited to share with other people.”

Rukhsanah is also a specialist in Asian cooking, having learned her skills from her mother and grandmother from a young age. She says: “I’ve been baking since I was about

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Rukhsanah will be writing a monthly column in North East Times from next month to share some of her recipes.

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

Making a Mark The Waterline’s top mixologist shares his cocktail secrets ... he Waterline in Newcastle has recently undergone a facelift and is looking pretty dapper. Alongside a new menu, bespoke packages for private or corporate events and an amazing choice of wines and beers, the Quayside-based bar is now taking pole position for its innovative and exciting cocktail range. Mixologist Mark Donnelly is bringing a fresh new feel to the cocktail menu. Mark has been creating cocktails for over five years and he really knows how to cater to customer demand and excite palates. Here he explains what makes a cocktail outstanding, full of flavour, as well as delivering a punch. “Every bar you go to you can get the usual suspects … mojito, sex on the beach, cosmo. At The Waterline we offer these too but with, the new-look bar oozing cool, we were keen to develop drinks that are as tasty as our new food menu. “A cocktail should be savoured and enjoyed, and should have layers of flavour, as well as having a little kick. They are a

treat and a joy! Every week I strive to develop at least one new cocktail of the week, and we have overhauled our daily choice to include some really special concoctions. “The Blood and Sand cocktail proved to be incredibly popular. It is a dangerous

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combination of scotch and sweet vermouth, with fresh orange and grenadine. “My personal favourite is the Polish martini which we serve with an apple chevron dusted with cinnamon. Followed closely by the Whisky Royale, a smooth tasting scotch whisky with apple juice and ginger ale. “We have recently starting stocking Durham Gin and we are really proud to bring a local feel to our gin based cocktails. “Sometimes however, we need a taste of farther flung shores, and our Goslings Black Seal Bermuda Rum cocktail is simply amazing. A traditional dark rum with Cointreau orange liqueur topped with Goslings ginger beer … it’s simply divine! “The Waterline also offers bespoke cocktails, for private and corporate events, which we will name after something appropriate to the event, so don’t forget to ask when you make your booking.” For more information on The Waterline visit www.thewaterline.co.uk

EDUCATION

The future’s bright Steph Shiel looks at the best independent schools in Newcastle, the North East and further afield.

NEWCASTLE Westfield www.westfield.newcastle.sch.uk Westfield Independent School for Girls, situated in the heart of Gosforth, offers a rewarding prospect of education for pupils aged three to 18. Westfield’s school has received numerous awards such as the prestigious Young Enterprise Centre of Excellence Awards and not to mention recognition of its work done with Round Square, UNESCO and the Comenius project. This small but state-of-the-art establishment allows for each girl to receive the highest standard of education, while being treated and nurtured as an individual to fulfil their full potential.

Royal Grammar School www.rgs.newcastle/sch.uk Located in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne

Royal Grammar School has a reputation as a leading and respected independent coeducational school for boys and girls aged seven-18. Exam results have placed the school as one of the best in the region. Well into a £10 million building and development programme, with new facilities in the process of being built, this thriving school of over 1300 students offers a wide variety of studies and extra curriculum activities allowing students to build character and confidence in all aspects of life.

Newcastle Preparatory School www.newcastlepropschool.org.uk Being the only independent preparatory school in the Tyneside area that specialises in the education of children three to 11 years of age, Newcastle Prep aims to prepare children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life while offering a warm and friendly environment to learn. The resources and facilities offered ensure each child receives the best possible teaching with classrooms are fitted with interactive

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whiteboards, to allow for teaching resources to be used from all over the world. Children also have access to outdoor sports facilities and a library to help educate them in the best possible way. Established in 1885, the school also has an epic history to draw upon.

Newcastle School for Boys www.newcastleschool.co.uk Providing education for boys aged three to 18 years old, Newcastle School for Boys, based in Gosforth, aims to develop students into first-rate characters who leave with skills to help support their life and continued success in education. A small school of around 400 pupils, the school caters for all types of abilities with each boy’s potential monitored using sophisticated assessments, not just academic exams. Along with the curriculum, the school offers a rich sporting programme full of opportunities for every student.

Newcastle School for Girls www.newcastlehigh.gdst.net

Two long established schools for girls in the region, Central Newcastle High school and Church High School, merged into one outstanding school this year. Newcastle High School for Girls which is one of the 24 schools and two academies of the Girls’ Day School Trust and encourages girls to grow in self confidence to reach their full potential. The school is set over five acres of grounds, which offers outdoor classrooms and sports facilities to encourage group participation.

Dame Allan’s www.daneallans.co.uk The diamond structure of Dame Allan’s School (boys and girls are educated together at the Junior School, separately in the Sensior School before returning to co-ed learning in the sixth form), gives children all the academic benefits of combined and single sex educational school within a secure environment to encourage self-discipline, selfconfidence and independent. Students at the Fenham-based school are constantly performing to the top of their ability, achieving A and A* grades in GCSE and A-levels, with the school also having a reputation for awards in extra curricular activities.

NORTH EAST Barnard Castle School www.barnardca stleschool.org.uk With an outstanding academic record and first class facilities, Barnard Castle co-educational independent day and boarding school offers children the chance to participate in a high standard of learning, grounded in Christian values, while also fully acknowledging the many different traditions and beliefs in society. Children are given the opportunity to find their niche, to embrace it and grow in a challenging and supportive environment. With this, Barnard Castle School holds a firm belief that boys and girls should learn to live and work together in an unpretentious, open and respectful manner.

