Northern Insight - January 2016 by Northern Insight

NORTHERN

INSIGHT JANUARY 2016

COLLINGWOOD LEGAL The Employment Law Specialists

business property media technology motors leisure issue 7

The Coast al Account ant s

ReadMilburn & C O M PA N Y

Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors

71 Howard Street, North Shields, NE30 1AF t: 0191 257 0355 e: info@readmilburn.co.uk Annual Accounts • Self Assessment • PAYE Compliance • VAT Compliance • Management Accounts • Statutory Audits • Tax Planning • Revenue Investigations • Contribution Agency • Investigations • VAT Investigations • Company Formations • Business Start-Ups • Information technology • Forensic Accounting • Special Assignments

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Meet...

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lover of the finer things in life and non more so than baking delicious treats the old fashioned way with her daughter. Brooklyn Blackout Cake, Banana Loaf or Battenburg cake are among her favourites.

Gwen is one of our Solicitors specialising in Health Care and Commercial Property sales and acquisitions. She also deals with non-contentious Landlord and Tenant matters as well as heading up our Small Business service - Core Speak to Gwen to see how she can help you, call 0191 389 5105 or email gwen.jones@gblf.co.uk

Real People. Really great lawyers.

NORTHERN INSIGHT

foreword Welcome to the January edition of Northern Insight Magazine. Firstly may I wish all readers a Happy New Year. 2015 saw the exciting launch of the title which was fantastically well received within its first 6 editions. I have great plans to continue to develop and evolve it in the months ahead and build on its initial success. The first edition of 2016 has much to enthuse with festive party pics, interesting profiles and entertaining reviews all to the fore. Our cover star is Collingwood Legal, a very different law firm. I hope you enjoy.

Michael Grahamslaw, publisher

contents january ‘16

Business News - 6-7 Cover Story - 14-15 Collingwood Legal

Entrepreneurs Interview - 26-27 Karen Weir

Technology News - 56 Arts News - 62-63

Leisure News - 72-73

credits Managing Director - Michael Grahamslaw Design & Web - Louise O’Rourke, Ruairi McGuinness Lead Photography - Crest Photography Additional Photography - Gordon Taylor

Editorial Contributors Ken Spearen, Jack Grahamslaw, Holly Grahamslaw, Gordon Taylor www.northern-insight.co.uk

facebook.com/northerninsight

@ninsightmag

All photos are copyright MJG Publishing Ltd and are taken solely for use in Northern Insight. If you wish to purchase a photograph please contact Michael Grahamslaw on mjgrahamslaw@outlook.com 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 are free of charge, for adverts designed by Northern Insight (MJG Publishing Ltd) Cancellations: If an advert is cancelled by the booker within a 7 day period prior to our print deadline, the advert will be charged in full, plus VAT. Editorial Editorial Contributions should include a stamped addressed envelope. No responsibility is accepted for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission, or while in the Managing Directors or Printers hands. Editorial must be received by the 15th of the month or no responsibility 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, a loss of artwork, tranparencies or photographs. Complaints will only be considered for up to a week after publication. Advertising must be received by the 20th of the month. No responsibility is accepted for errors.

BUSINESS NEWS

O PR raises over 5K for Sunshine Fund Newcastle creative communications agency, O PR, has raised more than £5,000 for its chosen charity of 2015, The Sunshine Fund. The team at O have all taken part in various activities throughout the year including running to the top of Arthur’s Seat, a monumental 251 metres high hill in Edinburgh, the Great North Run and the 5K Sunshine Run. Staff at O also arranged a fashion show at Quayside restaurant, Gusto, with Gordon Brown Law Firm, as well as a successful ladies only ‘networking and nails’ event at House of Savannah Spa where they made donations for

mini manicures and eyebrow shaping.

the year too!

All money raised will go towards helping to change the lives of children living with disabilities in the region.

“I’m really proud of my whole team. We chose The Sunshine Fund as all money raised goes directly to North East children and their families and it’s a charity that touches us all.”

O PR Managing Director, Kari Owers, said: “As the business turned 10 years old earlier this year, we set ourselves the challenge to take part in at least 10 charitable activities throughout 2015 to raise as much money as possible for our chosen charity. “As well as strenuous challenges, we also had a lot of fun by taking part in ‘Go Bananas Day’ and ‘Superhero Day’ to name a few and I’m sure we’ve eaten quite a lot of charitable cakes throughout

Clare Savory, head of fundraising at The Chronicle Sunshine Fund, said: "A huge thank you to all the staff at OPR, they raised an amazing amount. We were delighted to be their nominated charity.” O has committed to pledge its support to charity in 2016, with one member of staff who has already started fundraising to take part in one of the foreign trek challenges.

Outstanding triple award win for JDDK at Durham Environment Awards Newcastle-based architects, Jane Darbyshire & David Kendall, JDDK Ltd, received two project awards and an outstanding award at the County Durham Partnership Environment Awards. The annual awards ceremony, organised by the County Durham Environment Partnership, recognises great design, environmental achievement and community spirit. The judges selected 39 projects or individuals to be honoured, with just two projects this year awarded as

‘outstanding’. JDDK’s state-of-the-art Wear Referrals Veterinary Hospital received outstanding awards in the Built Environment and Climate Change categories. The purpose built veterinary referral and emergency hospital is a centre of excellence equipped with the latest facilities for specialist animal care. The high tech building sits in the surrounding rural environment and features biomass heating, photovoltaic panels and an integrated landscaping scheme.

Dr Gerard te Lintelo, Wear Referrals Clinical Director and Veterinary Surgeon, commented: “JDDK's work stood out above all of the other architects. The awards won are a testimony to the hard work and professional skills of JDDK and Wear Referrals.” A special mention was given to Ian Clarke, who sadly passed away in the summer. He was a JDDK Director and was responsible for the design of the hospital.

1996

2016

Be seen in all the right places... THE MEDIA PLANNING & BUYING SPECIALISTS

www.mikelynchadvertising.co.uk

BUSINESS NEWS

Major North East project secures £2.2 million Lottery grant The Land of Oak & Iron project, which focuses on the Derwent Valley and the surrounding area, have secured £2.2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards a £3.4m scheme. Delivery of the £3.4m scheme, which will start next year and run until 2020, will encompass: restoring the few surviving traces of the area’s heritage, re-instating natural features to their former glory, organising community archaeology schemes and educational activities for local schoolchildren, establishing a skills initiative, reviving cultural activities and establishing a successful scheme.

NE businesswoman named Britain’s most enterprising mum Northumberland entrepreneur, Sarah Pittendrigh, has been named ‘Mumpreneur of the Year’ at a prestigious awards ceremony held in London. Sarah, who runs Simply Bows and Chair Covers near Hexham, picked up the award at the NatWest Everywoman Awards, which celebrates business excellence amongst female entrepreneurs. Sarah beat off competition to pick up the award in the ‘Aphrodite’ category which recognises women who founded their businesses whilst raising children aged 12 or under.

JK Property Consultants announce partnership with NewcastleGateshead Initiative One of the North East’s leading property consultants have joined marketing agency, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, as silver partners. Newcastle-based JK Property Consultants will work closely with NGI’s Invest Newcastle team to market the region to investors, developers and businesses in the UK and internationally. They will work to attract more inward investment to the area. JK Property Consultants joins 170 businesses as partners of NewcastleGateshead Initiative. Kevan Carrick, Principal at JK Property Consultants LLP, said: “I’m looking forward to working in partnership with the team so Newcastle will be seen as a great place to do business.”

Newcastle International Airport unveils plaque to commemorate war time role Newcastle International Airport has continued its 80th Anniversary celebrations with the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate those who served at Royal Air Force Woolsington during 1939 to 1945. Operations Director, Richard Knight OBE, was joined by Air Commodore, Ian Forster, and The Lord Mayor of Newcastle to unveil the plaque, which is located in the terminal before security. Richard said: “I am delighted to house such a prestigious plaque that marks those who served at RAF Woolsington.”

North East estate agents round off epic year by dominating local letting market A North East estate agents have rounded off a fantastic year by being crowned the number one letting agency in Darlington. Venture Properties has taken top spot out of 103 other agencies. This latest accolade is the icing on the cake of what has been an epic year for Venture, which has included the opening of a new office, adding to its team of employees, launching a new website and stamping its mark on social media. In Addition, Venture Properties have a strong sense of community around the region. In September, the company raised thousands of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Going the extra mile for serious injuries Individuals suffering from serious injuries are set to benefit thanks to collaboration between TLW Solicitors and Pulse Community Healthcare. TLW Solicitors’ team of serious injury lawyers have embarked on a training course with Pulse Community Healthcare to help understand the longer-term implications and needs of their clients. The solicitors have a wealth of experience dealing with serious injury claims as they provide a range of legal services, including professional negligence, personal injury, motoring offences and financial mis-selling.

The North East’s original corporate finance boutique is back. For all of your deal needs call Chris Appleby, David Bell or Abu Ali on 0191 269 9898

2 Collingwood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1JF

1996

www.quantum-cf.co.uk

2016

Shouting louder than your budget will allow. THE MEDIA PLANNING & BUYING SPECIALISTS

www.mikelynchadvertising.co.uk

BUSINESS INSIGHT

New year, new (career) opportunity Get 2016 off to a winning start with a career change says SearchBI’s Mark Harbottle

A new career move tops many New Year’s resolution lists but finding the right role in a competitive jobs market can be tough. Mark Harbottle, director at Newcastle niche IT recruiters SearchBI, explains why Business Intelligence (BI) and Agile technologies could be the right move.

As the festive frivolities fade and you stare ahead to the dark days of January and February, the prospect of dragging yourself back to work (and a job) you can barely stand can be depressing to say the least. So, it’s no wonder that the start of a new year is often the impetus for thousands to give themselves a career kick-start. But how do you land that ideal job? Start by creating a plan that includes identifying your skills, strengths and successes before asking yourself: “What can I bring to this job that others can’t?” Are you really the person outlined in the job spec? It’s also important to start thinking about what you actually enjoy doing. Why apply for another job that will only make you unhappy? There’s no point jumping from one career dead end to another – your dream job is out there; you just need some help to find it. Remember also that we inhabit a digital world and it’s a given that companies check social media these days so clean up your profile. Use the internet to promote yourself and showcase your talents: set up a profile with LinkedIn and other professional networking sites to get

noticed. Facebook and Twitter can also reap great rewards if harnessed correctly but do remember that those photos of you and your friends on a drunken night out might not go down too well with prospective employers. So if you are determined to succeed and you really what to transform your job prospects why not consider a career in the world of BI technologies – one of the fastest growing and dynamic industries to be involved in. BI and QlikView visualization technologies are exploding across all kinds of sectors and industries, delivering a profound effect on improving business value and helping global organisations respond and adapt to changing circumstances and make ever quicker strategic decisions using data. It could be said that data is the new oil and with it the rise of a new breed of professionals who are filling important roles such as business analysts, project managers and technical architects. Those who decide to pursue a BI career path must possess a blend of business knowledge, people skills and technical expertise but will benefit from a career that offers advancement, high salaries, the ability to play many roles, huge amount of activities and tremendous learning potential.

It is a career ideal for those who not only like variety and change as each project is different but can also interact with stakeholders and senior business managers - BI and data is visual and the importance of being able to translate jargon to non technical colleagues or external clients can be essential. BI software professionals working as consultants generally command the highest salaries, particularly in vertical markets with the highest growth such as pharmaceuticals and software but there’s also a wealth of growing opportunities in financial services, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, communications and education for roles ranging from software developers through lead android and developers to data scientists commanding six figure salaries. SearchBI specialises in niche IT recruitment, supplying professionals such as developers, consultants, project managers, business analysts and sales and account management executives, to specialist markets throughout the UK. This includes recruiting for professionals skilled in QlikView data visualisation technologies as well as those experienced in advanced BI systems.

More at www.searchbi.co.uk or contact 0191 481 3888.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Flexible serviced and managed accommodation provides the space for growth in 2016 says The Office Company

Enterprising office space in 2016 The New Year maybe timely for aspiring entrepreneurs to see resolutions of going it alone become a reality but starting a business is tough. Rebekah Milne, sales and marketing director of The Office Co. offers advice to get ahead in 2016 in the workspace world.

Aside from locking in finance, building a team, finding your way in a competitive market and securing new clients, there are so many other things that go into the balancing act of ensuring your start-up gets off to winning ways. And that includes finding the right workspace. After all, securing the right office can be an intricate dance, a fine balance between give-andtake. So don’t become discouraged during your search. Persevere, think outside the box, and your persistence will pay off. Initial thoughts? Where is the right location? Think about where you would like to be in 2016 and beyond - do you want to be close to home, handy for your clients or near to a pool of skilled labour. How much space will you need, and consider the advantages of serviced space where you only need to take accommodation big enough for your current workforce. Some flexible landlords however will allow an additional desk to be added to an office for no or little extra cost.

Don’t compromise on location

Don’t accommodate dead space

If you can secure the location you want, your employees and clients will thank you. Renting office space in a better location will ultimately be more cost effective in the long run as you’ll keep your employees around while simultaneously being more accessible to clients. Losing key employees because they don’t like the location or because it’s a logistical nightmare to reach can devastate your business, which ultimately isn’t worth it.

You might have heard advice from well meaning associates and colleagues: opt for more space than you need, so that when your business grows you don’t have to move immediately. This isn’t necessarily a wise move for a start-up or entrepreneur, as the costs won’t warrant the empty space. Simply put, avoid opting for more space than you need. While it is difficult to anticipate and forecast how your business will expand and grow, it is necessary to limit spend where possible.

Share your space It could be said that there’s been something of a revolution among start-ups and small businesses in recent times. More and more companies are finding spaces that they can share with other entrepreneurs and businesses to cut the costs and collaborate together while helping each other to grow. Costs for lights, rent, IT networks and WiFi services, and utilities are shared as well as communal areas such as boardrooms, conference rooms, breakout areas and restrooms. And if you are shortlisting, ask to speak to the existing tenants – one way to get some objective advice.

Trendy isn’t always cool Finally, you maybe tempted to opt for cool, trendy and expensive. Modern looking, chic offices are great, but your final choice doesn’t have to be in an expensive area, which usual equals somewhere with a city centre postcode or a well established business district. Many start-ups are unable to afford the price tag of these places when starting out, and that’s fine. There are many great spaces in superb locations that will far exceed your requirements and leave you with a much-needed chunk of change in your budget.

The Office Co. offers a range of serviced and managed offices, virtual offices and meeting rooms for a wide range of businesses. Clients include Checkatrade, First Contact, Utilita and Toma Fund. Contact Rebekah Milne, sales and marketing director at rebekah@theofficeco.co.uk Website: www.theofficeco.co.uk

BUSINESS INSIGHT Lee Durham

In 2016 make Sales Win - Win Sales success is far more than having a good product or service and selling it at the right price says Lee Durham, managing partner at Newcastle-based sales performance company durhamlane. It starts with some thoughtful prospecting before tough negotiations for win-win success. Some people simply believe that having a good product or service is enough to win them sales. Maybe so, but for real long-term success, the whole sales process starts by thinking hard about the type of customers you want to work with and developing prospecting techniques that will deliver a rapid impact on your business development activity. While the pursuit for new sales – and customers – is something that should always be front of mind, the best leads, and business, will more than likely come from your existing customers. Never waste an opportunity to ask your current customers who else might benefit from your products or services. A simple, perhaps even obvious thing to do, but it’s the smart, topperforming salespeople who will be doing this. After the customer has provided a name, ask them if they will make an introduction for you: referral selling. Look for, and strike up a meaningful dialogue with those companies that are currently doing business with your closest competitors – they’ll already be in the market for what you are selling and receptive to your help when their existing supplier fails to deliver.However, bear in mind

that if you’re doing it to your competitors then if they’re smart, they’ll be doing it to you – so make sure you’re taking care of business by looking after your existing customers. Network with your current customers to make sure as many people as possible within the company know who you are and importantly, what you for them. Prospects can also come via industry trade associations – people who serve on industry boards or are visible in their industry and are open to new ideas – or the editors of trade magazines who are often asked to recommend a good supplier. These people can all create potential prospects for you so don’t pass up the opportunity to develop beneficial relationships with them. Once that important sales lead has been secured, it’s vital to continue the hard work as you look to convert it into a tangible and profitable piece of business. Here, you will need to understand that effective sales negotiation is an on-going activity that starts with you thinking win-win right from the very first meeting. If you approach every prospect or client interaction from this perspective you are more likely to create solutions that solve real problems and add real value while also creating a smoother ride for all concerned in terms of constructing the deal and sign-off because you and your customer will be on the same wave length. Think; then think differently. The more preparation and planning that goes into how a deal is constructed the more chance you have of creating value and win-win success – the net effect

of this is a customer who is purchasing something they believe in and they will be less attuned to ‘bartering’. Think outside the box in terms of what else can form part of the deal and build lists of items that can be traded or mixed into the solution to differentiate yourself from your competition. What can you give away that’s high value to your customer and vice-versa? And finally, a couple of things to bear in mind as you look to close the deal: it is stated that 80 percent of concessions are made in the last 20 percent of the time spent negotiating so make sure you plan ahead, keep thinking win-win and remember to breathe! Procurement teams tend to get trained more than sales teams. Be different, invest in your sales team so that your business can be the best it can be. durhamlane is a sales performance specialist, which helps companies become more commercial by improving the performance of their people and by managing outsourced sales campaigns on their behalf – creating new business opportunities. It delivers a measurable difference through consultancy, sales recruitment, high impact training of both sales and non-sales people and embedding best practices through technology, delivering outsourced sales and business development solutions that increase the footprint and success of clients. It’s proven ‘Selling at a Higher Level’ methodology sits at the heart of everything. Our service is to improve performance regardless of where a client is in their business life cycle.

For more information on durhamlane’s sales performance solutions visit www.durhamlane.co.uk or call for a free consultation on 0191 481 3800. You can also follow durhamlane on LinkedIn and on twitter @durhamlane.

BUSINESS INSIGHT Mark Wilson director of Elamb and Vanessa Wood centre manager of Business Central.

Nostalgia in the air for new tenant at Business Central An online training and assessment company is poised for further expansion after taking office space at Business Central Darlington and has nostalgic reasons for moving to Central Park. Elamb, founded by Mark Wilson in 2007, creates and delivers eLearning and online assessments and his recent move to Business Central had his father digging out the family’s photo albums.

The company’s Head Office was built on the land Business Central now occupies and 3 generations later, ED Walker & Wilson was sold to John Menzies in 1985. Mark has chosen to return to the site with his own business, explaining the journey back to his “roots”: “At university I did a dissertation on the Hair & Beauty industry, and after five years in financial sales in London, I wanted to start my own business. “Salon Owners who helped me with my dissertation started calling me up to ask for my advice on business matters so in a way I fell into becoming a business mentor to the industry. After a couple of years I couldn’t grow my business any further as I had no more of my time

with the site. Business Central is more than just a building now it has become its very own business community and I look forward to seeing Elamb prosper from here.”