Argyle House School www.argylehouseschool.co.uk As a leading independent school for boys and girls (aged 3-16), Argyle House School in Sunderland offers the facilities of a larger school, with the commitment to every individual in a smaller environment. The GCSE results from the school have also been named number one in Wearside. The school also offers the opportunity for strong parental involvement which it see as a crucial part of the standard of teaching and happiness of the children.

Sunderland High School www.sunderlandhigh.co.uk

At the heart of Sunderland High School is the aim to instill the foundations for further education. Something that is demonstrated with this year’s A level students achieving a 100 per cent pass rate. With a strong standard of teaching and extra curricular activities, the co-educational school offers the experience needed to encourage children to grow and develop into adults. Sunderland High School believes in a Christian ethos and is part of United Learning, offering a broad and high standard of education, and teaching underpinned by a moral purpose to support children throughout education. The school also offers extensive facilities to support and engage the students in all subjects and extra curricular activities from interactive white boards and independent study areas to all weather pitches and music studios, the school facilitates for all of the students needs and requirements.

Durham School www.durham school.co.uk Durham School, the independent day and boarding school for coeducation has 600 years of history, tradition and experience to offer children. The small classes and specialist teaching from early years encourages child to develop into further education. It also offers a wide range of opportunity for students to excel in a particular niche, with an outdoor education provision such as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, and a range of academic enrichment such a political and debating societies.

The Chorister School www.thechorister school.com The Chorister School in Durham offers coeducational prep, preprep and nursery day and boarding school education. Built on academic excellence and Christian values, the school offers a first class education with a broad, participative and balance curriculum. The dedicated staff, and the stunning surroundings steeped in the tradition of the school allow the children to achieve personal growth, self-discipline and understanding of the world around them. Each department offers modern and welcoming facilities, with small class ratios, to ensure that each individual receives the support and understand they deserve.

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Durham High School for Girls www.dhsfg.org.uk Being one of the first schools in the North East to educate girls seriously, Durham High School for Girls continues to provide a lively, friendly and high standard of education to each girl. Based firmly upon Christian values, the school encourages every student to use the moral and spiritual resources the school offers, to help them grow into independent and confident women in further education. Durham High School offers modern ICT and library facilities to encourage students to study and develop in their own time.

FURTHER AFIELD Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools www.esms.org.uk Being one of the largest independent families of schools in Europe, Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools, in Edinburgh, believes in treating every student as an individual, in order to teach them the core values of school. Built upon a diamond structure, the school encourages students to learn to live and work with each other, throughout the educational system. Each school offers a unique way to learning, allowing boy and girls to interact and grow together but also allow them to have chance to develop without distraction and pressure to conform. The boarding schools offer first class, modern facilities to provide a comfortable home for every student, welcoming them to the extended family of education.

Bootham School www.boothamschool.com Bootham School in York believes that education is more than knowledge, skills and paper qualifications, but also moral principles, and a positive view of the world as part of everyday education. The school follows the Quaker beliefs in which Quakers seek to experience god directly within the environment you live in, with this the school provides a community to promote this way of living within a positive learning environment stimulating and encouraging student (five-18)to achieve their best and nurture as an individual. Set in a nine-acre estate, Bootham offers day and boarding for co-education with a wide range of modern facilities to help students find their talents and support them into further development.

COVER STORY

development and achievement. The boys and girls come together again in the co-educational Sixth Form, at the tip of the diamond, the culmination of their journey. They are based in the purpose-built Queen’s Building, which was designed to create a stimulating environment for older teenagers. This is the time students develop their talents and leadership skills too, preparing them to take their place in an everchanging world.

hould we educate boys and girls together or separately? It is an age-old question and one that still has currency today. I was interested to hear the thoughts of Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, in last month’s BBC Radio 4’s programme, The Educators. Asked whether single sex or co-education was best he replied that there was no one best way. He went on to explain how he was surprised that there is more to an all boys education than he might have thought and it was not in the ways usually written about, which tends to be that boys do better academically because there are fewer distractions. Rather, the key issue for someone who had come to Eton from a coeducational school, was that, in Eton, there really was, ‘a lack of stereotype to be constrained by.” At Dame Allan’s, our diamond structure offers that freedom to both boys and girls: it is central to all we do.

EXCELLENCE The success of this diamond structure can be seen in the excellent exam results our students achieve. This year, our GCSE students in the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools achieved their best ever GCSE results, set against the background of a drive to end annually increasing grades For five of the last eight years Dame Allan’s has been the top performing school in Newcastle in the Government’s league tables for A levels, based on the average A level point score per pupil. This is a remarkably consistent achievement and a testament to the commitment and talent of our staff who have inspired, guided and supported our students. These tables do however, have important limitations and I sympathise with parents who are trying to interpret these statistics. They are becoming increasingly complex and contain anomalies caused by varying criteria added in year by year. However, I believe the biggest anomaly of league tables is their inability to reflect the many extra-curricular commitments our students make, an important consistent measure of their achievements. Earlier this year, for example, the Girls’ School Under 15 team was the winners of the 2014 National Schools Squash Championship, with the Under 19 team winning the silver medal in their age group. Meanwhile the Boys’ School Cross Country team was successful at the national level, coming second in the Under 14 English Schools Athletics Association Cross Country Cup. The Schools have built a national recognition in the performing arts, too. The Schools’ dance company Vizavis was selected to perform in New Dimensions, part of U.dance 2014, Youth Dance England’s flagship event, which is an outstanding achievement. The criteria for New Dimensions, which was first introduced last year, stipulates groups must produce 'work of an exceptional standard that pushes the boundaries of youth dance’. The judges expect the performance to be of a semiprofessional standard and only six to eight works from around the country are selected. A highlight of the last academic year was the Schools’ sponsored walk. Pupils and staff throughout Dame Allan’s, from the Nursery to the Sixth Form, walked all or part of the 11-mile route along the Derwent Valley from Blackhill to Blaydon to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

STABILITY Dame Allan’s diamond model is shaped from our experience of over 300 years educating boys and girls. This structure evolved to provide all the academic benefits of single sex education, combined with the social and cultural advantages of co-education. It really does deliver the best of both worlds.

Happiness At the base of the diamond is the Junior School and Nursery, which is set in extensive grounds. Here the fundamental belief is that learning should be fun. The young boys and girls grow and learn together to develop during their fun, formative and playful days in the Nursery. As they move through the Junior School they feel happy and secure, giving them the confidence to learn and develop new skills.

sINGLE SEX TEACHING This ethos of enjoyment continues when the pupils move up to the separate Boys’ and Girls’ Schools – the core of the diamond – at the age of eleven. Here the dedicated staff inspire and guide them to set and achieve challenging academic goals. They encourage pupils to set high standards, tailoring their teaching to suit boys’ and girls’ recognised different ways of learning, based on the findings of research into different learning styles and preferences. Pupils are taught by teachers who understand the educational and emotional needs of teenage boys and girls. The single sex main schools give pupils the scope to develop at their own pace and gain confidence to flourish in their chosen subjects, without the pressures of gender stereotyping which Tony Little described. This separation into Boys’ and Girls’ Schools encourages a selfconfidence and happiness that contributes to high academic

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The walk was organised by the Schools’ charity prefects Amy Shaw and Rob Kellaway and their successors Suzie Barwise Munro and Patrick Cunningham who took over their roles in May. They were joined on the walk by relentless fundraiser Tony the Fridge who inspired pupils – as well as taking part in the walk, too. Another joint occasion was Speech Day, when we welcomed back ex pupil Professor Ruth Gregory to present the prizes. Ruth perhaps epitomises the lack of stereotyping Tony Little praises. She is enjoying a successful career as a scientist, being Professor of Physics and Professor of Mathematical Sciences at Durham University and a winner of the prestigious Institute of

Physics Maxwell Medal. She recalled her time at Dame Allan’s: “What I most remember from school was the discovery of what I wanted to do, and the outstanding, consistent and often humorous support that I had from my core of sixth form teachers.” “Finally, my best recollection about school years was the freedom and support to develop as an individual.” That is what Dame Allan’s is all about. For more information on Dame Allan’s Schools visit www.dameallans.co.uk

Come and see what Dame Allan’s Schools are made of … Open Mornings: Dame Allan's Boys' and Girls’ Schools – Saturday, October 11 Dame Allan's Sixth Form Open Evening – Thursday, October 23 Please contact the Registrar for more information: registrar@dameallans.co.uk

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EDUCATION

An exciting place to learn Newcastle Preparatory School offers a unique and dynamic environment for children in their primary years. ducating children from the age of three to 11 years is an extremely important task. It is vital to establish foundations upon which children can build an exciting and rewarding future. The only preparatory school in Newcastle, Newcastle Preparatory School (NPS) exists purely to look after the needs of children in the primary years. The school prides itself in being experts in the world of primary education, always keeping abreast of new developments and eager to use a variety of teaching methods, so that all children can reach their potential. Working with young children, it is important to create an environment of warmth and security. NPS is a friendly, caring community which means that every child feels happy and valued. All visitors to school comment on the fantastic atmosphere. It is a place where children and adults communicate well and the happiness and confidence of the children are obvious from the moment you step through the doors. From the beginning of an education at

NPS, in First Steps Nursery, children enjoy learning in a variety of ways. A carefully planned Early Years curriculum offers activities that are appropriate for the age of the children. From this wonderful beginning children proceed through school and each stage brings new learning opportunities. NPS is an exciting place in which to learn. The well-resourced library is in the centre of school so a love of books is nurtured. Music and art studios are vibrant and there is an extremely well equipped Science Centre. ICT is a vital part of learning at NPS so all children has access to iPads, computers, interactive boards and Kindles. French is also taught throughout school with taster sessions in Spanish and German being offered so that children become confident in other languages. A purpose-built sports hall is an excellent facility offering opportunities for all indoor sports, gymnastics and trampolining. There is also a large playing field as well as an outdoor adventure trail, ball courts, role