Focusing mainly on the Hair & Beauty and Hospitality sectors we took on clients such as InterContinental Hotel Group, Q Hotels, TONI&GUY and L’Oreal.

Business Central is located in the Central Park Enterprise Zone, Darlington. The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) is working with Darlington Borough Council and the £6.6 million project has been supported with funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Homes and Communities Agency. Intimation was selected to brand the building and bring it to life.

“I started signing 5 year deals with customers which gave me the confidence and necessity to expand. “I needed to attract high quality people to join me and I found that Darlington was the right place, as proved when taking on a sales director, Mark Ackers who lives in Newcastle but catches the train to work.” “When I first visited Business Central I had to wear a hard hat and once the build was complete I kept reading about others moving in, and to be honest I was envious and felt a strange pull to the site.” “There are many benefits to being at Business Central, for me it is the proximity of the train station making it easier to attract high quality team members. We have customers in Doncaster and Hull so instead of driving I now jump on the train as it’s so much easier. Some days I even bike in as the Centre has bike storage and shower facilities, which is great. Not to mention I can walk into the town centre.” Vanessa Wood, centre manager added: “It was fantastic to welcome Mark to our centre and also fascinating to learn about his family’s history

For more information on the space available please call the team on 01325 526 006

Robert Wilson, 1856 -1928

Mark comes from a family of entrepreneurs and in the 1800’s his great great grandfather Robert Wilson, who was Mayor of Darlington, along with ED Walker, a chief clerk at Darlington train station had the foresight to set up stalls on the platform of North Road station selling newspapers and books to the passengers.

to give…although I was earning less than I was in London, so I started delivering my support via e-learning, and from there my business just took off.

Northern Insight Christmas Drinks The inaugural Friends of Northern Insight Christmas drinks reception was recently held at the new Crowne Plaza Hotel in Newcastle. Here guests enjoyed canapĂŠs and an array of liquid refreshments with entertainment supplied by the singer Gareth Beddard.

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We’re a very different law firm...

COVER STORY

Collingwood Legal – Breaking the Mould Over the last 20 years, UK employment law has become increasingly complex and difficult to administer. For business owners, the application of these legal requirements can be a frustrating, time consuming and delicate process.

In 2010, employment lawyer Paul McGowan set up Collingwood Legal. His aim: to provide a bespoke service dealing with the unpleasant aspects of disciplinary procedure, while offering comprehensive advice on all aspects of the employment law process. He launched his own practice after 15 years with a major legal practice in Newcastle – and in a crowded market the decision was not for the faint-hearted. “Many have said that setting up a new law firm was a big step to take,” Paul admits. “But I didn’t see it that way. “Having spent many years being involved with larger commercial law firms, I had seen that the delivery of legal services in larger firms was becoming increasingly ‘corporate’ and less focused on serving the needs of clients.

“We’re a very different law firm with a different business model to older firms,” he explains. “We started five years ago with a blank sheet of paper but with a very clear idea about how best to serve the needs of clients not only now but in the future. “Fundamentally the work we do is about people and relationships, and being passionately committed to get the best for the clients we represent.” An industry-recognised expert in dealing with large scale business restructures, Paul remains hugely proud of the part he played in securing compensation for redundant miners following the closure of Ellington Colliery, the last deep mine in the region. “You get a particular satisfaction when all the hard legal work results in something tangible for people who would not otherwise have a voice.”

“I’d always felt confident that there were better ways to offer employment law support to businesses of all sizes.”

Paul is well aware, however, that in order to keep ahead of a constantly evolving legal market he and his team must be able to adapt.

Within a month of setting out on his own Paul had recruited associate solicitor Jane Sinnamon – who was so enthusiastic about the Collingwood Legal vision she turned down job offers from three established law firms to join the fledgling practice.

“Many business sectors are going through transformational change,” he says. “Our job is to ensure we’re ready to respond to the demands of the moment, while always being aware that further change will come too.

Jane is now part of a seven-strong legal team based at the firm’s headquarters at Newcastle Business Park, which includes senior associate solicitor Sarah Fitzpatrick, associate solicitors Joanne Applegarth, and solicitors Alexandra Besnard and Charlotte Hornsey.

“But I’m confident that the strength and attributes in our team, coupled with our nimble business model, means we’ll continue to grow and expand the practice in response to that change.”

Meanwhile Paul Johnstone, an established and recognised expert in the field of employment and discrimination law in the region for more than 20 years, joined the firm a partner in Spring 2015 further strengthening the firms’ reputation. One measure of Collingwood Legal’s success is the fact that after just five years the firm has been recognised externally and was recently nominated for the award of Regional Employment Law Firm of the Year by the industry bible, The Legal 500.

After five successful years Paul remains modest about Collingwood Legal’s achievements, preferring instead to concentrate on its core service of employment law while looking to cultivate a wider range of clients both locally and nationally. “Obviously I’m delighted with our development so far, and I’m very much looking forward to the challenges to come,” he says. “But what makes me most proud is the fact that the values and ethos of Collingwood Legal are the same today as they were on Day One.”

More importantly, perhaps, Paul McGowan and his team are earning a reputation among clients as the go-to law firm in their particular field.

www.collingwoodlegal.com

BUSINESS INSIGHT Andrew Little

What have been the highlights for Rowlands during 2015? It’s been a busy year for Rowlands, the North East’s largest independent firm of accountants. Andrew Little, Head of Rowlands’ insolvency team, reflects on the last 12 months and looks ahead to 2016.

The past twelve months have been great for us. During this time we have continued to grow and maintain our position as one of the major independent accountancy practices in the North East. At the start of the year, we acquired Alnwick Accountants. On a personal level, this gave me an opportunity to return to Alnwick and to general accountancy practice after specialising in insolvency for the past 10 years. I am pleased to say the practice has grown under the watchful leadership of Dawn Walton as part of the Rowlands family whilst very much retaining its own identity. As well as adding an office, a number of new senior staff joined Rowlands during 2015 to increase the expertise we can offer. Sadly this year we lost Harvey Madden, our senior insolvency partner who passed away after battling cancer. He really was the father of the insolvency team and is very much missed. The firm’s insolvency business has expanded during the past 12 months. What’s been behind this growth? We have increased our share of a very difficult market by continuing to work closely with our professional introducers, putting additional focus on solvent liquidations and business restructuring. This is one of the areas we will continue to expand and as part of that, solvent liquidations and restructuring specialist Kerry Pearson has

recently joined us. This additional expertise is now paying dividends for both our clients and those of our introducers as we have added high level capability to provide creative solutions whether their firm is struggling or they are seeking to exit the business for other reasons. Rowlands have expanded into some key new areas this year. Tell us more. We have worked to further establish our presence in Sunderland. It’s a practice that has been running for many years and Brian Logan, who is the main client contact, is well known in the area. People in Sunderland like to work with Sunderland businesses and professionals. Recognising this, we set the ball rolling on the city’s new professional network, which held its inaugural event in November with around 60 people attending. We will be holding quarterly events for professionals in the area from now on. The establishment of the network has been driven by Rowlands and we are now planning the next meeting in February for anyone who would like to come along. Watch this space for further growth in the New Year. We’ll not be standing still! You’ve made a few skilled hires; tell us what the plan is? We’ve picked up a number of new people at senior level on the basis that Rowlands is looking for further expansion and growth.

Welcome additions include Kerry Pearson to the insolvency team, Tax Specialist Katie Buckley, and David McFarlane who was recruited as an expert in organisational finance and performance. Our new team members are working across the region wherever they are needed, and have added to the skill-set that we already boast at Rowlands. Looking forward to 2016, what are Rowlands’ plans and what are likely to be the big trends for the year? Technology will play an ever-increasing role in 2016. The pace of change will accelerate, as will clients’ expectations. They no longer expect just a set of year-end accounts and as advisors, we need to work alongside them. I believe we will continue to see the onward march of cloud accounting. We’re working to provide information on a ‘now’ basis, so real-time financial data is available that will allow us to give proactive advice, strengthening our relationships with clients so they can get better information, faster. With our team of experts we will be helping clients whether they require a formal insolvency process or informal restructuring or refinancing advice. These are areas where we will be supporting clients; it’s Rowlands expertise by your side, across the region from the Tweed right down to the Tees. No matter how we look at it, 2016 will be a busy year!

For more information please contact Andrew Little on 07725 640899 or at andrew.little@rowlandsaccountants.co.uk. www.rowlandsaccountants.co.uk

Over 100 years of accounting experience at your side. At Rowlands, our years of experience mean we’re committed to accounting excellence. But our expertise doesn’t stop there. We’re also big on personal service, that’s why you can count on us to be at your side. With six offices in our region, you can rely on us to provide up-to-the-minute knowledge and advice. So if you’d like to see what we can do for your business, get in touch. Hexham 01434 602 230 | Ponteland 01661 871 919 Sunderland 0191 565 1870 | Yarm 01642 790 790 rowlandsaccountants.co.uk

Crook 01388 762 478 | Portobello 0191 411 2468

Audit & Accountancy

Taxation & Planning

Restructuring & Insolvency

Development & Consultancy

BUSINESS INSIGHT

UNW urges SMEs not to get left behind in auto enrolment race Small businesses in the North-East must start auto enrolling staff into workplace pension schemes in order to avoid tough penalties, experts at business advisers UNW have warned. The Newcastle firm of Chartered Accountants, which recently celebrated auto enrolling its 1,000th worker on behalf of employers, say it is imperative that SMEs in the region find out the exact date they are legally required to have enrolled their staff by - known as their 'staging' date. This could be as soon as January or February and varies depending on employee numbers. The warning comes after recent Pension Regulator research showed that almost two thirds of small and micro employers still do not know the exact date they need to start complying with automatic enrolment law. As of next year, up to 1.8 million small and micro employers in the UK will begin approaching the date when their workplace pension duties come into effect. UNW Employment Tax and Payroll partner Lee Muter said: “Most larger companies have already enrolled their staff into schemes but the deadlines for smaller businesses to comply are now upon us and it is crucial that every business knows its own deadline for putting qualifying employees into a pension scheme. “Implementation and administration may be considered burdensome and complex for many businesses of this size and UNW can help source the pension schemes and consider their

The race to enrol: The Great Run Company who employ the 1,000th member of staff UNW has helped enrol into a pension scheme. Photo credit: Great Run/Scott Heppell.

requirements at the outset. We can also help administer the schemes and help ensure there are no penalties, which can be pretty significant.” The Great Run Company, formerly known as Nova International, has been assisted by UNW to enrol its staff into a pension scheme and is urging other North-East companies not to get left behind in the race for enrolment. The Great Run Company Finance Director

Mark Rutherford said: “We have been working with UNW’s payroll team for more than five years and their proactive service has been invaluable in helping us to understand the requirements of auto enrolment.” Businesses can check their precise staging dates at:www.autoenrolment.co.uk/stagingdates or contact the UNW payroll team on leemuter@unw.co.uk for advice.

“...and the award for the best awards night...” Vinay Bedi

As the stomach heaves a welcome sigh of relief and the DJ finally gets a much needed trip to the dry cleaners, I am delighted to announce, with no small hint of gratitude, that the 2015 Awards season can now, finally, be consigned to history. I don’t know who invented the concept but I bet that they wish that they had patented it. Hire a venue, buy a job lot of funny shaped trophies, insist on black tie and convince the great and the good that this is a “must attend” networking event. Charge the hosts an obscene amount of money to invite a group of bemused guests and then watch the inevitable unfold on the night - there are too many awards, the proceedings overrun, the food is bland, dry and overpriced, the wine likewise (delete the word dry) and ensure everyone leaves well after their normal bed times, oblivious to the purpose of their evening. Okay call me a cynic. Most do. But, let’s face it, we do not need all of these events - black tie dinners that nobody really wants to go to, other than the fact that they are frightened not to. Be bold, if a competitor can gain any significant edge simply by dressing up as a cardboard cut-out and

putting themselves through purgatory for six or seven hours then good luck to them. Now for the contradictory bit. You had probably guessed that there was going to be one. But, please forgive me if I make mention of one dinner that I do attend and, whilst at it, I will also confess to being biased…for I was actually a judge at this awards dinner for 10 years and loved every minute of it. The event that I am referring to is the North East Business Executive of the Year. Why do I like it? Because it recognises and acknowledges

people who make a real contribution and seriously add value, the sort of people that our economy, indeed our society, cannot actually cope without. It is a dinner with a purpose. Being a judge is great fun, but, sadly, not risk free. You do get some choices “wrong”, you do get plenty of “advice” from your fellow diners (often backed up by the benefits the evening’s “consumption” - we actually dared produce a shortlist bereft of any representation from the manufacturing sector one year, wouldn’t suggest doing that again!). But, I often felt that my one failing had been my inability to convince my fellow judges that Sir John Hall was worthy of a Life Time Achievement award. Love him or loathe him, he has achieved, he has generated wealth and he has significantly enhanced the profile of the region. Not many have done more and it was with some relief that I was able to congratulate Sir John on finally achieving such a notable award some weeks ago. Well done Sir John, well done the North East Business Executive of the Year dinner and well done anyone who decides to make a stand next year against the mass proliferation of black tie award nights!

Vinay Bedi, Executive Director, UBS Wealth Management. Tel: 0191-211-1015. Email: vinay.bedi@ubs.com www.ubs.com/northeast-uk The views expressed in this article are the personal views of Vinay Bedi and not the views or opinions of UBS AG.

BUSINESS INSIGHT Stuart McKinnon

Yes, my name is... If you can sing the next line then clearly you have children of a certain age. I have come across the phenomenon that is ‘In the Night Garden’ not through my own children (they were the Rainbow generation) but through my grandchildren. I have a house full of Upsy Daisys, Makka Pakkas and the dreaded Pontipines which can be very painful if trodden on with bare feet I can tell you. Think Lego if you are my age and you will know what I mean.

But it is the star of the show, Iggle Piggle, who has been causing a stir in the tax world recently. Imagine the scene. The tax tribunal is convened at a public hearing. Two judges are to hear the case, the parties are represented – one by counsel. The court room table is heavy with copies of complex EU directives and precedent tax cases – some in German. Then the lights go down and they watch a video: an advert for Iggle Piggle. The lights go up again, the judges proceed to take the toy apart and find that it collapses in a heap when all of the filling material is removed.

a serious point to all of this. For reasons I can’t begin to fathom, stuffed toys attract a higher rate of import duty than non-stuffed toys and the tribunal had to determine whether or not Iggle Piggle was a stuffed toy. Clearly it had some stuffing - the question was whether it had enough to attract the higher rate of duty. Things then got highly technical and at one point wandered off into a philosophical discussion about whether there was a difference between a ‘cuddly toy’ and a ‘stuffed toy’ (I really am not making this up I assure you).

They then play with ‘Sleepy Sheep’ and ‘Gentle Giraffe’, pausing to listen to the sound effects contained within them. Not content with this, they then turn their attention to a ‘bouncing Tigger’. They even play with it on the judicial bench and find that it does indeed bounce. But then tragedy strikes – they can’t pull Tigger to bits. Or, as the formal language of the decision has it in what must surely be the tax quote of the year, ‘The Tribunal were unable to deconstruct Tigger’ (I am not making this up you know!).

In the end the Tribunal sided with HMRC, who were arguing for the higher rate of duty. Iggle Piggle was not, you may be pleased to know, a cuddly toy, but it was nonetheless a stuffed toy and therefore attracted the higher rate of duty. So there you have it. HMRC triumph once again, keeping over those individuals who tried to avoid tax by arguing that Iggle Piggle wasn’t stuffed just cuddly. Taxpayers’ money well spent I say! So when you next buy an Upsy Daisy or a Makka Pakka and you wonder why it is so expensive just remember it’s because it’s stuffed. Simple as that. Now where did I leave my Zippy…

So why have such learned gentleman taken to playing with and then destroying children’s toys? Well there was

For more information on import duty or other taxation issues, please contact Stuart McKinnon on 0191 255 7000 or email stuart.mckinnon@rsmuk.com or your usual RSM contact.

RMT Festive Drinks The wet and wild winter weather wasn't enough to stop more than 200 members of the North East business community joining the team at RMT Accountants & Business Advisors for their Christmas celebrations. The festive event, which was held at The City Tavern in Newcastle, not only marked the end of another successful year for the Gosforth-based practice, but also gave guests the chance to say farewell to long-serving RMT director Anthony Josephs, who is retiring after 38 years with the firm. Mike Pott, managing director at RMT Accountants & Business Advisors, says: "Getting together with so many clients, contacts and friends of the firm is a great way to round off the year, and despite the best efforts of the weather, we had a terrific turnout for what was a really enjoyable evening. "Anthony has made a unique contribution to RMT's development over almost four decades, and so many members of our team have benefited from his knowledge, guidance and expertise over the years. It was very fitting that so many people came along to say farewell in person, and the whole RMT team would like to wish him a long and very happy retirement."

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Higher Tax for Owner Managed Companies Writes David Hodgson, Read Milburn & Co – “The Coastal Accountants” any excess over this figure will be taxed at one of three rates depending on income levels:F or lower rate taxpayers, the rate will be 7.5%

A further tax blow to the one-man companies from 5th April 2016 is that they will no longer be eligible for the Employment Allowance which gives an annual business relief of up to £3,000, (£2,000 in the current year), to be set against any employer National Insurance due.

F or higher rate taxpayers, the rate will be 32.5% F or additional rate taxpayers, the rate will be 38.1%

Chancellor Osbourne’s recent changes could mean there will be large increases in the tax payable by owner-managed companies from April 2016. The benefit of the director-owner taking dividend instead of salary will be significantly reduced and some new thinking will be needed to the way in which income is extracted from their company. From 6th April 2016 there will be a new £5,000 tax free allowance for dividends but then

importantly avoids the further 13.8% which the Company has to pay as an employer.

Dividends received within the £5,000 allowance will still count towards the basic or higher rate bands, and may therefore affect the rate of tax paid on dividends received in excess of the £5,000 allowance. For a number of years, owners of companies have been able to structure the way in which they have withdrawn income from their companies by splitting monies between a small salary and then a larger dividend. Generally, salary is pitched at a level whereby they pay only sufficient National Insurance to protect their State Benefits and then draw the remainder of their income by way of dividend. This has the benefit of minimising employee National Insurance, but more

The new changes are intended to discourage individuals from incorporating purely to obtain a tax advantage as the tipping point at which incorporation starts to deliver significant tax savings has clearly gone up. Some individuals, currently operating through a limited company may even start to wonder whether it is time to dis-incorporate. Clearly, owners of companies will need to take advice on how and when to extract monies from their companies, including perhaps the way in which shares are held, as there may be opportunities to reduce tax prior to the new rules coming into operation which may be lost after April.

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Good things return to those who wait Three Counties Team

Firstly, I would like to wish all readers a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Further, let us also hope that our local sports teams (football and rugby) perform better and avoid relegation and that “The Boro” make it to the Premiership.