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play areas and a garden. Beyond the classroom or extending the school day there are many activities. Children at NPS enjoy day visits, residential outdoor activity weeks, skiing in Norway, cycling in Holland, drama productions, chess, cookery, comic and games club, photography, art, glee, choir, orchestra and a range of sports activities. A successful and dynamic school, there are plans to continue the up-to-date education by extending the building to provide exciting new classrooms for Reception children leading into a garden for Early Years, a performing arts area to create even more opportunities for drama and music as well as an imaginative top floor playground where children can explore and relax. A unique and forward-looking school, NPS is where children begin an excellent and exciting education â&#x20AC;&#x201C; leading to great success in senior school and beyond. For more information on Newcastle Preparatory School visit www.newcastleprepschool.org.uk

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EDUCATION

Westfield welcomes its new head Catherine Jawaheer joins one of the region’s leading independent girls’ schools. atherine Jawaheer has taken up her position as the new head at Westfield School for Girls in Gosforth. Originally from Liverpool, Catherine is no stranger to the North East, having prevoiously lived in the region for more than six years while teaching at two Durham schools. Catherine arrives at Westfield, having been head at an independent school in the Midlands for the last four years. Previously, she has also held deputy head and teaching roles in the Midlands and worked in an educational capacity in Chicago in the United States. She say: “I’m deeply honoured and very excited at the prospect of being back in the North East and to become head at such a successful and well respected school. “Mrs Farndale has done a most incredible job here in the last 24 years and the pupils’ successes during that time are a lasting legacy upon which I fully hope to build. I share the same values, that the care, encouragement and achievement of each

to my beliefs and values. “I believe that we should prepare all of our girls to face the challenges of being successful but more importantly happy, confident, curious and creative young ladies. “In the future, when girls at Westfield are ready to leave school, I would like them to be better equipped for a life in which, both at work and at home, they can make their mark in the world, so girls learn how to think creatively, to recognize each other’s strengths and inspire each other to work together to achieve their full potential.” “There is certainly something special about our school and I would be delighted to give prospective parents a tour of the school so that they can experience at first hand this very special atmosphere.”

individual at our school are the most crucial elements. “I’m a huge advocate of creating a curriculum which offers each student the very best chance of success. “Westfield operates on a scale which will enable me to know each child individually. This is something that is crucial

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Westfield School Open Day will takes place on Saturday October 18, from 10am to 1pm. Junior House is holding an Open Week from October 13-17. For further information, contact the school on (0191) 255 3980 or visit www.westfield.newcastle.sch.uk

EDUCATION

Exceptional education Alan Stevens has been headmaster at Barnard Castle School since 2010. He tells North East Times what ‘Barney’ offers its students.

boys and girls is the development of confidence, integrity, resilience and team-work which are learned in a range of sports and more than 100 extra-curricular activities.

Tell me a bit about Barnard Castle School ... Barnard Castle School, or ‘Barney’ as it is affectionately known, is strongly based on a sense of shared values and purpose. The school’s 800 year-old origins create a palpable sense of identity and of being part of a long tradition of learning as part of an unpretentious, close, happy community. Today Barney offers boys and girls aged from four to 18 years a rigorous academic education, while rounding this with opportunities for ambitious drama and outstanding musical achievement as well as top class sports coaching in a range of team and individual pursuits.

What was your career before you joined ‘Barney’? I have been fortunate to work in several schools which have boarding as well as day pupils and the richness of experience that a boarding ethos provides for all pupils is a real asset in any school. I worked as head of History and housemaster in an independent School in Northern Ireland before taking a sabbatical to go to Yale University where I researched aspects of child development in American schools while also indulging my love of history. Shortly after returning to the UK, I joined the senior leadership team of Trent College near Nottingham and in 2010 moved to Barnard Castle to become headmaster.

What is Barnard Castle School's ethos? We are committed to providing an excellent educational experience for boys and girls. Each child is nurtured and encouraged to develop to their fullest potential and we believe that boys and girls learn to live and work together best in an unpretentious, open and respectful manner, as

What makes the school special? When a good friend and colleague who was head of English at Barnard Castle School left last year, he wrote: “The school is a microcosm of the way the world ought to be. I wish it were a microcosm of a bigger macrocosm, but of course it isn’t. It’s a kind of Utopia – a nowhere land which doesn’t exist – except that it does.” I can do no better.

befits our school’s Christian foundation and values. We believe that every child at Barnard Castle School will find his or her niche here and will also have the opportunity to embrace new challenges in an atmosphere of supportive encouragement.

How do students benefit from attending Barnard Castle School? We believe in giving our children space to enjoy their childhood without the pressure to grow up too quickly. They also learn a sense of duty, selflessness and the importance of community. As they progress through the school, they develop and exercise leadership in a caring, collaborative manner and in the Sixth Form they not only do it, but they also study the theory behind it with guest lectures in behavioural psychology and practical leadership in the workplace. We believe in a broad and balanced academic curriculum for all, promoting the rewards of endeavour, the wonder of discovery and the richness that comes from an aptitude for life-long learning. Equally essential to the success of our

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What are the short and long-term plans for the school? In the short term, we have prepared plans for a very modern Sixth Form Centre and we also intend to build several additional classrooms at our Prep School to accommodate the healthy number of children who want to join us. We also aim to keep our fees as low as possible and to offer outstanding value for money. To this end, we plan to use our assets as much as possible during school holidays to provide alternative sources of income. Recently we have hosted a range of academic, cultural and sporting residential courses and events, ranging from the Institute of Physics to Newcastle Falcons Academy. In the long term we have an ambitious capital development plan to replace and complement existing buildings and to ensure that everything that our children and staff do is supported by the very best quality resources which are available so that Barney remains the school of choice in the North East. For more information on Barnard Castle School visit www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk

MOTORS

Behind the wheel by Jessica Laing.