In an effort to make financial issues a little more entertaining, I will now encourage you to drift off into a fantasy world from a long time ago in a galaxy far far away. “Luke Skywalker, C-P3O and R2-D2 are taking a break from filming the next Star Wars film which has the working title “Gordon Brown stole my trusts.” Luke chirps up “It is a real shame that Gordon Brown made Discretionary Trusts and Accumulation and Maintenance trusts almost redundant back in 2006.” “I agree.” C-P3O becomes quite animated. “The ability to make a gift and have it fall out of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes, whilst maintaining some control, was most useful. There is nothing quite like them available anymore.” R2-D2 whistles. The other two look at him askance. C-P3O pipes up “You are a silly little droid. I think your circuits must have fused. How can you still get the same benefits even now?” There is a lot more whistling and some spinning. C-P3O strikes a number of poses. Luke Skywalker’s jaw slowly drops.

Luke asks, “So what you are saying is that an individual can place a sizeable sum into an investment and even if that is over the Nil Rate Band, it will fall out of that person’s estate after seven years? And yet they can still control who gets what and when just like the old trusts?” A whistled “Yes” follows. “Tell me more as my dad, Darth Vader, wanted to leave me a couple of planets but reckoned that they were too valuable and he didn’t fancy the tax at the lifetime IHT rate. He also thinks I am a bit immature to own them outright.” R2-D2 whistles and spins for a good five minutes as he explains it is possible to gift money and to control access by using a life insurance investment bond. In basic terms it is a contract between two parties and as such can alter and amend its terms and conditions. The little droid continued to explain that the contract based solution had the advantage of being recognised in other jurisdictions, such as France and Spain, which do not recognise trusts. Luke and C-P3O were impressed and the robot patted the droid on the head saying, “I do

apologise if I was a little rude earlier. You have surprised me and Master Luke. I think his father would like to discuss this with you.” At this point there was a wheezing sound. The droid shivered and started spinning, looking for an exit. Fortunately it turned out to be a broken winded Wookie wandering off set and lighting a cigarette. “ I apologise to both Star War fans and non-Star War fans for this parody. However I hope that the message has come across. It is perfectly feasible to replicate the advantages of both Discretionary Trusts and Accumulation and Maintenance Trusts without creating a charge to Lifetime Gift IHT, regardless of the size of gift. Here at Three Counties we are fortunate to be one of a select group of Independent Financial Advisers with access to this solution. There is a longer, more technical, review available in the June 2015 STEP Journal for those who are members. We would be happy to provide more detail upon request of course.

May the Force be with you.

Peter Rutherford is Commercial Director at Three Counties Group. Telephone 0191 371 1338. Email peter.rutherford@threecountiesgroup.co.uk Three Counties Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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An entrepreneur interview with:

Karen Weir Weir Insurance.

Karen Weir is Managing Director of Weir Insurance Brokers, a second generation family business. Having started out in general insurance at Aviva, Karen worked there for ten years, around the UK, before joining her husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family business in 1998.

INTERVIEW

Can you tell me a little about the history of the company?

that’s a disaster waiting to happen when you’re giving serious advice on insurance and risk.

Weir Insurance Brokers Ltd was founded in 2003, although my in-laws started the business as a partnership in 1972, selling car and home insurance. 80% of our work is now business to business, we still sell car and home insurance although, it’s only a small part of what we do. A big change for the company came in 2004, we bought a smaller insurance firm in Bedlington. At that time a lot of smaller firms were selling up, as the Financial Services Authority was due to start regulating the sale of general insurance products in 2005 and the cost of complying with new regulations wasn’t always worth it for them, this was a major period of consolidation in the industry. In 2006 we acquired another small firm, based in Monkseaton, and by 2008 we’d absorbed the two smaller firms into Weir Insurance, and all staff and moved to the Weir office in Blyth. At this stage we were growing between five to fifteen percent a year.

What are your unique selling points? We now specialise in commercial insurance, we’re B2B, but we do provide home insurance to the clients we have. This isn’t as profitable as commercial insurance, but it lets us wrap our arms around our customers, it shows were care about them and not just their money. We also offer specialist insurance for the beauty industry, which many firms don’t bother with. Beauty is a Cinderella Industry, when times are good people have money to spend on looking good and when things aren’t so go they cheer themselves up by spending it anyway. We offer liability insurance for almost any beauty treatment you can imagine, and we do this nationally. We even have a client that does fat freezing, cryolipolysis if you want to give it its technical name.

team members would teach them how to get the most out of modern technology. A secondary benefit from this is new starters feeling they add value to the company straight away. All of our staff have passed their technical exams, which are non-compulsory in the insurance industry, so this helps us stand out from the crowd. We now employ 11 people, fewer than we have done in the past, but with no loss of productivity. Automation means we’re able to do more with fewer people, though we will be looking to recruit more in 2016.

Do you find the right people in your local area or do you have to recruit further afield? The vast majority of our people are local. We’ve had six apprentices over the years, two of them are still with us, and all of them have gone on to bigger achievements like university. By bringing on our home grown people we’re turned around the demographic of the company, and we’ve done it properly.

Did the recession change your business approach?

What is your secret for keeping your team motivated?

Yes, we decided to do the opposite to what most people were doing. At this time companies were tightening their belts, and one of the first things to go was the marketing budget. We didn’t have to spend a lot more, we found that we got more for our money. Adverts cost less and we got lots of column inches from our investment in PR, we also commissioned a new website. We also took the opportunity to re-hire a member of staff who’d moved to Tesco Financial Services. She moved to Tesco to move into more of a leadership role, but moved back to us, preferring our family business environment and she missed her clients.

It’s all about a work-life blend. Not balance, blend. If our staff want to work flexibly, that’s fine as long as the work gets done. This is very much results driven, and we find that flexibility is better motivator than remuneration. We have a low staff turnover, I think this is because we’re willing to support our staff through challenging times in their family lives. We’re very proud to say no member of staff has missed a school play or sports day yet.

How do you get the most from your team?

How does your motivation now compare to when you first started at the firm?

We’re going to expand our range of products, so we’re busy looking at the best performing health insurance products at the moment. We’re also expanding our risk management services as we’ve been doing this for some of our existing clients for some time, so it’s time we brought it to the wider market. This is very much a case of our clients themselves tell us what they want us to do more of! We’re looking to recruit some advocates, customers who are willing to speak up about the service they’ve received from us. We’re also looking at how we can add value to our clients and help them grow their businesses, by utilising our own insured tradesmen for insurance claims. This kind of innovation comes from client feedback, which we take very seriously. We also use feedback when deciding which suppliers to deal with, there is no benefit for us or our clients in selling them a product from a supplier that doesn’t pay out when they’re supposed to. As I mentioned earlier, we’re looking to take on more staff. Everything is in place now, we’re a welloiled machine, so the time is right to scale up.

How has the business adapted to changing markets over the years? The world is a lot more litigious now and insurance is certainly no exception. We have always been very careful and thorough about the recommendations we make, and the advice we give to our clients, and this is more important now than it’s ever been. We are very clear to point out to clients what they aren’t covered for, not just what is covered. No-one likes nasty surprises. This means we have to interview clients thoroughly to understand how to advise them. We’ve always done this, but the rest of the industry is has seen how important this is and are catching up. People like to do business with people they like, but spending 50 minutes in a client meeting discussing football, and only 10 minutes on business doesn’t work for us, it’s the other way round. We never ever do business on a golf course,

I am more motivated now than when I started out, but it’s a different kind of motivation. When I started it was very exciting to be running a business, it was something new. Now I’m motivated by being part of something bigger than myself, our company is bigger than our list of clients, bigger than our team, bigger than our products. It’s very much the case that the whole is more than the sum of its parts, and this is inspiring.

Tell me a bit more about the structure of your business, how did the current structure come about. When we amalgamated the two smaller firms into Weir Insurance in 2008 we had 19 staff, seven of them were over 65. This was the point we decided that we had to start a knowledge transfer scheme. This was very successful, and it was a twoway street, more experienced members of the team would teach newer members about the technical side of the insurance industry, in return younger

We’ve had everyone do a Myers Briggs personality test, so we know how to motivate people best and how they fit in to the company. When you understand what motivates people, and what has the opposite effect, you’ll see fewer people getting wound up in the work place.

So, what does 2016 have in store for you?

Karen Weir is a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, a unique group of like-minded people who come together through peer-to-peer mentoring and a series of inspirational events to share best practice, create valuable connections and grow their business. For more information, visit www.entrepreneursforum.net

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Let’s make 2016 the year of scaling up!

There are many advantages for North East entrepreneurs to scale up their business, not only in terms of financial rewards and prestige, but also the wider good that it will do for our region’s economy. When any business grows, it presents an opportunity to provide more for its customers, not to mention creating additional jobs both in the organisation itself and up and down the supply chain. With strong economic growth and its ancillary benefits expected to continue throughout 2016, perhaps now is the time to scale your business up.

Plan for growth: When preparing for business growth, the first thing to consider is the market you are going to expand into. Ask yourself: ‘Is demand for what I’m selling already outstripping supply?’, ‘Can I add to my current offering to make the most of my current market?’, and ‘Should I take what I’m currently selling to new markets?’ When demand for any product or service is greater than current capacity, growth is comparatively simple, though certainly not without challenges. Adding to, or changing a company’s offering has the same challenges of scaling up to meet demand, plus the research, development and risk of bringing something new to the market. Moving into new markets with existing products or services does not have the same challenges in terms of R&D, but does have its own risks, on top

of the growing pains associated with scaling up an operation.

Get the correct infrastructure: After finding the correct strategy, then begins the actual scaling up, and the logistical difficulty very much depends on the kind of organisation you run. Scaling up a service based business may mean little more than renting a larger office, while a manufacturing business may need to source specialist premises. Moving into different markets will most likely mean new channels of distribution and perhaps even compliance with foreign regulations. In the North East, whatever a business does, it is essential to consider how the road network will affect your operations and whether a location’s broadband speeds meet your needs.

to a medium-sized enterprise, or even taking on a first employee, often requires a step change in how a business views itself. Strong leadership is vital to ensure employees in supervisory and management roles know how to get the best out of people with positivity, trust and encouragement.

Access the right combination of finance: Funding for growth can come from a number of sources; selling equity to one or more new investors, seeking a loan from a bank, or even crowd-funding. Each different source has its advantages and drawbacks and can be combined to find the right blend for your business.

Hire skilled people:

Selling equity doesn’t get a company into debt, but there can be unforeseen consequences when bringing in new stakeholders.

As any business scales, it will need to increase staff. The availability of the right people, especially highly skilled ones, is often the biggest barrier to growth, but the North East has some excellent universities and colleges, developing skilled and enterprising people.

Borrowing money from the bank is not risk free, but the process is simple. Crowd-funding, where investors split the risk of funding a business, is becoming increasingly popular but needs careful consideration and thought if you are to make it a success.

The responsibility to keep these in the North East however belongs as much to SMEs as it is does to larger firms. Taking on apprentices is another sensible and cost effective way of growing a base of skilled staff.

If 2016 is your scale up year, it’s essential to have a plan. As the old adage goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. Some independent advice, such as that available from peers through the Entrepreneurs’ Forum mentoring service can often offer a fresh perspective, helping to keep your plan on track and make sure you remain comfortable with the pace of change.

Develop strong leaders: Transitioning from a small, close-knit team

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum supports North East business owners, helping them to develop, create new opportunities and grow their business. For more information, call 0191 500 7780 or visit www.entrepreneursforum.net

Thinking about your business is a big part of ours. PUT OUR TAILORED INSIGHTS TO WORK FOR YOU To make confident decisions about the future, an entrepreneurial growing business needs a different kind of adviser. One who starts by understanding where you want to go and then brings the ideas and insights of an experienced team to help get you there.

rsmuk.com

The UK group of companies and LLPs trading as RSM is a member of the RSM network. RSM is the trading name used by the members of the RSM network. Each member of the RSM network is an independent accounting and consulting firm each of which practises in its own right. The RSM network is not itself a separate legal entity of any description in any jurisdiction. The RSM network is administered by RSM International Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 4040598) whose registered office is at 11 Old Jewry, London EC2R 8DU. The brand and trademark RSM and other intellectual property rights used by members of the network are owned by RSM International Association, an association governed by article 60 et seq of the Civil Code of Switzerland whose seat is in Zug.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Perception is everything (PIE) by Joanne Howe Take a moment to think about your staff and how they represent your company. Do they give the best possible customer service that they can? Do they go above and beyond to ensure your customers get what they need and most importantly, how is that perceived by Jo Public? Do they wear your company uniform outside of work? Are they aware that they are acting as a representative of your business whilst wearing your logo? more and more common as many employees don’t see the issue. Facebook and Twitter’s idea of “connecting the world” is an excellent concept for individuals and businesses, however once something has been released to the world it is easily seen by anybody. Many employees have been caught out by this when they’ve taken to the platform to talk badly of their colleagues and clients, sometimes leading to their dismissal from the company.

It could be getting to and from work, popping out on a lunch break or standing outside for a cigarette; if your employees are wearing your brand then you ought to ensure you have clarified the expected company behaviour outside of the office. Whether they wear a full uniform, logoed coat or even a staff pass with the company logo, the public and possibly potential customers can make a judgement of your business simply from the way your staff present themselves.

The topic of outside behaviour can be difficult to address as no employee wants to feel like they are being controlled from work when they are outside of the office, you need to make them aware that they are free to do what they want when they are not representing the company. Social media can be a bit harder to tackle as they want to be able to share their opinions freely online however if they have any association with the company, ie they state that they work for you, then you must ensure that they are not disrespecting themselves or the company in any way.

Think about the man who works in the corner shop and keeps his head down to meet his targets or the girl who turns up on time daily and provides excellent customer service, could they both be out behaving badly on their way home from work? Aside from their behaviour, the second thing the public will notice about them is your company logo printed on the back or front of their coat or the business name on their polo shirt, the effect this could have on your company could be detrimental. What about the smaller things? The things that might generally go unnoticed? Small mistakes such as bad language, dropping litter and parking in disabled bays are all things that might not be noticed by everybody, but they are still disrespectful actions that are picked up on, and if in the hands of someone who may want to cause damage to your company (say, a competitor) it can cause huge problems which you just don’t need. Disorderly behaviour whilst wearing your company logo can result in a bad perception of your company; if your staff don’t respect your business then how can you expect others to?

Do your staff have access to a company car? Dangerous driving is one of the main causes of road deaths in the UK and reckless driving whilst in a logoed vehicle can have negative effects on your company’s reputation. People have been known to take to social media with stories and dash cam videos of company vehicles over taking or speeding etc and this can gain thousands of shares, thus effecting your company negatively again. So maybe in that next staff meeting you have planned you need to mention PIE – Perception Is Everything. How they present themselves is also how they present the company, and how they present the company ultimately reflects on you.

Bad perception doesn’t limit itself to the walk home from work; social media related tribunals are becoming

Howe Consultancy in partnership with Darren Palmer, a local actor, have developed a number of bitesize employee workshops, driving home the message that Perception is Everything – PIE. Please get in touch if you would like to know more about their “bitesize PIE”. www.howeconsultancy.co.uk

BUSINESS INSIGHT Judith Doyle, principal and chief executive, Gateshead College

Apprenticeship levy: An opportunity for North East businesses Apprenticeships are once again a hot topic, with the Government announcing a new apprenticeship levy in support of achieving its ambitious pledge to increase the quality and quantity of apprenticeships in England, reaching 3 million starts in 2020.

From April 2017, businesses with a wage bill above £3m will be required to pay an apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of the company payroll. It is expected that £11.6bn will be raised over this Parliament to plough back into training apprentices. So what will this mean for North East businesses? Whichever way you look at it, the levy is essentially a new payroll tax which, in times of increasing business rates and the introduction of the living wage, will put extra pressure on our region’s employers. And while the allowance means that 98% of businesses are exempt, the remaining 2% employ nearly two thirds of the private sector UK workforce. That said, employers who embrace the levy can see it as an investment in their businesses. The levy will support all post-16 apprenticeships in England and will provide North East businesses with funding that each employer can use to meet their individual needs. All employers, regardless of whether they pay the levy or not, will be able to access government funding for apprenticeships – so it’s good news for micro and small business owners. Apprentices are a great way to grow your workforce and harness talent to ensure the future success of your organisation. It’s an opportunity to futureproof your business, to bring in up-to-

date skills, and to nurture and upskill new and existing employees to improve performance and productivity. At the end of the course, you should see that investment turned into a well-trained, committed employee. The funding will be controlled by employers through a digital apprenticeship voucher, and firms that are committed to training will get more back than they put in. This puts the employer firmly in control of the quality of apprenticeship provision and Gateshead College is committed to helping businesses get the most out what they invest. We work closely with businesses to understand what skills and knowledge their employees need to hit the ground running and then provide the training courses to match. We deliver more than 2000 apprenticeships each year to many employers across a wide range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing, construction, engineering, hospitality, logistics, automotive and hair and beauty – as well as new and emerging technologies. Figures which show how much businesses in the region value apprentices and that the training we are giving young people provides them with an employment edge and businesses with a competitive edge. We

have

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trailblazer apprenticeships, where groups of employers join forces with training providers to design new apprenticeship standards for jobs in their sector. We are at the forefront of smart metering trailblazers, working with employers across the energy sector and have played a key role in designing the automotive manufacturing sector’s maintenance technician apprenticeship. For both of these projects, we have been part of the employer design groups, advising on content from a training provider and skills perspective. I’m proud that our apprentices are consistently 10% above the national benchmark for their achievements on their programme and we are among the top providers in England for a third year in a row; this was recognised by Ofsted when they graded us as outstanding in our June inspection. Our support for businesses around apprenticeships is more far reaching than provision of training courses. There’s a lot of emphasis from central government on achieving the 3m target by 2020 and with that comes a myriad of policy updates and publications that employers need to get their heads around – a time consuming task for busy employers. Gateshead College will be running breakfast events to offer advice and guidance on the opportunities as well as the obligations that these policies will bring.

For more information speak to Gateshead College’s apprenticeship team on 0191 490 2258.

Gateshead College celebrates 60 years of supporting North East businesses Gateshead College was joined by its partners and the region’s business leaders for a celebration event to toast 60 years since HRH Prince Philip formally opened the college at its former Durham Road campus. Among the guests were one of the college’s first ever apprentices, George Loble, Mike Matthews, president of the North East Chamber of Commerce and managing director of Nifco UK Ltd, and Jane Robinson, chief executive at Gateshead Council. The very apt venue, Gateshead College Skills Academy for Construction, was filled with students in action from the IT, music, travel, business, sport and catering departments to mark the outstanding college’s 60 years of skills. Guests were invited to try out a new skill as part of the entertainment.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

The best person doesn’t always have the best CV Bryony Gibson

Bryony Gibson, Managing Director of Bryony Gibson Consulting, considers the different ways people identify talent and why it often pays to read between the lines in a CV.

Recent research into the ‘non-educational barriers to elite professions’ explored recruitment at many of the UK’s top law and accountancy firms. With a particular focus on London, the Government study concluded that our very best professional service companies continue to be heavily staffed by people from ‘more privileged backgrounds’. The report said gaining this type of employment is often worryingly skewed in favour of ‘higher-class people’, so much so, that many of their most senior executives would not be appointed today if they applied for a job. Issued only six months ago, this evaluation shows there remains a ‘glass ceiling’ for workingclass people in the UK, with job seekers believed to be discriminated against on the basis of the educational institutions they have attended, their accent, personal characteristics, style and mannerisms. Working directly with many of the North East’s major accountancy practices, I have to say that I don’t believe such inequality is as commonplace in our region, but it seems national evidence points toward recruiters with an abundance of choice selecting the safest options and interviewing those with CVs that include private schools, Russell Group universities and gap years spent travelling around the world.

In my experience, whilst academics and experience are crucial, its often attitude and cultural fit that are the decisive factors in finding truly successful long-term recruits; and these traits are hard to spot in a CV. Recruitment isn’t rocket science, far from it, but when I’m short-listing applicants for clients, the ability to carry out the technical aspects of a job should be a given. Once established, it becomes all about understanding someone’s personality to determine whether or not they will connect with and fit in to the business in question. My advice is to look carefully at each CV. For those at the start of their career, see if they have shown drive and determination by taking weekend jobs or completing Duke of Edinburgh programmes. Try not to jump to any conclusions. Examine their interests to see if there’s anything that stands out and shows you they have a little bit more about themselves and could be different. If two CVs have the same qualifications, it’s important to consider not only where the people are today, but how they got there. Were they born into success and supported along their journey, or have they had to fight to get to where they are, taking jobs out of necessity and studying whilst in full-time employment? Be prepared to be open-minded and think

Contact Bryony for help finding the right tax & accountancy role or recruits on (0191) 375 9983. Alternatively, visit www.bryonygibson.com, connect on LinkedIn or follow @bryonygibson.

carefully about the type of person you want to bring into your team. Don’t forget that around 35% of the world’s most highly successful entrepreneurs are said to have dyslexia; with many believing it is this, amongst other adversities in life, which has given them their resilience and determination to succeed. Passion and purpose are fundamental to being a great team player and offering someone who has not had people to count on the trust and respect they deserve may well be the best way to find engaged and positive employees that are keen to learn and grow in tandem with your business. If you’re working with a recruitment agency, listen to their advice and don’t be afraid to question their reasoning about who you ought to interview. They should have pre-screened each candidate, meeting and speaking to every one before short-listing them for you. In the end, the safest choices may well turn out to be the right ones, but sometimes it pays to take a risk and spend a little extra time meeting a ‘wildcard’ or two. After all, companies who are committed to diversity and inclusive practices tend to outperform their peers, and if you do give people a fair chance, every now and again you might just find that ‘diamond in the rough’; and there are certainly plenty of them about!

Next Generation Academy Graduate is pleased to announce their appointment to St. James’s Place Wealth Management D

an Smith has recently graduated from the St. James’s Place Wealth Management Academy to qualify as a Wealth Management Consultant for The Morpeth Practice. Dan firmly believes that joining St. James’s Place provides the opportunity to offer clients a holistic personal wealth management service. “Having the opportunity to spend the last year going through the academy of a FTSE 100 company was a superb way to achieve the necessary qualifications and develop the required skills to provide a great service to clients, covering everything from investments to pensions to Inheritance Tax Planning. Being able to call upon over 100 years of financial services experience within the office will be hugely beneficial in providing great advice for clients.” An investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise.You may get back less than the amount invested. For further information, or to request your complimentary guide to wealth management, contact:

DAN SMITH Wealth Management Consultant for The Morpeth Practice Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management

Tel: 01670 505333 Email: dan.smith@sjpp.co.uk Web: www.themorpethpractice.co.uk

Investment and Wealth Management Awards 2014

PARTNERS IN MANAGING YOUR WEALTH

The Partner Practice represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

BUSINESS INSIGHT Sarah Crilly

When is it “time up” for maintenance payments? A “meal ticket” for life or a time limited coupon? The complexities of determining spousal maintenance claims by the courts are explored by Ward Hadaway family law expert Sarah Crilly.

The recent trend of cases dealing with the issue of maintenance by one spouse of the other following divorce has seen a major u-turn. Ordinarily after long marriages, the party who was weaker in terms of income, employment chances and earning capacity could benefit from court orders which provided for them being maintained for the parties’ joint lives. Even after medium length marriages this could sometimes be the case, especially where there were young children. However, two Court of Appeal decisions have made it clear that maintenance should be terminated as soon as it is “just and reasonable to do so”. These two cases involved a husband banker and trainee pilates instructor and equine surgeon and housewife respectively. The banker earned approximately £170,000 net per year and the wife was expecting to earn £23,000 net. The wife sought £60,000 per year for 27 years. The Judge awarded £30,000 a year until 2025 when the wife would be 50. In the next case, the husband earned £150,000 a year whereas the wife had been a housewife. She received £33,200 a year for herself, which

was initially for joint lives but which was reduced on Appeal to six years, after which it would cease. A number of interesting points came out of both cases, not least the expectation that once children had reached a certain age, a mother would be expected to work and further that a working mother would be a good role model for the children, even saying: “vast numbers of women with children just get on with it”. In the second case, the Judge felt that the wife had made no effort to get a job without good reason and had been evasive about her efforts to find work. In every case the court must consider a termination of spousal maintenance. Although Parliament’s intention has always been that parties following divorce should be subject to a financial clean break wherever possible, that could not be the case after long marriages where one party had not worked and remained at home to care for the children. Most cases we see involve parties who are both working and have similar incomes but in the higher money cases, the disparity in incomes can be substantial. Now with changes in society and employment

law, spouses are expected to work no matter what their age and the family courts are now catching up with reform expected of the matrimonial legislation in the not too distant future. The Divorce (Financial Provision) Bill is due to go before the House of Commons and suggests that a term of periodical payments should not exceed five years unless serious financial hardship is likely. Millions of single parents hold down a job and raise their children. Latest statistics show that there are three million single parent families in the UK and over half of single parents (nearly 60%) are in work. Courts are now saying that once children are aged 7, mothers can begin work part-time and make a financial contribution. They are also saying that the amount of maintenance will be restricted to needs and standard of living will not be a deciding factor. Being dependant on your spouse is now quite an insecure position to be in. Even if you can demonstrate a degree of hardship in making the transition from maintenance to independent living, that will not be sufficient to make a case for continued support. After medium and long marriages, a maintenance order should not be taken for granted.

For more information on the issues raised by this article please contact sarah.crilly@wardhadaway.com or call 0191 204 4463.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Regulatory pressures on the care sector Andrew Cawkwell

The care home sector has been subject to increased Government intervention over the years and subsequently, care home operators are feeling the weight of economic, employment and regulatory pressures. Of the UK’s 5,500 care homes operators, research estimates that around 1,650 companies are struggling financially, and a quarter of those are at risk of becoming insolvent. The sector has been considered as relatively stable, but more recently, their local authority contracts have become subject to financial caps. Recent employment case law entitles staff to be paid for downtime, such as sleeping on site overnight, provided they have been asked to remain on site as part of their terms and conditions. This entitlement and expectation to be paid places added pressure on care homes. We’ve been involved in a case recently where care home staff launched legal claims for historic pay liabilities. As a result, it created a liability for the operator in excess of six figures. It meant

the business couldn’t survive as there wasn’t the cashflow to pay out. The business was forced into liquidation before being sold to another provider. While an insolvency provides a ring-fenced payment for employees based on wages, redundancy and holiday pay, it doesn’t provide for back-dated monies from claims. The employees brought about an action in the hope of getting paid, but it failed to achieve this which resulted in the business being sold. At Muckle LLP, we know how challenging owning a care home business can be and we offer advice and support to all operators in the sector. Whether it’s help with debt restructuring or proactively managing legal risks, come and talk to us. Andrew Cawkwell Partner and Certified Turnaround Professional Banking and Restructuring Team Muckle LLP e: Andrew.Cawkwell@muckle-llp.com @CompanyRescue

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Forward thinking Procurement for the 21st century NE Procurement is a growing public sector procurement business in the north east, what exactly do you do? Rod: The organisation was set up in 2008 by a number of north east based Social Residential Landlords to provide efficiencies and cost savings through collaborative procurement. This activity centred around the maintenance and repair of the housing stock managed by the Landlords with frameworks set up to undertake these works, (for example, replacing kitchens, bathrooms, central heating systems, roofs, etc.), creating better living environments for tenants. This activity generates savings a proportion of which is reinvested into the member organisation communities through our Future Sparks regeneration fund which has invested ÂŁ1.3m since 2011. Dave, you joined the team to develop the procurement expertise, how are you achieving this? Dave: Previously the category and contract management elements of our procurement offer were outsourced meaning dialogue with suppliers, contractors and merchants was at best limited. However, we are now communicating regularly with our supply chain partners to understand how their businesses work, their cultures and what they offer which enable us to build effective procurement solutions for our members where we can create true long term partnerships where all parties benefit, the key to this is transparent collaboration. So how does this process work? Dave: Member organisations approach us with

a potential project, for example, to replace a roof. We work together to design a specification which is clear, unambiguous and outlines the full requirements and is compliant with OJEU procurement regulation. This forms part of the tender pack which supply chain partners who have been appointed to the framework at its inception complete and return with their solutions. NE Procurement then undertakes a robust evaluation of the submissions to assess which is the best solution for the project and provides the Member organisation with feedback. The member awards the contract followed by a NEP managed prestart meeting to clarify the roles of all parties, agree the time frame for the project, etc. Finally, for the duration of the project, NE Procurement provides high level contract management ensuring the project runs as planned and if not, identifies and solves any issues as quickly and effectively as possible. The government has reduced the rental incomes charged by Residential Social Landlords so how can NE Procurement help to reduce the impact of this revenue decrease for its members? Dave: The NE Procurement operating model is evolving to meet the demands of members, we are fast becoming a procurement consultancy which works with partners to understand their business processes as well as their procurement needs. This enables us to undertake assessments of operational processes to identify ways to make day to day working more efficient and to look at procurement solutions to support this. As part of this approach and/or as an additional offer

NE Procurement generates cost savings through effective, innovative procurement. We see ourselves as an extension of the landlordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in-house procurement team offering additional resource so freeing up the internal team to undertake additional procurement activities which otherwise may have been missed. How are you trying to develop NE Procurement? Rod: We have three approaches to sustaining and growing NE Procurement, they are:1. T o develop new procurement frameworks which cover more general business needs, for example, Facilities Management, Fleet (Cars and Commercial Vehicles), Professional Services and Agency staff are those being considered currently. This will widen the appeal of our offer and open up new markets for us. 2. W e want to offer more options to our current members to grow true long term partnerships with NE Procurement where we are seen as the partner of choice when looking for the most effective cost and process efficiency savings for their businesses. Currently we make savings of between 15% - 40% across our various property maintenance and investment work frameworks. 3. T o move into new market sectors taking the benefits of our compelling offer to Local Authorities, Hospital Trusts, Schools and Higher Education establishments before in the future moving into the private sector where the benefits and savings of framework procurement are all too often missed.

If you are interested to learn more about NE Procurement email us at info@neprocurement.com or call 0191 2804188.

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PROPERTY INSIGHT

Happy New Year & Happy New Home

2016 is expected to see demand grow for new housing. There is a shortfall in supply against the increase in demand which should encourage a slight growth in our region’s house prices. But with the average house price continuing to increase more quickly than average earnings, it is proving increasingly difficult for first time buyers to get on to the property ladder. The government has promised more housing and new assistance to those wanting to buy their first home, and this will be welcomed across the north east. 2016 brings the inevitable prospect of an interest rate rise to mortgages. After almost seven years of a 0.5% base rate at the Bank of England, this increase may be needed in the south to slow the property market down, however homeowners in our region could do without the rise and help us to retain some stability. April will see a surcharge added to the stamp

duty paid on second homes, a move which will affect buy-to-let landlords. George Osborne added 3 per cent to every single stamp duty band for buy-to-let and second homes and this could lead to a flurry of activity in the New Year, before the change comes into effect. This may falsify the market in the first quarter’s statistics, yet only time will tell. Whether you are thinking of moving, remortgaging, buying a second home or simply wanting to review the current property market, here’s some New Year property “food for thought”. Never rush into moving, give yourself valuable time to search the property market. Enquire at estate agents and house builders about special offers, incentives and reduced stock on both rental and sale options. Why buy? It might make financial sense to rent. Seek professional advice and talk to a financial advisor. Your next move could be a long-term or shortterm move – make sure it is the right move. Estate agents are there to help – they have strong regional knowledge, give them a try. Ask for help, ask for guidance, ask and make an informed decision. Research the market, the location and perhaps

Jan Dale, Director, urban base

As we enter 2016, I have always found the month of January to be seasonally a very busy month. We often see an increase in new properties coming to the market for both Sale and Rent, as we celebrate the new year with yuletide resolutions; new job, new start, which inevitably can lead to moving and a new home. So what do I anticipate in the year ahead for the property market?

most importantly, the price. I hope 2016 promises to be a good year for our region’s property market, and just like a bad haircut, if it does go badly wrong, eventually it should grow again – just give it time!

Final chance to buy at Lemington housing development homes. Buyers visiting Scholars Wynd, on West Denton Road in Lemington, can view the three bedroom Barwick housetype, offering an open-plan lounge and dining room with French doors that open onto the rear garden, or the four bedroom Somerton, which features a lounge with a bay window and a separate utility room. Both housetypes include master en-suites and are perfect homes for families and first time buyers, priced from £182,995. Fenton Hewitt, Sales Director at Barratt Homes North East, commented: “Scholars Wynd is a beautiful development, with a range of properties that are accessible to first time buyers and families alike. We’re delighted that the development has been such a resounding success and I’d advise hopeful homebuyers to come sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.”

Barratt Homes North East is showcasing the last few homes remaining at its Scholar’s Wynd development in Lemington,

Newcastle, encouraging househunters to act fast to snap up one of these beautiful three and four bedroom starter and family

Scholars Wynd is a fantastic development of 70 starter and family homes in Lemington, with great access to Newcastle City Centre and Northumberland. Help to buy is available at the development which helps house buyers provide a deposit as low as 5% alongside Barratt Homes’ innovative Part Exchange scheme which gives house buyers the opportunity to sell their current property to the local house builder.

To find out more about Scholars Wynd, please visit: www.barratthomes.co.uk/

PROPERTY INSIGHT

Luxury homes at Longhirst Hall Dere Street Homes have begun work to convert the disused Grade II listed Longhirst Hall just outside Morpeth into 26 luxury homes ranging from two bedroom apartments to a nine bedroom detached home.

Their latest development follows close on the heels of the Durham-based developer’s Hill Top Farm development at Ramside Hall in Durham where sales of the 13 executive homes have already exceeded the most optimistic targets. Managing Director, Chris Hogan, explained the new development, “Longhirst is a very different project from the new build homes at Hill Top Farm and is actually more like our earlier development at Wolsingham which converted the historic Leazes Hall into four luxury apartments.” “We’ve been involved at Micklewood Park at Longhirst for over four years converting the Northumbria University buildings into private homes which have all now sold very successfully, so were very familiar with the estate when the hotel closed in March 2014.” “It’s a fascinating project working within a listed building and the homes will be truly luxurious with the jewel in the crown being a nine bedroom Main House with over 13,000 sq ft of space. There are also four other original historic homes for sale ranging from a five bedroom 7,000 sq ft home to a three bedroom former coach house all designed by John Dobson, the builder of Grey Street. There’s also nine large open plan three bedroom townhouses and we’re also planning for

13 two and three bedroom apartments although this is not yet finalised.” Located two miles north east of Morpeth, the grand country house of Longhirst Hall sits within superbly landscaped gardens and surrounding woodlands. The hall was designed by the famous John Dobson for the Lawson family in 1824 with construction completing in 1828 and remained within the family until being sold to self-made coal-mining magnate, Sir James Joicey, considered one of the richest men in the country, whose family occupied the property until 1936. The Hall was then sold to Moores Stores owner, Harry Moore, but was requisitioned by the Army during WWII as military accommodation. In 1948, the Moore family sold the property to the Home Office which converted the grand building into an approved school and then a community home for approximately 65 young boys until closing in 1982. The Hall remained vacant until being purchased by a private investment company in the early 90’s who completed extensive renovations, combined with a new build management training and conference centre and adjacent accommodation housing some 200 Northumbria University students. After just 10 years, however, the University decided to relocate

due to struggles attracting students to the rural campus. The Hall then entered a new phase after conversion into a 77 bedroomed hotel, hugely popular as a wedding venue with a 250 person function room in addition to the 23 conference rooms. The Hotel closed in March 2014 with the property remaining empty until Dere Street Homes purchased it earlier this year. Chris Hogan continued, “We have retained the superb historic features wherever possible and are restoring the property to its original use planned by John Dobson almost 200 years ago. The initial interest in the homes has already been very high and I’m sure prospective buyers will be impressed by the superb internal specification and the historic exteriors in addition to the magnificent setting.”

Potential buyers are invited to register their interest on www.derestreethomes.co.uk

INTERVIEW

The Bigger Picture Specialising in high-quality audio, home theatre and other exciting entertainment packages for your home and business, Cloud6 Consulting is a home technology company based in Newcastle Upon Tyne. This month, Northern Insight’s Michael Grahamslaw spoke to owner Mark Ryan about the story so far.

Can you briefly outline your journey through business prior to the inception of Cloud6 Consulting? It’s a simple series of events really but after an engineering apprenticeship I decided to take a break and do something revolving around my love of music, until I decided what I really wanted to do with the rest of my life. I could have become Simon Cowell but instead started working in the local Hifi shop. It was an ideal time really as the whole home cinema thing was at it’s early stages and was something I became really excited about. During my time there I was approached by a national chain to manage a new store. I met a lot of great people including a guy who was interested in starting to offer professional installations of the equipment we were selling. That company changed direction in 2012…... Did you always have a desire to form your own business? I can’t say yes to this question as it was redundancy which forced my hand. That and a bunch of clients tracking me down and asking if I’d continue to look after them. It was the best thing that could have happened looking back on it and although many people have asked why I hadn’t made the move sooner I wouldn’t have met the network of people I now have. Sometimes things just fall into place naturally. Your slogan reads “from wifi to hifi” exactly what services does your company provide? Well the wifi part is a massive problem for many people. There’s nothing worse than your other half or kids complaining that they can’t Bookface or Whatsitchat because they don’t have a decent wifi connection! Changing your BT router for a SKY one or a Virgin one doesn’t give you any better coverage so Cloud6 offer a service which essentially cures that problem. As many music services such as Spotify and TV services like Netflix rely on being connected to the world wide web this means we can know that anything we install, be it a ten room music system or a Dolby Atmos cinema room. This will be a joy to use instead of being a frustrating experience as is often the case.