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JAGUAR XE aguar introduces the XE: the all-new, midsized premium sports sedan, set to be the most advanced, efficient and refined sports sedan in its class. The aluminium-intensive model – which goes on sale in spring 2015 – is the first model designed around Jaguar’s new modular architecture. Not only is it the only car in its class to use an aluminium monocoque (making it the lightest, stiffest and most aerodynamic Jaguar saloon ever), it is the first Jaguar to be equipped with electric power steering and the first car in the world to use RC 5754 – an aluminium alloy, made from recycled materials, that offers impressive savings in overall CO2 emissions and makes it the most environmentally sustainable and fuel efficient Jaguar to date. If that wasn’t enough, it also boasts the lowest cost of ownership of any Jaguar. Inside, the XE’s spacious, cockpit-

F.Y.I. Engine – 3.0-litre V6 Power – 340bhp Torque – 450Nm at 4,500rpm Top speed – 155mph Acceleration – 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds Fuel consumption – 33.9mpg CO2 emissions – 194g/km

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like cabin (complete with a deep centre console and ambient lighting in a range of up to 10 colours) provides drivers and passengers with generous amounts of head and legroom and boasts streamlined styling in a range of fabrics and finishes, such as fine-grain leather and sleek wood veneers. Safety-wise, the model features a deployable aluminium bonnet (ensuring high levels of pedestrian impact protection) and is the first in the world to be equipped with All Surface Progress Control (ASPC); an all-new system that works like a low-speed cruise control to deliver optimum traction, even in the most slippery conditions, without skidding or the driver using the pedals. Technology-wise, the XE offers a new InControl infotainment system, including an eight-inch touchscreen, and functions as a Wi-Fi hotspot. From £27,000.

MOTORS Sales controller Lee Spence with the Fiesta model.

When I’m Sixty-Four Jennings Motor Group reports a boost in group sales following the new ‘64’ plate change. ulti-award winning Jennings Motor Group has announced a boost in new car sales as a result of the new September registration plate change, indicating a slow but consistent recovery in the motor industry. The company’s Ford, Kia, Mazda and SEAT dealerships, have recorded another successful month as customers take advantage of the wide product ranges available for the new ‘64’ registration plate change across the group. An additional dealership to the Jennings empire has also further boosted sales for the region’s longest established motor dealer group. The new Jennings Mitsubishi franchise located on Cargo Fleet Lane in Middlesbrough, officially opened for business in time for customers to take advantage of the new registration plate change. Nas Khan, managing director of Jennings Motor Group, says: “We are delighted and extremely encouraged with the number of new car sales recorded across the group for the month of September and look forward to continued growth in the new car market as customers take advantage of the competitivelypriced, high quality products across the Ford, Kia, Mazda, SEAT and Mitsubishi range.” At Jennings Ford dealerships based in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Gateshead, customers have continued to take advantage of the award-winning Ford Fiesta, which is still topping the popularity chart as the number one choice. Having remained Britain’s best-selling car

since 2009, when it overtook the Ford Focus, the Ford Fiesta is officially Britain’s best-selling vehicle ever, with sales exceeding 4.11 million registrations since it was launched in 1976. The multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, designed and engineered in the UK, has played a pivotal role in the success of the Fiesta with more than 40 per cent of Fiesta buyers in the UK choosing it as their preferred powertrain. The Fiesta, which was crowned What Car? 2014 Best Small Car, offers a range of six powertrains and a Titanium X Series, in addition to a host of technology features. Other models in the Ford range include the Ka, Fiesta ST, Focus, Focus ST, Mondeo, CMAX, B-MAX, Kuga, S-MAX, Galaxy and the all-new EcoSport, which are on display and available to test drive at Jennings Ford’s branch network. Meanwhile, the group’s Jennings Kia dealership in Stockton has celebrated its first year of successful business with record sales. The dealership has recorded a phenomenal year for both new and used car sales, achieved Kia’s prestigious Top 100 club after selling more than 100 new cars in March and is currently one of the top performing dealers in the country. Located on Concorde Way in Stockton, staff at the dealership celebrated the anniversary, which coincided with the launch of the new September registration plate launch, by offering customers who purchased a car over the weekend of the anniversary, the opportunity to take advantage of the Kia Care-

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3, an all inclusive three-year service package. The third generation, urban friendly Sportage SUV, which was re-launched with a fresh new look at the beginning of the year, continues to dominate sales at the dealership. In addition to this, customers have also been taking advantage of the all-new Kia Soul model, which made its debut at the dealership in May. This quarter, customers will be able to take advantage of the manufacturer’s first allelectric, zero emissions Kia Soul EV model. The group also operates a Kia dealership, which was launched in 2011 on Parsons Road in Washington. Throughout September customers visiting Jennings Mazda’s dealership in Middlesbrough, which has recently celebrated ten successful years of business, took advantage of a range of finance offers, including zero deposit and 0 per cent APR. And at Jennings SEAT, two new models including the new Leon Cupra and Leon ST attracted customers to the Middlesbrough dealership. In addition to selling a range of new car models from a variety of manufacturers, Jennings branches across the region are also able to cater for customers after sales needs with service, accident repair centres and parts departments on site. For more information about the range of products and services available at Jennings Motor Group, visit www.jenningsmotorgroup.co.uk

MOTORS Alan Shearer with Colin Pybus and Rikki Ledger from Benfield.

Benfield car donation is Shear-class! The motor company donates a brand new Renault Twingo as a raffle prize in aid of the Alan Shearer Foundation.

ormer Newcastle United football legend Alan Shearer has personally thanked the North East’s largest motor group, Benfield for its generosity after the family run business donated a brand new Renault Twingo in support of the Alan Shearer Foundation. The brand new Renault Twingo is to be raffled off and has been donated by the Benfield Charitable Trust. The car was dropped off in the grounds of the Alan Shearer Centre, Newcastle, the specialist residential, respite and social provision for disabled people, which is managed by North East charity St Cuthberts Care and maintained with funds raised through the Alan Shearer Foundation. This follows previous generous donations by Benfield Charitable Trust, including a Kia Picanto earlier this year, which was donated to St Oswald’s Hospice, helping it to raise £45,000.

Handing over the Twingo’s keys to Alan, Benfield Motor Group's Operations Director, Colin Pybus, said that Benfield had teamed up with Alan's Foundation because of the exceptional services the Centre offers to people with complex disabilities, and their families, from across the region. Colin says: “We are delighted to have the chance to support the Alan Shearer Foundation in this way. Benfield is a familyrun business with solid roots in the North East and we are always looking at ways in which we can support the tremendous efforts being made by the region’s charity sector. Alan is an icon here in the North East and we are proud to support him as he continues his outstanding work as a charity ambassador.” Alan visited the centre to personally thank staff from Benfield, as well as stalwart Foundation fundraiser Keith Harbottle, a Northumbria Police officer, who raises

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money for the charity under his Action4Smiles initiative. A school team from St Thomas More Catholic School in Blaydon, which raised £17,000 for the Foundation in this year's Young Social Entrepreneur competition, was also invited to the centre to meet Alan. "It's fantastic that local firm Benfield has chosen to donate the Twingo to the Foundation raffle," said Alan. "I really do appreciate every single effort made by people from across the North East to support the charity – from corporate companies to individual donors and sponsors." Raffle tickets for the car cost £5 each and will be on sale between now and Christmas Eve. Tickets can be purchased from Lesley Fulton on 07730 983 193. For more information on availability contact St Cuthberts Care's West Road head office on (0191) 228 0111.

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MOTORS

Cross country motoring Bob Arora test drives the Volvo V40 Cross Country he car I have had the pleasure of driving this month is the Volvo V40 Cross Country courtesy of Mill Volvo, Newcastle. My first car was a Volvo 340; it obviously wasn't the trendiest car for a young driver but one of the safest around. I think it was a 1.7lt engine and it wasn't the best for fuel consumption partly due to the boxy unaerodynamic shape, although while I owned the car, it never skipped a beat and it was totally reliable, whatever the weather. The V40 has been a phenomenal sales success for Volvo and it's really easy to see why. The cute looking car is something a little bit different to the run of the mill Focus, Astra and Golf. Being a Volvo not only is the design a little bit quirky to look at, but it's also cool and funky inside too. The car I had the pleasure of driving recently was the V40 Cross Country, which looks like a V40 that has been to the gym working out. The car has a higher ride height along with chunkier bumpers, sporty looking silver roof rails and integrated led lights. Despite looking like a quite serious off roader, this car is only front wheel drive; a four wheel drive version is available in the range topping 2.5lt 5 cylinder engine. I am sure the front wheel drive car will get most owners out of most trouble in bad weather. The Cross Country carries a £1000 premium over the V40. Anyone looking for a higher driving position and funky looking styling should look no further. The cars main

competition is likely to be the Nissan Qashqai, Skoda Yeti, Audi Q3 and the BMW X1. The car I drove was priced at just under £25,000, which is on par with its competitors; while the car’s trump card has to be its amazing fuel economy. I drove the D2 version that is fitted with a 1.6lt Diesel engine. This car has 115bhp and it helps get you up to 115mph or 62mph in 11.2 seconds. Picking the car up I noticed the Cross Country's fuel economy figure of 74mpg and 99g/km CO2 emissions. As I normally have quite a heavy right foot I remember thinking it was going to be totally unachievable. So as I set off I decided to put the computer readout onto fuel economy and I was amazed to see the car was returning well over 60mpg, which I thought was excellent considering the car was an automatic. Now believe me when I say I have never

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seen these consumption figures with my rather spirited driving style. Inside, you are greeted with a large steering wheel and the indicator and wiper storks wouldn't look out of place in a Volvo lorry. The car feels very well put together and it goes without saying it feels a very solid and safe place to be. The two-tone leather interior seemed to give the inside a bit more life and soul. My car also had a panoramic roof, which again helped make the car feel a lot more light and airy. Some of the minor controls were a bit confusing especially when on the move and I am sure they could be simplified. My favourite bit of the dash had to be the electronic speedo and rev counter. You could change the dials to suit your driving style so if you were feeling sporty you can choose the sport option or the Eco mode that puts the emphasis totally on fuel economy and driving economically. The car’s boot space is 335ltrs with some extra stowage space underneath the boot floor, which was ideal for hiding away valuables or for extra storage. The seats also fold down if extra space is required. And, as with most Volvos, the car’s rear middle seat can be made into a child's booster seat which, for young families, is a real bonus. After driving this car I remembered why I loved my first car and thankfully the car was way more fuel efficient than my original Volvo. Anyone looking to buy a great looking and practical car really needs to head on down to Mill Volvo, because, as they quite regularly tell us, now is the time to choose Volvo!