What do you most enjoy about working within the technology/home entertainment business? I still love listening to the music and watching the big screen. Whilst the gadgets are something I’ve always been interested in they are ultimately a means to an end. There’s nothing I like more than firing up the clients favorite music or movie and seeing the look on their faces Luckily I’m doing something I love. It’s not a job. Personally, what do you reckon is the musthave home entertainment gadget? For me there are two things at home that I just can’t live without. First is my Sonos music system which is used everyday and second is my Control4 system which controls the TV system and all the other Smart stuff such as lights and CCTV. What is Cloud 6’s greatest achievement to date? I think so far it has to be completing a fully automated boardroom and meeting room space for a large local corporate client. It was a shift away from the luxury residential market but one which was really rewarding and introduced me to a different circle of professional people. All of who have continued to recommend Cloud6 to their friends and clients. How about your toughest challenge? The idea of growing the business larger is something I struggle with. Someone once said to me “small is beautiful” and I really believe that but also know that you have to stretch yourself. What does the future hold? The future…Something I don’t really dwell on too much but there are plans to set up a division to cater for the commercial/corporate market. High specification boardrooms and smartboard systems are something which has taken me by surprise over the last couple of years so the idea is to make some louder noises about that aspect of the business.

www.cloud6consulting.co.uk

What sort of music do you think best lends itself to your state of the art sound systems? Ooooh. This is a controversial one. I like a lot of music, and a lot of genres. For instance two of my favorite bands are The Editors and Wild Beasts but if I have to choose a specific genre it’s electronica. There’s something about electronic music which just hits the spot for me. One of the last live gigs I was at was Leftfield at Manchester’s Albert Hall, known to many for the music on the Guinness advert with the surfers and the horses coming out of the waves. Brilliant stuff. Their last album “Alternative Light Source” is a great test for a system. I should also let you know that i’ve a guilty pleasure which is “Moonlighting” by Leo Sayer. Don’t ask me why! Outside of the workplace, what are your interests? Funnily enough and you’ll have guessed this but the music and movies are just as much a work thing as a home thing. Live music and a trip to the cinema occasionally to see the latest overrated blockbuster. Anything on TV revolving around engineering be it architectural or rebuilding old vehicles and I’m hooked. Away from technology I try (but have failed recently) to get out there in the great outdoors and do some walking.

SELLING THE REGION’S FINEST HOMES

Celtic Manor

Gubeon Wood, Tranwell Woods, Morpeth Celtic Manor represents one of the finest new build detached houses available within Northumberland. A great deal of care and attention has gone into its design with high quality fittings, bespoke walnut furniture, intelligent wiring and impressive lighting. This magnificent five bedroom home has a leisure suite, a large self contained apartment and grounds of 6.5 acres. EPC: C

Price Guide: £2.95 Million

Washingwell House Front Street, Whickham

Washingwell House, built in the mid 18th century, has been greatly renovated and extended to provide a very tasteful family home. The six bedroom property has a recently refurbished kitchen/breakfast room, impressive interior design and private grounds which include rolling lawns, fabulous borders, a raised vegetable bed, stone terraces, a courtyard and a double garage. EPC: E

Price Guide: £875,000

From Sanderson Young ALL CONFIDENTIAL ENQUIRIES TO 0191 223 3500 OR EMAIL: DUNCAN.YOUNG@SANDERSONYOUNG.CO.UK | WWW.SANDERSONYOUNG.CO.UK

MEDIA INSIGHT Christian Cerisola, Director, Glue PR

Fleet Street Editor offers insight into PR/media relationship Amol Rajan is the Editor of the Independent Newspaper. And he’s worth a follow on Twitter. As the youngest Editor on Fleet Street, he has a pretty refreshing, honest and open feed. Interestingly, what he also does is update his followers on how many PR companies he’s putting on his blocked list of emails that now don’t get through his spam filters. If you believe his feed, he adds dozens a day. Every one of them is irrelevant to him. He doesn’t want to hear anything more from them.

Your world and what goes on in it is, of course, all important, but I do my best to encourage all of our clients to ‘get their heads up’ and take in what happens in the media. It’s worth understanding that someone like Amol Rajan is unlikely to be the one to even write about the Commons vote on dropping bombs on Syria, so sending him news of your updated website is only going to leave you and your PR reps in his growing pile of unread trash. It’s just not worth it.

There must be a miniscule percentage of clients and their PR representatives who agree that sending emails to the editor of a national newspaper is a justified use of their time. It’s a barmy waste and does nothing for the image of the usefulness of working in partnership with a PR agency to help deliver powerful stories about your business.

Of course, communications professionals will have strong contacts. And there’s hundreds of tools or hacks that help communications specialists with their jobs. Many will help identify the right journalists and the right publications. But this is all about you and your chosen PR team understanding you as a business and your product and service. Importantly, it’s about understanding and appreciating who your target audiences are and exactly what they are interested in.

In politics? Speak to the political correspondents. Generating a thousand jobs with a new manufacturing plant? That’s for the business desk. Opening a swanky new hotel? The travel desk might like to know more. Even then, stop thinking that just because you’re in travel that your story instantly deserves the spotlight. That goes for all the examples about.

And these days, it’s not just about media relations, and those who carry influence over your target market can arrive from many different avenues. But even when you’re approaching a niche target, put yourself in someone like Amol Rajan’s shoes and think hard and honestly about whether that really is the right approach.

Mr Rajan’s not the only one in media who highlights the spammy approach of some communications ‘professionals’. The PR/Journalist relationship has often been a fraught one. Earning media space from influential publications is as tough as it’s ever been.

You could be doing more long-term damage than good.

Christian Cerisola is Director at Glue PR www.gluepr.co.uk

MEDIA INSIGHT

Ask Silver Bullet John Dias, Managing Director of Silver Bullet

As a retailer, I’d like to use Social Media to promote our facility, but I’m worried if this could negatively affect us too? The first point I would make to not only yourself but to ALL organisations using or considering using social media is to fully understand what you’re getting into and seek advice if you’re not sure whether it’s for you. The digital revolution has brought us many opportunities but social media, like any other form of publicity, is a double edged sword – utilised properly it can be fantastically successful at little or no cost, but mishandled or started and then ignored, it can destroy reputations and brands just as easily. In essence, social media enables consumer experiences to be shared publicly on a global scale rather than the traditional relationship between just the individual and the organisation. Previously, a strongly worded letter was the normal means of having a complaint heard by a retailer but using social media, especially Twitter and Facebook, consumers can document their poor experiences, good and bad, enjoyed or endured in shops, bars, restaurants or any other retail outlet. Disgruntled customers’ comments on personal experiences, whether positive or negative can also go viral (redistributed by viewers to their own audiences) creating a width of exposure that is incredibly hard to control. Their purpose is to thank or publicly shame but they may also want

to receive a faster and more meaningful response than previous channels allowed.

would advise (eg the Thomas Cook affair also of June 2015)?

A great example of this is the Morrisons social media viral of June 2015. 37 year old David Walker took to Facebook and targeted Morrisons over the purchase of an unevenly sliced loaf of bread he had purchased at the Killingworth store with a distinctly tongue-in-cheek rant. The Facebook outburst, with accompanying photo attracted 10,000 shares and over 23,000 likes.

And herein lies the dilemma of social media – if you’re going to use it, you need to have the resources, both staff and knowledge, to manage it. Comments and posts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms, whether true or false, can be hugely damaging if they’re not answered quickly and effectively. When review platforms are also considered, the potential for damage or falsification is increased even more, so much that the Competition and Market Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into false reviews on platforms such as Amazon, Tripadvisor, Expedia and Checkatrade.

A situation that could have easily gone so wrong was then turned to the retailer’s advantage by their Social Media staff who responded with an equally tongue-in cheek answer, whilst also sending him a direct message and two new perfect loaves of bread delivered to his door. The conversation continued with David Walker thanking the company and Morrisons coming over as responsive, human and customer-focused whilst the ensuing national media coverage alone was worth thousand of pounds. The Morrisons staff had played a perfect innings here, mirroring the tone of the complaint, one individual dealing with it from start to finish and supplying a replacement that more than placated the customer – in other words, they listened and they responded. But, imagine what would have happened had the complaint been ignored or worse still, treated high-handedly as many of some big companies’ legal departments

So the decision to use or ignore social media will ultimately depend on the resources you’re prepared to invest. Used properly you can post relevant content that attracts potential customers and increases brand visibility, respond instantly to industry/local developments to become a voice of authority, increase SEO and boost website traffic, improve customer service and feedback response. The downside is that you need to commit resources - these should be trained senior staff who have the authority to respond instantly rather than await permission - and failure to respond or poor response can damage your brand – bad news can go viral just as easily as good…

So do you need to some assistance with your social media? Do you need to review your strategy or do you have another marketing question we can help with? Talk to us. Email your questions anonymously to us today hello@silverbulletmarketing.co.uk or Tweet us (not so anonymously) @SilverBulletPR and use the hash tag #AskSB

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MEDIA INSIGHT

#FuturePRoofing PR Sarah Hall

There is a lot of talk about the threat to PR as disciplines merge. Some argue that with the evolution of comms, PR and marketing are now one and the same. Many continue to assert that PR is a subset of marketing. In truth, PR holds much greater value as a strategic management tool and is far from a dying art. PR’s unique gift is its ability to build mutually beneficial relationships with an organisation’s stakeholders to help it achieve its goals. No other comms discipline has such influence or can complement and even correct other marketing techniques in the way PR can. Take the recent Volkswagen scandal in which the company knowingly marketed vehicles emitting illegal levels of emissions. It’s now down to the PR team to communicate how Volkswagen plans to fix affected vehicles and improve compliance, not to mention rebuild trust among consumers.

The future is bright In 1999, Dr Jon White presented a paper to the Swiss Public Relations Society that stated that the future was bright for PR practitioners. This was dependent on practitioners recognising ‘the opportunities presented by the environment and management needs’ and taking ‘steps to educate and train themselves’, as well as making ‘full use of communication technology, to provide

Tel: 07702 162704

reliable, if not indispensable, services to managers as they seek to deal with complexity and manage successful businesses.’

contributors offer timely observations and compelling lessons from an industry that is changing fast.”

Very little has changed. But perhaps we need reminding of it.

Rob Brown, CIPR President-Elect and managing director of Rule-5 describes #FuturePRoof as “an ambitious project to codify the vast changes that have had an impact on the practice of 21st century public relations. It delivers guidance and advice that is valuable, relevant and immediate.”

This is where a project I have been leading called #FuturePRoof comes in.

PR as a management discipline #FuturePRoof is a community with the bold ambition of asserting PR’s role as a management discipline. It launched at the start of November with a book in which 35 leading PR professionals look frankly at the industry today to discuss the inherent value of public relations, the opportunities and challenges faced and raise awareness of the role it plays in driving business success. A practical guide to some of the key issues facing the managers of comms teams, the book is designed to drive up standards and professionalism, engender innovative thinking and to encourage PR practitioners to create disruption, not just embrace it. As Arun Sudhaman, Partner/Editor-in-Chief of The Holmes Report says: “A diverse range of voices that provide illuminating insight into the dramatic evolution of public relations, #FuturePRoof’s

sarah@sarahhallconsulting.co.uk

#FuturePRoof teams with best practice advice and guidance thanks to the wealth of talent featured within it. It provides context on the world in which PR practitioners operate today. It offers practical solutions to daily challenges while scanning the horizon and looking at how to identify and navigate ‘what’s next’. I’d very much encourage anyone working within the industry to read it. Nearly 1300 free copies of #FuturePRoof have been downloaded from the www. futureproofingcomms.co.uk website since its launch at the start of November. Hard copies are also available from Blurb at a cost of £25.99. We continue to look for people to become part of the community so anyone wanting to join the conversation can do so by following the Twitter feed @WeArePRoofed.

www.sarahhallconsulting.co.uk

@hallmeister

MEDIA INSIGHT

2016: The Year of Digital Dominance Brett Jacobson, Managing Director, Mediaworks

What does the digital domain hold for 2016? Brett Jacobson, Managing Director of creative search agency Mediaworks, makes his predictions for the next 12 months. If there’s one thing that is constant in the digital marketing industry, it’s change. From new algorithms to refresher updates, it’s a fast paced sector — fail to keep up and you’ll be left behind. 2016 is set to be no different. Whether it’s Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC) or your overall digital strategy, here’s what to expect this year:

SEO Mobile is set to continue its dominance into 2016. Recognising the growing audience of smartphone and tablet users, Google will continue to tailor its services to meet the needs of mobile users. While we’ve already seen the start of this in 2015 with the launch of the mobile algorithm, it’s expected to grow even further, making mobilefriendly sites essential rather than optional. We’ll also see Google using more Schema

information in search results, giving people the information they need instantly to prevent them from leaving the site. It’s all part of Google’s continued plan to dominate the search market.

PPC Social offers some of the biggest possibilities in terms of paid search this year. Leading the way are Facebook and Twitter, after already pipping Google to the post by offering ad targeting by email address. Instagram also launches their ad services in the final quarter of 2015, so it’s definitely one we’ll see growing over the next 12 months. Playing catch up are LinkedIn and Pinterest. The former is expected to follow the likes of Facebook and Twitter and begin offering remarketing, while the latter is expected to fully launch their advertising platform in 2016. As these developments show, social media has incredible potential this year. In terms of formats, mobile will of course remain ever-popular, while buying products from video reviews and vlogs will launch fully.

Digital Strategy Like previous years, manual outreach will remain an important aspect of any digital marketing strategy. However, one thing that is likely to change is how we measure engagement. Moving away from a fixation on domain authority, elements like number of clicks, time spent on site and number of pages visited could be considered alongside social sharing and completion rates to determine the value of a link. In short, we’re moving away from robotic digital strategies that cater solely to algorithms. It’s all about positioning the right content in front of the right audiences, so a more considered approach is essential. As our predictions show, 2016 is set to be a challenging year for any online brand. Adapting your digital strategy to the changes that lie ahead is crucial. However, with correct foresight and proper planning, you can make 2016 your year for success.

To find out how to dominate digital this year, get in touch with Mediaworks today. Call us on (0191) 404 0100 or email us at info@mediaworks.co.uk .

MEDIA INSIGHT

Adam Eley

First of all hello and Happy New Year to you all from everyone at JAM Marketing! As we wave goodbye to 2015 and welcome in 2016, you might be looking to set some New Year’s resolutions, and while yours may be signing up for the 12 month gym membership that you’ll use until the end of January, from a marketing and PR pointof-view, resolutions might be a better option – and better value long term than that wardrobe of workout gear you just bought. So what should you resolve to do this year that you could have done a little better last year? Here are just a few tips to bear in mind – a late Christmas gift if you will!

Embrace social media It’s difficult to believe that in these halcyon days for Twitter and Facebook that some businesses still haven’t cottoned on to social media. According to a 2014 article from blogger Jeff Bullas, about 63% of worldwide brands have multiple Twitter accounts. Basic marketing and PR says that you want to get your brand name out there as much as possible. Staggering then, that a nine day analysis by VentureBeat found that 47.6% of businesses and brands did not tweet at all. Maybe the most surprising part of the findings though was that it only took place in April 2015. Getting on board with and fully embracing social media may be taken for granted these days, but it still a tool that can open up your business to millions of eyes both locally and worldwide.

Offer a personal service Imagine you are in a restaurant and the main courses are delivered to your table. However, instead of the dish you ordered, the waiter brings to you 15 meals that you have no interest in. That’s going to affect your feelings about the restaurant, right? Well, the same can be said about marketing and PR. Tailoring the service to the individual can massively pay dividends in terms of building a rapport with a client as well as drive business. If a client is in the market for written marketing and promotional material, it would be a bad idea to try and talk them into going with something they don’t feel will be beneficial to them. By all means, explain the other services you offer and the benefits, but don’t pressure or detract from what they require. It might sound obvious, but also stay in regular contact with clients. Not only will it allow the clearing up of any confusion, but the reassurance that comes with a phone call will certainly go some way to building and maintaining the business relationship making sure everyone is on the same page. On a final note here, don’t sugar-coat things. If a client needs to hear something then say it! They will appreciate the honesty.

Give youth a chance Students, interns, apprentices…call them what you will, but those offering part-time or voluntary work can really offer something new.

Bringing fresh ideas to the table, they can bring a wealth of PR and marketing thinking involving new technology and trends. What they may lack in experience, they often make up for in injecting enthusiasm and passion into a project. The advantages aren’t limited to the apprentice themselves. As an employer, not only are you getting a raft of fresh thinking, apprentices can be tailored to specific roles while retaining their flexibility meaning your business’ needs are properly met.

Think outside the box While the traditional press release is a tried and tested (and successful) way of marketing a client, creating intrigue or even going that extra mile can really make the difference and help you and the client stick out. Guerilla marketing is one option, which can be done at a relatively low cost and often yields outstanding results. Things such as Vodafone hiring pickpockets to put flyers into peoples’ pockets to promote their insurance products would have been relatively inexpensive, but raised the issue and promoted the product perfectly. It may be something that you could take into account and benefit from!

Here’s hoping your 2016 is a good one! Until next time

Adam Eley

As always, if you need any advice or information on any aspect of marketing or PR, give us a call at JAM Marketing on 0845 900 2127 or drop us an email at info@jam-marketing.co.uk

MEDIA INSIGHT

nesma passport to international careers Veronica Swindale Director - nesma

Have you made a New Year’s resolution? Are you looking for new experiences, wanting to take the next step on the career ladder or see more of the world? Some of nesma’s recent students have done just that and are now working in marketing around the world. The latest person to leave nesma to move abroad is Gloria Fernandez Gomez. She passed her CAM Digital Diploma in the summer and moved to Madrid last month to work in the tourism industry. She is currently working as a sales and marketing co-ordinator for Golf Clicker Spain, an online golf tour operator. “The boss has asked me to create a marketing campaign,” explained Gloria. “So I am able to put my knowledge into practice straight away. The CAM qualification has helped me to understand how the business works and how to use digital media to position it in the minds of our customers.” Also on the move was Renzo Schettini who passed his CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing (Digital). Renzo is now working in Spain for CMP Products, part of British Engines Limited. His role is to develop the Spanish and Italian markets for this leading manufacturer of electronic

components. Both students agreed that the CIM and CAM qualifications they had passed gave them a significant advantage when they were job hunting overseas. This was also born out by a cohort of nesma students who studied for the Digital Marketing Diploma in Edinburgh. They were working in Egypt, Australia, France, Indonesia as well as Scotland. nesma Director, Veronica Swindale, believes that

the global acceptability of the qualifications is a big advantage for students. “Some are already working in multinational organisations such as Sage and Akzo Nobel or for overseas businesses such as Vattenfall and Zumtobel. As a result they are used to considering the international dimensions and how to incorporate them in their marketing planning. “This is one of the reasons why they have such an advantage when looking for jobs, either here or abroad.”

To find out more about the CIPR, CIM, CAM, DMI qualifications beginning in January 2016 please contact Veronica Swindale. www.nesma.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0)7590 018 205 Email: info@nesma.co.uk

#AskSB

I know I am working with the “right people... how very clever. ” Jason Waterfield, Catering Director, King’s College, Cambridge

Do you have a marketing question you have always wanted to ask? Ask:SB @SilverBulletPR Hello@silverbulletmarketing.co.uk www.silverbulletmarketing.co.uk

MEDIA INSIGHT

Agency has designs on the future For 20 years, Newcastle design agency The Roundhouse has been at the forefront of an ever-changing industry. Co-Founder, Ian Humpish, explains how the agency has stayed ahead of the game. When Ian founded Newcastle-based brand and design consultancy The Roundhouse 20 years ago, with fellow Director Nick Pugh, the majority of its output was print-based. Then came the digital revolution and, while many agencies struggled to adapt to the changing demands of the sector, The Roundhouse - which took its name from its original Plummer Tower office space in Newcastle - has gone from strength to strength. Now operating from state-of-the-art facilities at Fenham Hall Studios, Fenham, it employs 24 staff and provides branding and communications to some of the UK’s most prestigious organisations. “There were quite a lot of design agencies around in 1995 when we established the business,” said Ian, “but very few have stood the test of time. “I think the secret to our success has been that we have anticipated and responded to the changing market and our customers changing needs and we were committed to remaining at the forefront of our business in terms of design

skills and the technology that now underpins the industry” “Consequently, our work has developed into a much broader mix of brand strategy and communications, although great design is still at the heart of what we do. “The medium may have varied but our clients still expect – and receive – the highest quality, effective design, that adds significant value to their businesses.” Ian also believes the company’s adherence to traditional values, consistency, creativity and a willingness to sustain and nurture client relationships, has helped them weather the economic storms of the past two decades. The Roundhouse has expanded its services to include Roundhouse Digital, which has achieved international recognition creating websites and digital solutions for global institutions and blue chip companies. Its team of digital designers continues the tradition of excellence in creativity developed by The Roundhouse and is supported by an in-house team of consultants and developers who enable websites not just to look great; but to work well and have positive effect on an organisations’ operation. Its services have been further enhanced by

the addition of Roundhouse Pictures, which has established a solid reputation for both photography and film creation; bringing rich video and animation content to support brands and bring additional depth to their online and offline marketing. Among its longstanding clients are leading international shipping insurance company, Newcastle-based North, the 21 Group, Hay & Kilner, Northern Recruitment Group, venture capital company, NVM, along with major universities in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Other clients encompass a variety of sectors from the arts to legal and financial professions. And the company, which consistently records annual turnover in excess of £1.5m, is continuing to evolve; currently preparing for what could be the most exciting stage yet in its development. Last year alone, it experienced a 20 per cent growth in business and is on target to achieve a 25 per cent growth in turnover this year. “Historically, we haven’t shouted about what we do,” said Ian. “But the fact that we have quietly evolved and thrived in one of the fastest moving industries, is proof that if you just concentrate on doing an excellent job, while keeping an eye on the future, the results will speak for themselves.”

For more information call 0191 274 1685 email design@theroundhouse.co.uk or visit www.theroundhouse.co.uk.

The annual Winter warmer ITPS and Cellular solutions celebrated their turkey cup golf day on Wednesday 2nd December. The annual event saw the two companies along with their clients and partners play 18 holes at the prestigious Close House golf club. Golfers got into the festive spirit with novelty Christmas jumpers and even a Christmas onesie for the more daring of the bunch. The weather stayed fine for the duration of the event and the lucky winners walked away with Christmas Turkeys for their sterling performance on the greens.

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Calibre looks to education to power ahead in 2016 The directors of one of the North East’s leading technology firms predict strong growth in 2016 for the regional IT education sector, despite budget strains. Calibre Secured Networks Ltd directors, Karen and Steve Nelson, have eyes firmly fixed on schools across the region, who are switching to new mobile and e-Learning technologies, powered by enterprise-grade networks. Nationally, schools spend more than £900 million a year on education technology and over £17 billion on education products and services exports. Investment in IT in the North East at least is expected to hold steady in the next 12 months in the face of the continued rise of things, such as e-Books, which free up library space while other areas of education face budget restraints or even cutbacks. Steve says: “If there’s anything certain about the future, it’ll be the continuing, remorseless rise of e-Learning. Forward thinking schools are incorporating exciting new technologies, such as gesture-based learning where students interact with digital resources instead of using a keyboard or mouse, into their curricula.” An array of automated solutions are now emerging says Steve Nelson. SRS (Student Response Systems), for instance, will gain acceptance in classrooms as a new way to record responses for immediate feedback to the teacher.

“Curriculum elements, such as tests, quizzes and exercises will all be generated by tools able to efficiently scan the course content and recognise its most important aspects that should be tested.” However, Steve Nelson added: “The skills’ gap among IT technicians is a huge problem and

schools will need to train these people as well as teachers quickly in the face of increasingly complex IT estates.” It is clear that the whole interactive learning experience is improving for years to come.

Gateshead IT firm presses ahead with new contract win Fast growing IT firm, Advantex Network Solutions Ltd, has won a five-figure contract to improve on-site security at a Sunderland car components’ manufacturer. The Gateshead firm has secured the work to supply and install a new internet-based CCTV surveillance system at Unipres (UK) Limited

(UPUK), which produces car-body structural parts for the likes of Nissan, Honda and Renault at its factory on Cherry Blossom Way. The move will improve the monitoring and security of critical areas, such as production and robot assembly lines, along with the safety of 1100 people employed at the site.

Overall, the new CCTV technology will deliver significant savings and efficiencies for Unipres. Guy Capstaff, IT manager for Unipres, said: “We will benefit from the highest levels of on-site security following this latest investment. Advantex has delivered a flexible, quality system that secures our needs for site safety.”

No nightmare before Christmas for Scott Logic A local software firm welcomed six new hires to its ranks. Before Christmas, Scott Logic, a growing consultancy based in Newcastle’s St James’ Gate, welcomed three software developers, two senior developers and a senior marketing executive to their team. Not only that, but there’s a pipeline

Ready to reduce costs and achieve more from your IT spend? Call us now and find out how.

of nine confirmed new starters for 2016 so far. Several of the new members of the Scott Logic team studied in the region, or have chosen to relocate here from other areas in the UK. The company, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in September 2015, started 2015 with around 140 staff, and by mid-month, had almost 190. This

figure also doesn’t include the firm’s summer interns. Recruitment Manager, John Wright, explained: “December is traditionally seen as a slow month for recruitment and it was relatively rare to be busy in terms of new starters joining that close Christmas.”

IT Professional Services Ltd. Axwell House, Waterside Drive, Metrocentre East Business Park, Gateshead NE11 9HU. E: contact@itps.co.uk Follow us on

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

Kevin Almond, Head of Professional Services Department at ITPS, takes a look at the top issues facing IT teams in 2016 Kevin Almond

In recent years the role of the IT department has gradually moved from a support role into that of a business driver. As technology continues to evolve at a furious pace, it presents both opportunities and challenges. So what are the biggest issues facing IT managers and business owners over the coming year? Big data and the Internet of Things (IoT): being able to capture large amounts of data is changing the way we do business, but data in itself is worth nothing if it cannot be mined and used to improve processes and create new revenue streams. An increasing amount of data is generated via IoT, which sees devices and inanimate objects directly communicating via the internet. Industry experts Gartner predict we will see 25 billion things connected to the internet by 2020 and while still a relatively young arena set to transform some businesses, it could potentially be the demise of others. Business owners need to recognise that as big data drives storage, hardware and network infrastructure developments, it is the underpinning technology solution and communications ‘plumbing’ that will really influence its success. The IT skills gap: As IT becomes more complex the skills shortage becomes more acute. The issue was debated in Parliament last year, and an estimated 45% of UK businesses are dealing with a shortage of IT talent that is set to harm

innovation. Rather than trying to maintain high levels of expertise in-house, one option is to switch to the benefits of tailored managed services or outsourcing models provided by an expert IT partner. Bringing in a third party to handle some – or all – of their IT requirements keeps the client in the driving seat and resolves the issue of day to day skills capability as well as allowing them to tap into high level strategic expertise as and when needed. Improving management overview: the age-old problem of having access to real time management information will continue to rest with the IT department, meaning integrating disparate systems and data from cloud and inhouse systems will remain at the top of the IT manager’s agenda. A full ‘from the inside out’ review of infrastructure and systems to assess whether the tail is actually wagging the dog may sound daunting but will pay dividends in the long term. What worked for you five years ago may no longer be appropriate, as your business evolves. Establishing anytime, anywhere access: As boundaries between work and home continue to blur, many of us expect to be ‘always connected’. This has prompted a huge rise in bring your own device (BYOD), where staff use their own mobile devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones to access company data and applications and presents an ongoing challenge to businesses trying to balance accessibility and potential cost savings with security and control. IT managers

need to work with HR and operations teams to make sure the company and its staff understand the risks, responsibilities and obligations around how BYOD is implemented and used. Tightened security: even with all the security tools at the IT manager’s disposal, data and security breaches are a fact of business life and will continue to make the headlines in 2016. The IT industry has seen a recent growth explosion in tools that detect and deal with disruptions, such as the SolarWinds N-able network monitoring platform. Combining regular and comprehensive preventative maintenance with real time monitoring of critical network and desktop devices can remove a major headache for IT managers and ensure network reliability and stability. Shrinking budgets: the continuous push to do more with less puts IT managers under more pressure than ever before to deliver. Step back and consider your IT requirements like a clean sheet - encourage a strategic, creative approach to IT issues, review the potential benefits of unified communications and cloud services to switch from capital expenditure to operating expenditure models, and bring the right partner in for advice and support. You might be pleasantly surprised by how fresh thinking and a new approach to your IT can not only help you solve current and future challenges, but also deliver big benefits across the business.

For more information visit www.itps.co.uk, email contact@itps.co.uk or tel (0191) 442 8300

Percy Hedley 500 Professor Ammar Mirza CBE helped launch the Challenge 500 at the Gosforth Marriot supported by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Ian Graham. Percy Hedley make a significant impact to the lives of those less fortunate through their foundation supporting disabled young people and their families. The challenge urges companies to use their skills to turn a ÂŁ500 investment into as much money as they can over a six-month period to support our service users and families. This is a fun way for companies to help raise critical funds. Organisations already signed up include McDonalds, Lloyd BMW, Newcastle College, Bentinck Furniture, ABC, Newcastle Building Society and many more. To join them contact Sheila Coltman s.coltman@percyhedley.org.uk or telephone 0191 238 1321

MOTORS INSIGHT L to R Simon Hartley, Kenny Atkinson and Thomas McAlindon, Audi General Manager.

Be World Class To celebrate the motive’s and inspiration behind Audi’s brand new R8 and A4 editions, now arriving at Audi Scotswood Road, Newcastle…. Benfield, now part of the Lookers family, held a special ‘Be World Class’ event for its VIP customers. Hosted by leading author and motivational speaker Simon Hartley, and the North East’s very own Michelin starred Master Chef, Kenny Atkinson, guests were treated to an exclusive opportunity to hear about the ‘secrets of success’ and at the same time receive an exclusive preview of the all new Audi R8 and A4. The event was well attended and guests were also treated to some ‘World Class’ food courtesy of the award winning House of Tides Restaurant, England ‘s Restaurant of the Year. The new Audi R8 and A4 went on sale in November.

Further information is available on www.drivebenfield.com

MOTORS INSIGHT

MD scoops prestigious ‘Teesside Business Executive of the Year’ award

Nas Khan, Managing Director of Jennings Motor Group has beaten tough competition after winning ‘Teesside Business Executive of the Year’ award, part of the highly prestigious ‘North East Business Executive of the Year’ awards.

Organised by The Journal and The Gazette, in association with wealth managers, Brewin Dolphin, the awards have been recognising outstanding business leaders from a number of sectors over the past three decades.

manager, group sales and marketing manager and sales and marketing director.

One of three finalists, Nas, received his award from the BBC’s Jeff Brown at a presentation dinner, which took place at the Marriott Newcastle Hotel, Gosforth Park.

This is the second award this year for the managing director who also won a prestigious global award from Ford Motor Company at the beginning of the year, in recognition of his efforts and contributions to the community.

Guest speaker for this year’s ceremony was John Lloyd who has masterminded some of the most successful and well-loved TV and radio shows of the last three decades, including Blackadder, QI, Spitting Image and Not the Nine O’clock News. Nas Khan, managing director of Jennings Motor Group, said; “I am honoured and delighted to receive such a highly prestigious award as this. “Jennings Motor Group will continue to go from strength to strength with on-going investment and expansion plans in place for the region in the future.” The md’s career in the motor industry began as a graduate at the age of 22, when he was appointed as a sales executive at the group’s Ford dealership on Yarm Road in Stockton. Over the years, Nas has received a number of promotions to business manager, assistant sales

As a participant in a management buyout in 1992, Nas acquired the company as a result of a second management buyout in 2005 and became managing director.

One of six honourees worldwide and the only representative in the UK, Nas was the recipient of Ford Motor Company’s ‘2015 Salute to Dealers’ award. The award was in recognition of his ongoing commitment and support to various charities within the local community, in addition to the Emaan Foundation, a registered charity he set up to fund the construction of a new village in Pakistan following the devastating floods in 2010. Although the village, which has been named The Emaan village, is now complete, Nas has launched a second appeal and is currently fundraising to build a new health centre for residents. As well as the award from Ford Motor Company, Nas also received a commissioned watercolour collage representing his involvement

in the variety of causes he supports, a copy of which will be on display at Ford Motor Company’s World HQ in Michigan for the next two years. Nas added: “We always will be a company committed to supporting the local community whenever we can.” Throughout the year, staff have also been raising money for the company’s nominated charity for 2015, Teesside Hospice. Two successful fundraising events raised more than £5000 and the most recent activity included 15 male members of staff abstaining from shaving for a whole month, which raised just over £1000. By the end of the year, the grand total raised by staff, is expected to exceed the £12,000 mark. Jennings Motor Group operates 12 branches across the region, including Ford, Ford Direct, Kia, Mazda, SEAT, Mitsubishi and a Used Car Outlet. The motor dealer group is responsible for new and used retail, fleet, commercial and Motability sales, in addition to operating service, MOT, accident repair centres and parts departments. Renowned for delivering the highest level of customer service, the company has won Ford’s prestigious Chairman’s Award 20 times over the past 21 years.

For more information about the range of products and services available at Jennings Motor Group, visit www.jenningsmotorgroup.co.uk

ARTS NEWS

A stomping great return to town for the bin lid kings Fresher, faster and funnier than ever, the multi-award winning theatrical spectacle Stomp is set to make a return to Newcastle Theatre Royal for one week only, 15-20 February 2016. A unique combination of percussion, dance and comedy, Stomp is a stage spectacle in a genre of its own. Everyday objects, such as dustbin lids, matchboxes, brooms and cigarette lighters, are transformed into musical instruments and props. The cast then command the stage with an unprecedented energy and rhythm in order to ‘play’ them.

scope, gaining legions of fans along the way and becoming the theatrical sensation it is today. The creators and co-directors have developed a unique, universal language of rhythm, theatre, comedy and dance, which has become a true phenomenon. Since their last visit to Newcastle in 2000, the Stomp cast have performed in the closing ceremony at the 2012 Olympics and have introduced two new pieces to the show: Frogs and Trolleys.

Now entering its 23rd year, this smash hit show has entertained over 15 million people across 50 countries worldwide; featured in a range of commercials, film soundtracks and TV collaborations and won multiple awards.

The creators are both very happy with the way the new pieces have slotted in and they will be working on more new routines later this year.

The show was born in Brighton, UK, in the summer of 1991 as the result of a ten year collaboration between street theatre artists and creators Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas. The legend of Stomp grew in ambition and

The whole show hurtles towards a brilliantly reworked climax and is a showstopper in every sense. Joyous, thumping, exhilarating bliss for all involved … except the bins!

The final seven acts take to the road on The X Factor 2016 Live Tour

The Kinks musical coming to Sunderland

As announced live on The X Factor by Simon Cowell, the final seven acts remaining in this year’s competition will be taking to the road on The X Factor 2016 Live Tour, which will come to The Metro Radio Arena on Thursday 10th March. The top seven acts in this year’s live arena tour are: Anton Stephans, 4th Impact, Reggie ‘N’ Bollie, Louisa Johnson, Lauren Murray, Ché Chesterman and Mason Noise. The event is a country wide arena tour with the contestants performing classic songs and viewers’ favourites from the TV series. Attended by over three million people, The X Factor Live Tour has been one of the most successful annual arena tours in the UK for the past eleven years. Tickets are on sale now so make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to catch this year’s stars live.

Still remaining is Stomp’s signature choreography, tight ensemble work, industrial percussion and a narrative of anarchic clowning.

As the West End hit musical continues to excite audiences, Sonia Friedman Productions and Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce the national tour of Sunny Afternoon. Recipient of four awards at the 2015 Olivier Awards, Sunny Afternoon will open at the Manchester Opera House on Friday 19 August 2016 and will play The Sunderland Empire Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 October 2016. Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, Sunny Afternoon tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks. The Kinks exploded onto the 60s music scene with a raw energetic new sound that rocked a nation. But how did that happen, where exactly did they come from and what happened next? Set against the back-drop of Britain between the 50s and the 60s, the production explores the euphoric highs and agonising lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands.

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ARTS NEWS

It’s a $150 million Thriller!

What’s on this January? Dick Whittington November 24- January 17 Newcastle Theatre Royal T: (0844) 8112 121 www.theatreroyal.co.uk Paul Carrack January 9 Sage Gateshead T: (0191) 443 4661 www.sagegateshead.com The Simon & Garfunkel Story January 11 Sunderland Empire T: (0191) 566 1040 www.atgtickets.com/venue/sunderlandempire Murder on The Nile January 19 -23 The People’s Theatre T: (0191) 265 5020 www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Long-running, record-breaking West End concert spectacular, Thriller Live, has now taken in excess of $150million at the global box office. An updated version of the show will be at The Sunderland Empire for one week only, 25 - 30 January 2016. Producer, Paul Walden, said: “We are certainly not resting on our laurels, as a brand new version of the show, with four new songs, a new opening, new production elements, new costumes and special effects, is on a 10-month UK and international tour. With all these changes we aim to once again set the bar high in terms of what a West End audience will see, hear and experience. “This is proof positive that the music of Michael Jackson is still one of the hottest tickets on the planet. We are privileged to continue his musical legacy in Thriller Live, and to have taken it to theatres, concert halls and arenas in 32

countries around the world. “Half this amazing total has come from our record-breaking seven-year West End run and UK tours. One hundred and fifty million dollars is a landmark financial milestone that few modern stage shows attain. We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of all of the creative team, dancers, singers, musicians and crew who have entertained the world as part of the Thriller Live family.” Thriller Live, which is choreographed and directed by award-winning Gary Lloyd, was originally conceived and created by Adrian Grant, a long-time associate of Michael Jackson and author of Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary. It is produced by Paul Walden and Derek Nicol for Flying Music in association with Adrian Grant for Key Concerts.