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H E A LT H

Stay safe With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Spire Washington Hospital’s breast care specialist nurse Amanda Pinkerton talks through the key things you need to know to stay safe. What should ladies look for when checking for signs of breast cancer? The first thing to be aware of is what’s normal for you so you can spot any changes as soon as they happen. Looking and doing a physical check needs to be a regular activity because, as with any cancer, speed is of the essence when it comes to a potential diagnosis and treatment. The best thing is to apply a common sense approach. If there are any changes in the shape or size of your breast, or you can see or feel a lump or thickening of the skin, that can be an indicator that something isn’t right. The same goes for any rash, redness or discharge from the nipple, or if the nipple becomes inverted, changes position or puckers/dimples. What many people don’t realise is that swelling in the armpit or collarbone, or constant pain in the armpit or breast can also be a warning sign. Please remember though that having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean anything serious is wrong – it’s just a good idea to get checked out.

What are the options for those with concerns or wanting peace of mind? The best advice for anyone with concerns is to immediately seek advice from a GP, especially if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above. If you are anxious generally, it is possible to

refer yourself for a scan. Spire Washington Hospital has a Wellness Clinic that offers the service. Many ladies find it hugely reassuring to be able to access scanning and put their minds at rest.

What kind of risk does breast cancer pose? According to the charity Breast Cancer Care, one in eight women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. Nearly 55,000 people are diagnosed with it annually and it is the second most common cause of death from cancer in women in the UK. The facts are really sobering and underline exactly how important it is to look after yourself through regular checks.

What happens when ladies are referred to Spire Washington Hospital’s Breast Clinic? Our consultants will take a full history and carry out a clinical examination usually followed by a mammogram and / or ultrasound. If there is a lump, a fine needle aspiration is performed, which extracts breast cells from the lump for us to analyse very quickly in the lab. Sometimes a core biopsy is needed and we ask the lady concerned to come back in 48 hours. If there is a cancer diagnosis, it is at this point we start discussing potential treatments.

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This could be surgery followed by a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment but it all depends on the individual. We have a dedicated oncology unit where all chemotherapy and pre-op assessment takes place and this is also where we fit each breast prosthesis after a mastectomy. For those further on through their treatment, we offer breast reconstructions and nipple tattooing services too.

What other support is available at Spire Washington Hospital? Our Breast Clinic is open every day and evening appointments are available as we try to be as accessible as possible. There is a strong patient support network that takes place on the first Wednesday of every month at which experiences are exchanged and topics like nutrition, exercise, wigs and bras are covered. We also offer holistic therapies and acupuncture for patients experiencing hot flushes. As a team, we always look to support a national and local cancer charity and in October we’re having a Pink Day to fundraise for local and national cancer charities – something that we’re very proud to do. For more information about Spire’s breast care services, please visit www.spirewashington.com or call (0191) 418 8687.

WELL-BEING

Active Isolated Stretching Be-Fit’s Will St Leger on why flexibility is so important to health. o you have great posture? Can you still touch your toes? If the answers to these two questions is no then you can count yourself among a large part of the current population who suffer with poor flexibility. If you consider that most injuries incurred these days are as a result of decreased flexibility causing poor ROM (range of movement) then the answer is yes, your ability to stay flexible is extremely important to your health, well-being and longevity. Unlike most other physical characteristics your flexibility can be improved upon almost immediately and we can achieve this through the use of Active Isolated Stretching (AIS). AIS is a form of therapeutic stretching developed by Arron Mattes. This method of fascial release provides effective dynamic facilitated stretch of all major muscles groups and extremities throughout the body from the

neck to shoulders to legs to hips, ankles, fingers, toes etc. The Mattes’ Method is an effective therapeutic treatment for deep and superficial fascial release that restores optimal muscle length and increases ROM. Some of the many benefits of AIS treatment include:

• Muscle and tendon range of movement of up to 1.6 times their resting length. • Removal of metabolic waste products which in turn improves muscular oxidation to eliminate aches and pains and aid recovery for anything from injury to surgery and exercise. • Reduced postural tightness due to aging. • Increased muscular strength. • Weight loss. For more information call Be-Fit on (0191) 213 5300.

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WELL-BEING

Health tips Bodyguards Fitness Service Ltd is a private one-to-one training facility based in Jesmond. Its director, Tony Douglass, offers advice for boosting your energy levels and beating the bulge. 1: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT • Fill your cupboards and refrigerator with nutritious foods. • Try to eat at least five fresh seasonal vegetables a day. • Look for organic options. • Avoid all processed food. • If you can’t read the ingredients, don’t buy it. • Try to eat the correct proportions of macronutrients for your body. • Try metabolic type testing to calculate the ideal ratio of carbohydrates, proteins and fats for you. • Avoid hydrogenated fats. • Minimise your usage of sugar, salt and flour.

2: AVOID EXCESS STRESS • Be aware of excessive physical stress (eg.overtraining) and excessive mental stress (eg, anxiety, work, relationships). • Never undervalue positivity and laughter. • Also be aware of other types of stresses – chemical (medication/drugs), electromagnetic (radiation/Wi-Fi/mobile phones), nutritional (poor dietry intake) and thermal (too hot/cold) • Remember everything around you is a potential stressor. Stress is necessary to evolution and adaptation. Balancing your overall stress levels is important because excessive stress is detrimental to your health. Excess stress can stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight), release catabolic hormones like cortisol, breakdown muscles and bones,

decrease growth and repair and cause illness and disease.

3: SLEEP, REST, RELAXATION • We should be most active in the morning. Winding down as the day goes on and relaxing in the evening • Be aware of your circadian rhythm. • When the sun goes down our bodies begin to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, release melatonin (sleep hormone) and reduce cortisol levels. The body starts to rest, physically and psychologically repairing and improving itself. • When the sun rises again we activate the sympathetic nervous system, release seratonin (‘get up and go’ hormone) and increase cortisol levels. The body starts to ‘metabolise’ quicker and the heart rate increases. • Ideally we should sleep when the sun goes down and wake when it rises. • Realistically try to be in bed by 10.30pm and awake by 6.30am. • Avoid raising your cortisol levels in the evening to maximise recovery by avoiding stimulants such as bright lights, caffeine and sugar in the evening. • Take regular breaks and make time to relax.

• A bad breakfast or no breakfast can lead to snacking, caffeine or sugar cravings. • Lack of a good breakfast can cause the body to look for nutrients within itself and breakdown muscle and bone to provide protein and calcium to the blood (catabolic state). • Excessive nutritional stress has a detrimental effect on the function of the systems of the body such as digestion. • Eat more while your metabolism is high (morning). • Eat less as your metabolism decreases (evening).

5: REGULAR EXERCISE • Train the whole body with three dimensional, functional movement. • At least 3x20mins of cardiovascular exercise (where heart rate is 65-85 per cent max) per week. • Be efficient with your exercise time. • Choose exercise that you enjoy. • Train your weakest areas. • Listen to your body and respond to any aches or niggles. • Vary the form of exercise regularly in order to constantly improve your levels of fitness. • Overload and progression is vital to improvement. • Remember everybody is different.

4: YOU ARE WHEN YOU EAT • Breakfast is still by far the most important meal of the day.

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For more information email info@bodyguardsapt.com or call (0191) 239 9000.

WELL-BEING

Rock n roll care Bluebird Care takes a musical flight back to the 60s for dementia patients. luebird Care (Northumberland South), which offers domiciliary care, support and assistance for people who need help to allow them to continue living in their own home, enlisted the help of a local rock n roll star to help people suffering from dementia. The company enlisted the help of Newbiggin rock n roll drummer Paul Hooper, a prominent figure in the music industry who has played thousands of venues all around the world with bands such as The Fortunes and Prelude. At a special coffee afternoon at Newbiggin’s Maritime Centre, Paul gave a talk illustrated with music about his life on the road and in the studio during the 1960s and 70s. In it, he recalled playing on stage with ELO’s Jeff Lynne and George Harrison from The Beatles as well as demonstrating his drum playing. “I was delighted to help relive happy memories for those people who have been diagnosed with this debilitating condition. Music is a great leveller and it was wonderful to chat with everyone about their personal memories of the swinging sixties and good old fashioned rock and roll,” said Paul.

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INTERVIEW

Get to know me ...

Christoph Atkins Assistant investment manager at Rathbone Investment Management.

When I was growing up I wanted to be many things: a farmer, an army officer, an inventor (although I’m not sure quite what of), an explorer, the list goes on …

My first job was a summer job in Austria working as a zoo keeper, when I was 16. I loved it, however, as you can imagine being the youngest employee and only there for the summer, I got quite a few of the more ‘messy’ jobs!

I’d tell my 18 year-old-self to have more self-belief and trust in my instincts. I’m inspired by the people I have met as a trustee of Headway Gateshead and South Tyneside, a charity that provides support for people with

severe brain injuries. I have often been humbled by seeing what other people and their families sometimes go through, as well as feeling inspired by their wills to push on.

My greatest achievement is my two beautiful children. When I need a helping hand I turn to my colleagues, both in the Newcastle office and over the rest of the country. I have found that there has always been someone who can help, either having faced the problem before or by having some good suggestions learned through similar circumstances.

My favourite novel is Tai-Pan written by James Clavell. The setting and many of the characters are based on actual events. It is about European and American traders who move into Hong Kong in 1842 following

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the end of the First Opium War. This was the first book I read about Hong Kong and its beginnings. I found it fascinating and was then lucky enough to visit Hong Kong a few years later, exploring a number of places in the book that still exist.

In my spare time, I love to explore the North East. I am still fairly new to the region, however my wife, who was born and brought up in the region, is an excellent guide – apart from one time when we got the car stuck in a bog in the middle of Northumberland!

In five years’ time, my career will have developed further, looking after and managing more North East individuals and businesses' wealth, firmly rooted where I live now. www.rathbones.com