Record of The Month - Coldplay ‘A Head Full of Dreams’ After 2014’s maudlin ‘Post-Gwyneth’ offering Ghost Stories, Coldplay make a triumphant return with perhaps their most joyous album yet. Lively dance textures are fused with echoing guitars to create a work of great colour- perhaps best epitomised by their catchy new lead single ‘Adventure of a Lifetime.’ The album also features an impressive host of guest stars with Beyonce providing backing vocals on the R&B tinged ‘Hymn for the Weekend’ alongside Noel Gallagher playing guitar on the closing track ‘Up & Up.’ Rumoured to be their last, the album is bursting with energy from start to finish as they dabble in a more poppy, optimistic sound. Aside from track four ‘Everglow’ there seems to be little trace of that ‘conscious uncoupling!’

Kiss Me Kate January 19-23 Gala Theatre Durham T: (03000) 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk Hairspray January 19-30 Newcastle Theatre Royal T: (0844) 8112 121 www.theatreroyal.co.uk Motorhead January 23 Newcastle City Hall T: (0191) 277 8030 www.newcastlecityhall.org Thriller Live January 25-30 Sunderland Empire T: (0191) 566 1040 www.atgtickets.com/venue/sunderlandempire Land of Our Fathers January 27-30 Live Theatre Newcastle T : (0191) 261 2694 www.live.org.uk/whats-on-book Rebecca Ferguson January 30 Sage Gateshead T: (0191) 443 4661 www.sagegateshead.com Showaddywaddy January 30 Whitley Bay Playhouse T: (0844) 248 1588 www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk Pitmen Poets January 30 Tyne Theatre T: (0844) 2491 000 www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk Paddy McGuinness January 31 Sunderland Empire T: ( 0191) 566 1040 www.atgtickets.com/venue/sunderlandempire

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Howzat for Christmas giving! The festive season got underway with great entertainment and generous giving. Over 600 guests attended the annual Lords Taverners’ Christmas Lunch at Newcastle’s Civic Centre, raising £32,000.00 for the sporting charity. Entertainment came from the former England cricketer, Phil Tufnell, as well as the Sunderland Psychic, Ian D Montfort, and comedian, Paul Boardman. Jamie Graham, Lords Taverners’ regional chair for Northumberland Durham, thanked everyone for their generosity and continued support of the charity, which gives young people a sporting chance.

LEISURE INSIGHT

This botany lesson is well worth learning by Michael Grahamslaw I invited a couple of business chums out for a quick pre-Christmas beer and one of them suggested we meet up at The Botanist, an upmarket pub/wine bar at the top of Grey Street in Newcastle. It’s a unique place that offers cocktails, craft beers and ales, wine and Champagne in a great atmosphere. We settled in just for a quick pint but tarried longer than we should. How come this place had slipped under my radar? Suitably mellow, we looked at a menu which offers dishes “inspired by the deli, rotisserie and BBQ” - and I certainly wouldn’t argue with its claim. From 16 “outside the box” starters including pork crackling with chilli, spring onion and sweet apple sauce; salt and pepper onion petals with sour cream; and sardines served in the tin with toast and hot sauce on the side, to a very interesting looking Botantist Deli Board with over 20 different fillings of Greek favourites, meat, fish and cheese served on flat bread, the choice was overwhelming. We finally opted for spicy parsnip soup with crusty bread (a real warmer on a cold day), a bucket of chicken wings served with a piri piri sauce and calamari with lemon mayonnaise. This “quickie” had gone from a swift pint to a “full Monty” job as we swerved the “Home Comforts” section of the menu which included varied dishes

from the exotic to good old fish, chips and mushy peas and steak and onion pie with mash and onion gravy, to tuck into Christmas dinner with all the trimmings as well as man-sized ribeye steaks served with garlic butter and chilli salt. Both were superbly cooked to order and really hit the spot. Great food, ale and service in an upmarket place - what more could you ask for? We stayed much longer than we should have on a busy business lunchtime but The Botanist is that kind of place. I’m definitely returning with Lisa on an evening especially as I’ve just seen on its website that live music is played every night courtesy of a rotating group of musicians including a young talented duo that sing contempary tunes in harmony while playing the piano and guitar. This unassuming pair play good sing-along music as this is an upmarket social place and very popular with the young, trendy and upwardly mobile Newcastle crowd. It quickly dawned on me that this was an ideal venue for a corporate function and it’s something I will definitely consider with my next Northern Insight client “do”. On returning to the office, I also gleaned from its website that it organises a 90-minute cocktail masterclass which provides a chance to taste and discuss up to eight different cocktails (as if anyone would be sober enough to discuss anything after

eight cocktails?) as well as The Brewmaster Trilogy, an ale-tasting voyage of discovery (now you’re talking) with everything you need to know about the difference between maize and barley beer and perfect for improving your knowledge of local and world famous beers. All you need to do is gather together a minimum of six friends to taste and discuss up to eight different beers and ales of your choice over a 90 minute session. I really cannot think which of my clients would be up for that – yeah, right! Sounds like a plan to me! As you can tell, I am well impressed with The Botanist and can highly recommend its seductive delights. My clients and I all agreed that we could have stayed all day and it is now pencilled in as one of my favourite venues in which to relax, enjoy great food in the company of good friends and family.

Find out more on its very creative website by logging onto www.thebotanist.co.uk or do as we did and pop in for a lunchtime quickie but beware that you may end up staying for a couple of hours. Open from 12 noon to 1.30am, the Botanist is situated at 41-43 Monument Mall, Newcastle. SatNav (NE1 7AL) or phone 0191 261 6307.

20 years of the Metro Radio Arena Metro Radio Arena welcomed guests to the celebration of their 20th anniversary on Saturday 28th November. Guests enjoyed drinks and a magic show by Chris Cross, before taking their seats to watch the hilarious Michael McIntyre. Metro Radio Arena first opened its doors in November 1995 and has since saw over 12 million people enjoy events as the North East's largest entertainment venue.

Landmark Newcastle hotel embarks on exciting new phase Mercure Newcastle County Hotel, formally known as Thistle Newcastle County Hotel, on the 11th December embarked upon an exciting new phase in its development as it has become part of the internationally renowned Mercure brand. Anna Wadcock, General Manager of the hotel & Janine Nottage Sales Manager hosted an informal drinks evening inviting in the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RendezVous bar for local clients and contacts to give them more information about the exciting transition, plans for the property and benefits of being part of Accor. Located directly opposite Newcastle Central Station, the Grade II listed Victorian hotel first opened in 1874 and is one of the oldest hotels in the city. Now under management contract with the Accor Hotels group, the hotel will undergo a multi-million pound investment programme in 2016.

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LEISURE NEWS

Bonbar sets the bar at Benevolent Awards

Rooms and Bonbar, said: “We’re thrilled that Johny was named Best Mixologist – he’s a fantastic asset to the team and always brings creativity and skill to our cocktail selection so it’s a truly deserving win. “One of our aims is to establish our offering beyond a popular bar and late night venue, and firmly put our food on the map. We have some talented chefs on board and have completely revamped our dining menu so we were really pleased to be recognised in the Best Food Bar category. We’re confident we can take it to the next level in 2016 for the top spot!” The awards’ nominations for each category were based on an initial public voting process to select the top six candidates who then battled it out to be presented as the winner on the night. Licensed Trade International was set up in 2012 by its founder Anthony Molloy. Its objective was to connect people in the North East’s licensed trade sector, such that it could facilitate sustainable growth and jobs.

The elite of Newcastle’s hospitality scene descended on The Assembly Rooms last week for the Benevolent Awards – an annual head-to-head of the industry’s best held by Licensed Trade International. The celebrations saw Britain’s Got Talent finalists ‘The Bar Wizards’ perform before the winners were announced to a crowd of almost 300 bar and restaurant professionals from the North East. Bonbar, which sits within the iconic host venue, was shortlisted for a total of four awards including Best Bar of the Year, Best Food Bar and Best Late Night Venue. The crown for North East Mixologist of the Year went to Bonbar’s very own head bartender Johny Hume, well-known on the bar scene in the city. The team also walked away with second place for Best Food Bar and third place for the overall Best Bar title. Antony Michaelides, owner and Managing Director of The Assembly

Eat your suite at St. James’ Park The Eat Your Suite deal means that clients, who book the venue’s suites at a full day room hire rate of £450, will receive the same amount to spend on food and beverages. “We’ve had a fantastic year and thought, what better way to get 2016 off to a cracking start than by giving our corporate guests one of our best offers ever,” said Samantha Doyle, area sales manager for Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events at St James’ Park. Not only were they named Operations Team of the Year at The Stadium Events and Hospitality Awards 2015, but they also scooped gold in the Access for All Categories at the prestigious North East Tourism Awards 2015.

One of the UK’s most famous sports grounds is celebrating 2015 award success by offering corporate clients a special 2016 offer. Businesses which hire a room, suite or executive box for their corporate event at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park stadium, between January and March, are being given the opportunity to Eat their Suite, in a food and drink bonanza. The award-winning Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events team, which manages catering and events at the stadium, has promised to give event bookers free food and drink to the same value as their room hire rate.

26 Goldspink Lane | Sandyford | NE2 1NR, UK | t: 0191 232 5888

LEISURE NEWS

Final stages of luxury spa open

Return to the wild

The North East’s newest and most luxurious spa has now unveiled the final stages of the development.

A North East castle is giving foodies the chance to forage for ingredients in its historic grounds.

The £8m Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel near Durham opened in August but has launched two further features. An outdoor Spa Garden and vitality pool, along with a first floor infinity pool, are now being used by guests.

The ancient woodland surrounding 600-yearold Lumley Castle hotel is home to a wide variety of wild ingredients, from garlic and herbs to edible roots and berries.

The vitality pool can be enjoyed by guests and members, with the infinity pool available at an additional cost for special occasions or for small groups. The new additions complement the existing spa facilities, which include a 25m long swimming pool, one of the country’s largest hydrotherapy pools, a thermal suite, sleep sanctuary, 14 treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, hairdressers and Asian Fusion restaurant. The opening of the new pools comes shortly after the spa was awarded a five bubble rating by the Good Spa Guide, winning the top accolade. “We’re very excited that we are now able to offer our visitors and members even more facilities,” said Jill Russell, Spa Director. “We’ve also devised some very special packages for the festive season and into the New Year which we hope will appeal to both men and women of all ages.”

And now the four star hotel, at Chester-leStreet, has joined forces with foraging experts to give nature lovers the chance to learn more about ‘wild food’, at a series of special events in 2016. On selected dates throughout the year, the hotel will be giving groups of around 20 visitors the chance to explore its nine acres of woodland in the company of bush craft and survival expert Bruce Ferguson, of Wild North Discovery. Not only will he teach them to seek out and identify wild ingredients during a one and a half hour walk, but chefs from the hotel’s renowned Black Knight restaurant will then serve lunch, incorporating the foraged food. Between courses, Bruce, who has been foraging for wild food for more than 30 years and recently took actor and presenter Robson Green foraging for an upcoming episode of ‘Tales from Northumberland’, will give a talk about safe, legal and sustainable foraging.

Newcastle pub wins National Best Pint Award A landmark North East bar, which was restored to its former glory last year, is raising a glass to celebrate being voted the “Pub with the Best Pint.” The City Tavern at Northumberland Road beat off competition from more than 1000 pubs across the UK to take the honour in the Star Pubs & Bars awards, organised by Heineken. The pub is run by North East entrepreneur David King, who has a long history of working in the industry and was behind some of the region’s most innovative watering holes. The City Tavern, widely recognised for its Tudor style façade, was taken over by Mr King early in 2014 and then enjoyed a £450k refurbishment to create a state-of-the-art bar, while still retaining the venue’s historic features. And it was Mr King’s commitment to producing the perfect pint which led to him winning the fiercely contested award. Judges were also impressed with the fact the bar offered 10 cask ales and ciders and also offered three house ales, which were brewed exclusively for The City Tavern. “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award, which is acknowledgement of the commitment we have to pulling the perfect pint every time,” said David.

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EXCLUSIVE CHRISTMAS PARTY 2015 Foxx UK - the evening’s entertainment!

Exclusive members met at The Glass House Newcastle, for a black tie Christmas party. Mingling over the Champagne reception, key business figures from across the North East enjoyed live music from Shona Mari Crossan, close magic by Andy Larmouth, enjoying supper by Epicurus and dancing into the early hours to local band Foxx UK. With a great party atmosphere the evening set the bar high for Exclusive events in 2016.

Christine & Dermot Hamblin

Jane & Bill Locke, with John & Jill Atkinson

Michael Owen, Rob Earnshaw, & Richard Moller

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The ‘Kings & Queens’ Game

David Fearnley-Brown & Linda Hitman

LEISURE INSIGHT

Exciting addition to the Holiday Inn Washington

We are delighted to announce that Mariusz Urbanczyk is the new Head Chef at the Holiday Inn Washington. He was born in Poland in 1986 in Tychy, a town renowned as home to the oldest brewery in Europe and this is where Mariusz started his career as a Chef. Whilst at college he worked for the Noma Residence Hotel which has obtained a 5 Star rating. The Hotel itself is an old hunting castle and to go along with atmosphere and theme the menu specialised in dishes such as pheasant, deer and wild boar. Due to the status of this hotel Maruisz had the pleasure of cooking dishes to many celebrities including Pavarotti. After obtaining his qualification from the Academy in Tychy, Mariusz travelled to the UK to further his catering career. Here he was able to join a Polish chef’s agency which helped him find work in numerous restaurants in London and across the country until he finally landed here in Newcastle. To add to his exciting career Maruisz was given the amazing opportunity to enter a competition

in the Tyrell Alps, Italy. The competition consisted of cooking traditional dishes from Poland against the Italian chef’s cooking their own national dishes. These dishes were then tasted and judged by numerous Polish celebrities. Since joining the Holiday Inn Washington Maruisz has proposed many exciting ideas and visions which he is looking forward to introducing. His aim is to re-build the kitchen team through the development of new young and ambitious chefs, with his exciting career sure to motivate any young apprentice to the trade. As well as development Mariusz wishes to add rustic food to the Holiday Inn Washington menu taking the experience he has from the Noma Residence Hotel and introducing it into the hotel menu offerings to enhance the variety of flavours and food on offer. With Maruisz on board and the vision he has The Holiday Inn Washington is sure to be noticed in coming months – and well worth a visit whether for a relaxing meal, seasonal event or special occasion.

Holiday Inn Washington, Emerson Road, Washington NE37 1LB e:events@hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk www: hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk

Let us help with those winter blues and make you a very special offer available in January and February. Our new Chef Mariusz has created very tempting menus for both lunch and dinner, which are also pleasing to the pocket. 3 course choice Lunch menu for the amazing price of ÂŁ5

to Start Soup of the Day

Mini Indian Selection

Deep Fried Potato Skins

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Tortilla Calzone

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to Finish Sugary Cinnamon Twists

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Lunch menu available Monday through until Saturday (not available Sunday) in Traders Restaurant. Pre Booking with full non refundable payment is essential. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. New bookings only. Please call the Sales office on 0191 418 9482 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; quote BI16 events@hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk www.hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk

Holiday Inn Washington Emerson, Washington NE37 1LB

EDUCATION INSIGHT

From the Headmaster’s Study Dr.Bernard Trafford, Headteacher at Royal Grammar School in Jesmond What was your background prior to joining RGS? My wife and I enjoyed 27 years in the Midlands where I taught at Wolverhampton Grammar School, including 18 years as Head. We already loved the North East, having holidayed in Northumberland on many occasions so when the opportunity arose we decided it was time for a move and have never looked back. Newcastle is a fantastic vibrant City and a wonderful place to work and live.

What have been your major achievements at the school? Difficult to single out one but I just think generally we have moved the school on with continued development including most recently a fantastic new sports centre including swimming pool, additional sports hall and fitness suite. We are now fully and undeniably co-educational with just a fraction under 40% of our pupils girls. The quality of pastoral care is outstanding and we spend a lot of time getting that crucial aspect right.

What positive changes have you seen in education generally and what further things would you like to see going forward? There is a real emphasis on excellence nationally which is fantastic and the craft and science of teaching are improving all the time. However we are over-regulated and the Government must start trusting us.

How much importance do you place on extra curricular activities? A huge amount. Whilst we are an academic powerhouse we are not an academic hothouse, there is a difference. Cultural or sporting activities make pupils more rounded individuals and that is paramount. They teach resilience, too!

Over the past 12-18 months what major student achievements have there been? Genuinely too many to list!! I suppose if I had to single one out it would be our 2 pupils who won gold medals at the Under 19 World Acrobatic Gymnastics.

What levels of success does RGS have in the area of university enrolment? 100%...with a steady number going to Oxford or Cambridge and many to Durham or St.Andrews, both fantastic Universities in their own right. The most popular sectors they go into are, in order, engineering, medicine, chemistry and economics.

What are your plans for 2016 and beyond?

“

It may sound very simplistic but just a constant improvement ethos. Pupils need to be inspired and challenged and we also want them to have a great deal of fun. We have a fantastic close knit team running the school, and an amazingly dedicated staff. Our next major development will begin soon which will see a centre housing everything from engineering/ technology to fine art.

“

Michael Grahamslaw meets

There is never a dull moment

Royal Grammar School

Tel 0191 2128968

www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

LEISURE INSIGHT

Another Northumberland Gem After hearing and reading about some great reviews about Horton Grange Country House Hotel in Ponteland, I thought it was high time that I reviewed it for Northern Insight readers. With son Jack in tow, we checked into this privately-owned Grade-II listed historic country house hotel for an overnight stay. Despite having just 9 bedrooms, it is very imposing and oozes charm and class. All nine traditional bedrooms are extremely well furnished with quality period furniture giving it very relaxed, comfortable feel whilst still retaining its up market country house appeal. That said, all bedrooms come with modern flat screen TVs, writing desks and the obligatory free wi-fi. We checked in on a wet and windy day, warmed ourselves in front of a log fire in its stately guest lounge before checking in to our bedrooms. After a shower we retired to the lounge for a livener before dinner. We dined in its light and airy restaurant where its new Festive menu had just been introduced. I had previously read the glowing Journal restaurant

by Michael Grahamslaw

review and look forward with anticipation to our meal. Jack kicked off with smoked salmon roulade followed by the strip loin of beef. After deliberation over a well thought through and enticing menu, I eventually swerved the more exotic items for the more hearty fare and chose parsnip and chestnut soup followed by roast turkey with all the trimmings - well, after all, it is Christmas. We shared a selection of Farmhouse Cheeses including Mordon Blue, Northumberland oak smoked, Durham camembert and Elsdon goats cheese to round off an extemporary meal. Serving contemporary British cuisine seven nights a week, I can fully understand why Horton Grange Country House Hotel restaurant is so popular with guests and non-residents alike. Many hotels talk the talk about being continually committed to using only sustainable and welfare friendly ingredients but this hotel also walks the walk by no longer using foie gras in any of its dishes. Good for them. Formal afternoon tea is also very popular occurrence with non-residents because, as with everything at Horton Grange Country House Hotel, it is done properly. In its country estate setting, this is a great

venue for wedding or other significant private function as it has a “wow” factor and is certainly impressive. Our area is blessed with classy and unique hotels and Horton Grange Country House Hotel is one that would grace and compete with the best in the country but it needs our support to thrive. This high-end hotel is only 5.7 miles from Newcastle Airport but because of its size, it is probably overlooked by business travellers in favour of the bigger formula type hotels. It is there loss. They don’t know what they are missing. The saying goes that big is beautiful but, if done properly, small can be too. For one thing, the service to customer ratio is also greatly enhanced and this was very evident during dinner where charming and very efficient Moroccan gentlemen called Mo, the hotel’s Deputy General Manager, danced attention upon us throughout our meal. Horton Grange Country House Hotel is only minutes away from Newcastle but it seems country miles away in tranquillity terms and on this experience, I can thoroughly recommend it. Its website www.hortongrange.co.uk will give you a flavour of what to expect and is a great place to start to check out facilities and menus etc.

Horton Grange Country House Hotel can be found at Berwick Hill, Ponteland, Newcastle (SatNav: NE13 6BU) or Tel: 01661 860686 Our next Elite Wedding Open Day is on Saturday 9th January, 2016 1-4pm.

LEISURE INSIGHT

That’s the wonder of Willi’s at Christmas time! by Michael Grahamslaw Rod Davies, who previously ran Café 95 in Gosforth, opened a new venue called Willi’s Café and Coffee shop some eight months ago and has been receiving some big “thumbs-up” on-line.

It’s a great place to meet friends/business colleagues for lunch or just a coffee, which comes on a free refills basis.

I’ve known Rod for some considerable time as he was based just around the corner from my Based on the lively Clayton Road in Jesmond, old office in Gosforth. He’s a great guy and for it is a hugely popular venue with the business many years was the first person I spoke to every fraternity, students and families alike. Willi's not morning when I popped in for an early latte. Under new ownership only provides great coffee – and free wi-fi, but His new venture is receiving rave reviews on also boasts an all-day 'best breakfast in the world' TripAdvisor etc. and it deserves our support. and recently refurbished as well as light lunches and snacks including According to some reviews it has friendly soups, salads, pasta, freshly made sandwiches to staff, good food and is a great place for a catch order, patisseries, savouries and cakes. up. Others single out the breakfast menu as being All day breakfast And for those on the run, like me, all food and particularly good value. menu An avocado on sour dough drink is available to take-out. Its Paleo seasonal banana toast was also highlighted by available another satisfied and low gluten options and cardamom loaf topped with orange glaze, diner whilst an amazing toffee and banana muffin Direct tradefloated artisan leafwellpecans, almonds and sunflower seeds is to die for. the boatcoffee, of another. loose Unpretentious, cooked family fare in unpretentious I popped in for a quick bite on my way home teas and homemade cakes surroundings. from a successful business meeting and although mindful of a hot meal waiting for me, I had mulled Daily meal menu wine and a mince pie as it was Christmas. Sorry Lisa but it would have been rude not to. You’ve got it spot on Rod!

Willis

Willi’s Café and Coffee ShopClayton is based at 23-25 Clayton Rd, Newcastle (SatNav: NE2 1JP) T: 0191 281 8123 23-25 Road, Jesmond,

Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1JP Tel : 0191 2818123

TRAVEL INSIGHT

Aviation Minister officially opens Newcastle International Airport Departure Lounge Redevelopment Robert Goodwill MP, Minister of State for Transport, has recently opened Newcastle International Airport’s new departure lounge redevelopment. Designed to provide a more straightforward journey for customers with a modern and vibrant feel, the £14million development has seen the entire departure lounge transformed in 2015 with a range of new shops, cafes, restaurants and bar areas. Highlights include a new walk-through World Duty Free store and new food and beverage outlets; The Cabin, Bar11 and Caffe Ritazza. The Xpress Podshop, a self-service shopping outlet has been added, while existing brands WHSmith, Boots, Travelex, Accessorize and Traveller have moved into new stores. The unveiling coincided with the launch of the ‘Discover the World from Your Airport’ campaign, a new brand initiative on the website, www.newcastleairport.com/discover, showcasing the full range of destinations accessible from Newcastle. The new section of the website will include destination guides, a destination search page and an improved destination map. Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill, who also viewed the Airport’s winter resilience operation plans during his visit, said: “Newcastle Airport is a shining example of how our regional airports lead the way with their service and range of destinations. “The new departure lounge underlines Newcastle Airport’s importance as an engine of growth for the North East and the Northern Powerhouse. We are committed to supporting regional airports in their ambitions, with £20m funding for new domestic and international routes across the UK. “I’ve also had the chance to meet some of the winter resilience crews here and applaud their work in ensuring this important link is fully prepared for the coming months.” David Laws, Chief Executive at Newcastle International Airport, said: “I am delighted the Minister has officially opened our new departure lounge. “Our passengers’ journeys, whether business or pleasure, begin right here at the airport and it’s vital we give them the best possible experience. We have listened to their feedback and are confident the new development allows for a more informed choice on where to shop, eat, drink or simply relax before catching a flight. Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, and Lead for the LA7 Shareholders, said: “This new development highlights Newcastle International’s role as a major regional airport and a key economic generator for our region. “There is plenty on offer for the modern traveller and I am sure people from across the North East and beyond will enjoy these excellent facilities as they fly off, whether it is for business or pleasure.”

NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LTD. Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 8BZ

(L-R) Graeme Mason, Planning & Corporate Affairs Director at Newcastle International Airport, Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, and Lead for the LA7 Shareholders, Robert Goodwill MP, Minister of State for Transport

(L-R) Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council, and Lead for the LA7 Shareholders, Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, Robert Goodwill MP, Minister of State for Transport, David Laws, Chief Executive at Newcastle International Airport.

TRAVEL INSIGHT

Getting our Kicks on Route 66 by Travel Writer, Ken Spearen

I’m not mad about organised trips as I hate being over-managed and prefer to do my own thing. The only exception to this was an earlier tour of the west coast of the USA with Travelsphere. Its 14-day “Best of the West” tour itinerary included flights from Heathrow and 12-nights accommodation staying in quality brand hotels such as Hilton, Marriot and Holiday Inn. All overseas transfers and transportation were included. This year, it is on offer from March 2016 to June 2017 at a price of just £1,699 per person but I’ve noticed that some venues and accommodation have changed since my trip. But it is all good as it is part of the company’s customer experience improvement programme. An upgraded package with FREE interconnecting flights from Newcastle to London is also available if booked by Feb 17, 2016. On arrival in Los Angeles, a most welcome overnight stay at The Courtyard by Marriott in Sherman Oaks allowed us to relax after the flight and get acclimatised to the time zone change. Following breakfast the next day, we took an enthralling tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The tour included a visit to the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with its celebrity handprints, footprints and autographs etched into its concrete forecourt (great photo opportunities), as well as a star-spotting tour of the mansions in Beverly Hills to see how the other half live. In the afternoon, we chose an optional tour of Universal Studios and were shown the spooky Bates Motel “Psycho” house as well as a heartstopping visit from Jaws that “threatened” to capsize our boat on the lake! A hugely enjoyable day and well worth a visit.

After two enthralling days, we headed to the Spanish-influenced seaport of San Diego for a two-night stay at the Marriott in the Gaslamp District. After a morning tour, we chose to spend the rest of the day exploring at our own pace. Our journey followed in the footsteps of the song made famous by the Rolling Stones as we crossed the state line at Yuma into Arizona before continuing to the ‘Valley of the Sun’ and Scottsdale, a fashionable resort on the outskirts of Phoenix. Here we dined manfully at Rustler’s Rooste, a traditional western steakhouse offering steaks from an 8oz fillet minion to a challenging 32oz. porterhouse. For obvious reasons, we skipped breakfast the next morning and were driven into northern Arizona, where our first stop was the trendy artists’ township of Sedona before continuing on to the former Wild West town of Flagstaff for a two night stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel. The next day was full of wonder and awe as we visited the majestic Grand Canyon - a natural wonder of the world. I was reliably informed that this spectacular 14-mile wide canyon is even more stunning from the air and an optional scenic flight through it is available for the thrill seekers. We passed on this but whichever way you choose to view this vast, jaw-dropping marvel, you won’t be disappointed. On departing Flagstaff, we continued westwards along the iconic Route 66 highway to Las Vegas for a two-night stay. En-route we passed the breath-taking Hoover Dam, a true marvel of 20th century engineering that appears to defy gravity. This tour just kept on getting better and better. On arrival in Las Vegas, we checked into New York, New York (apparently a hotel so good they

Check it out for yourself on www.travelsphere.co.uk

named it twice) and took part in a free casino lesson which explained how I could lose my money – but not why. My wife, a non-gambler, instantly got hooked on the slots and couldn’t pass one by - but it’s just that kind of place. In the evening, we took the “Las Vegas by Night” tour and enjoyed the amazing laser light show on Fremont Street as well as the other delights of this spectacular desert city. By day, we took a visit to the “Strip” which we rather foolishly attempted on foot. Be aware, the distances between lavish hotels and casinos are further apart than they look from a lofty hotel bedroom window. Take the inter-hotel trolley unless you are super fit. In the morning, we followed the route of the early American settlers as we drove through the arid Mojave Desert before crossing back into California for an overnight stay in Swan Court Holiday Inn. Suitably refreshed, we continued our journey to the craggy Yosemite National Park with its waterfalls, lakes and mountain peaks. Following lunch in the Park, we travelled on to San Francisco for a two-night stay at Radisson Fisherman's Wharf Hotel. This hotel is surrounded by excellent restaurants and bustling coffee shops with surprises at every turn which included bumping into an actor sat on a pier bench in a very realistic “Forrest Gump” mode. Great stuff, and very entertaining. Pier 39 was outstanding and a must-try restaurant. Without doubt, this had been an adventure of a lifetime at a bargain price. Although organised, it never felt intrusive as lots of time was given to explore at our own pace. Travel is by a very comfortable airconditioned luxury coach complete with TV etc. whilst all the hand-picked hotels have every modcon you would expect.

Newcastle United Golf Club Christmas sponsors day Newcastle United Golf Club hosted a special Christmas themed golf day for their Sponsors on Tuesday 8th December. Guests were met with unseasonably fine weather and even had to remove their Christmas jumpers due to the mild forecast. Players including, CPS Electrical, Newcastle United Football Club and ITPS to name a few enjoyed a festive turkey, chips and gravy dinner followed by traditional Christmas pud for desert. Even wooden spoon winners Northern Insight werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t downhearted and enjoyed the festive event.

LEISURE INSIGHT

On the Tee Box - At Hexham Golf Club Location

Toughest Hole

Contact

Hexham Golf Club, Spital Park, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3RZ

According to our Pro 3rd Beeches Corner 403 yard par 4 It starts with a very tough drive. Ideally this should be shaped right to left around the dogleg. Having negotiated the drive you are then faced with an uphill second shot, usually into the prevailing wind. The green itself is fast and slopes towards the bunker. A bogey on this hole is never a disaster.

Club Manager 01434 603072 #1 Pros Shop 01434 603072 #2 Course Conditions 01434 608077

Setting Hexham Golf Club is located in the beautiful County of Northumberland and is set within acres of fabulous countryside overlooking the River Tyne in the market town of Hexham.

Length of Course White tees 6294 yds. Yellow 6000 yds. Red 5737 yds.

Course Type A beautiful parkland course set in the heart of the Tyne Valley founded in 1892. The golf club offers stunning and memorable rounds of golf to members and visitors alike.

Signature Hole 18th Spital Home, 344 yard par 4. Don’t let the spectacular tee position and views over Tynedale cloud your focus! The closing hole at Hexham presents a very tough tee shot with out of bounds all the way down the left hand side and trees all the way down to the right.

Prices Contact the Pros Shop for Daily offers Winter warmers on offer until end of March 2016 from £15.

Memberships Facilities 18 hole golf course, Pros shop, putting green, practice nets, buggy hire, restaurant and bar. There is also a squash club on site.

Longest Drive

We welcome new members and have thriving Reivers, Ladies, Junior & Mixed Sections. Tasters and trial memberships available – 4 months instead of 3 for £125 if booked in December. Currently no joining fee and monthly payment plans available.

1st Abbey View 498 yard par 5 One of the best opening holes in the County, this is a real risk and reward hole. Longer hitters can risk a drive to the top of the hill, opening up a shot to the green - but beware of the out of bounds left. For most players, the perfect line is the right centre of the fairway, making for an easier second shot – anything left will be blocked out by the trees. A good second shot layup will leave you a medium/high iron shot into a well-protected green.

Email: Info@hexhamgolf.co.uk Book online at www.hexhamgolf.co.uk Follow us and latest news on twitter @hexhamgolfclub

LEISURE INSIGHT

St James’ Park - A top corporate venue to watch the beautiful game by Michael Grahamslaw

Last year saw the successful launch of a completely new concept for St James’ Park with the opening of the Park Grill, a high-quality corporate restaurant dining experience in modern and contemporary surroundings. It has been an enormous success for all involved with the club both on and off the pitch.

Situated on level 6 of the Leazes Stand and accessed by its own direct lift, it offers bespoke restaurant-style dining in convivial surroundings. The Park Grill opens earlier than all other hospitality areas and boasts its own exclusive menu that is not available anywhere else in the Stadium. Once your meal is finished you can enjoy all of the pre-match build up from central seats behind the goal, before enjoying post-match refreshments back in the comfort of this Suite. I was fortunate enough to be invited to dine there for the recent home match against Liverpool and shared an amazing experience both on and off the pitch. Following a spot of pre -match punditry from ex-Toon centre back Darren Peacock, who seemed a really good bloke, we tucked into our meal accompanied by several gallons of the black stuff.

I am even looking at taking a table for four people to entertain guests at in the New Year. After all, I am obviously the team’s new lucky mascot! Seasonal package benefits include on-site car parking (one space per four places booked); pre and post-match analysis with a sports compere and a former Newcastle United player; account bar facilities; attendance at all Premier League and domestic cup home games; an opportunity to purchase additional hospitality at preferential rates (subject to availability); matchday programmes and team sheets; licensed betting facilities; entry into a matchday competition;

exclusive corporate gifts; Newcastle United corporate membership and last but not least, an opportunity to attend exclusive Newcastle United events. Now that’s what I call an allencompassing package. What else could you possibly need or want at a football match. The only way is up for me and in the immortal words of the late, great Sir Bobby Robson, “Newcastle United is a truly great club, it grows on you and you just can’t help being enveloped by the noise, the passion and the excitement. It takes over your whole life and I wouldn’t have swapped my time there for anything.” Enough said!

Our meal consisted of a salad bar starter followed by a lengthy choice of main course dishes. A full array of mouthwatering desserts are also available. Meals are ordered on arrival, allowing diners to sit back and watch executive chefs prepare meals in the restaurant’s open kitchen grill. The next 90 minutes were simply magic. What a game and what a result! Why can’t we play like that every week? I am now on a mission to see every match from the Park Grill as on the two occasions I have dined there, the Lads have won both times. The Park Grill experience package was so good,

For more information on a corporate package or just to book a table in the Park Grill call 0191 201 8444/8530 or email hospitality@nufc.co.uk. Better still, log onto the club’s official website on www.nufc.co.uk/page/Hospitality/Home for full details.

LEISURE INSIGHT

Dynamic Duo get their Mojo working Tyneside business duo, Steve Wraith and Stuart Wheatman, have finally got their mojo a-risin’ throughout 2015 and set themselves up, not only as authors in their own rights, but as book publishers with Mojo Risin’ Publishing.

Theirs is a friendship which goes back nearly two decades and, combined, have written some fifteen books. Irrespective of genre – crime, sport, music, you name it, the pair have found a way of writing something on the subject. Having combined their respective writing talents back in 2000 when Newcastle publishers, Zymurgy, published Steve Wraith’s ‘The Geordie Connection,’ which portrayed his life, on the main, with the notorious Kray Twins, Reg and Ron. Since then the duo has gone from strengthto-strength and, continuing to write aplenty, are already putting the wheels in motion for a productive and, ultimately successful, 2016. What has gone before should therefore not be discounted as what has been written goes a long way towards what there is now. Steve has written, in the past two years alone, ‘NME: From the Bender Squad to the Gremlins,’ and two further Krays books in ‘The Krays: From the Cradle to the Grave’ and ‘The Krays: Behind Bars.’ Stuart meanwhile has a mixed repertoire of written work which includes ‘The King of Clubs,’ ‘The Jam Unseen,’ and ‘The Cage Fighter.’ Mojo Risin’ meanwhile has, towards the end of this year alone, released two bestsellers in ‘The Sayers: Tried and Tested at the Highest Level’ and ‘Pavel is a Geordie’ which, for all intent and purposes, has provided the perfect platform in which to move forward with. For both writers this continues to be a labour of love which transcends the norm. Stuart said: “I met Steve while working on Cage Fighter (2009) and he asked if I’d help him with a book about the Krays. I’ve always been interested in unusual stories and finding an angle and audience for them. We got talking and the rest fell into place from there. I knew we’d end up doing more work together, whatever direction we headed individually, we just can’t seem to get

away from each other.” The combination of the two literary minds though has been a match made in heaven and both the friendship and working relationship has developed exponentially. Similar interests have been the key to unlocking the future of Mojo Risin’ and is something the pair have ran with. Combining initially in 2013 to produce, alongside Mark Menim, the NME book about Newcastle’s football hooliganism culture, began their ride for controversial literary publication, culminating in the release of the recent Sayers book. “I had two north-east true crime ideas after we finished that first one together; a Newcastle hooligan book and one about the Sayers family. We talked about them on and off for years until Steve had a breakthrough with Mark, an ex-hooligan, as well as with Stephen. We got approval on both projects to research and write and turned them around quite quickly,” Stuart added. As for Mojo Risin’ itself, well it takes its name from ‘Mr Mojo Risin’ an anagram and alter ego of Jim Morrison. Wheatman and Wraith are both fans of The Doors, so it made sense to reference him and his personality in a company that isn’t afraid of courting controversy. Now, with both the Sayers and Pav books flying off the shelves, regionally and nationally, Wraith and Wheatman are settling in for what they know will be as equally a successful, second year in the publishing game.

For more information on Mojo Risin’ Publishing and the work they do please email mojorisinpublishing@gmail.com or call Stuart Wheatman on 07764308374.

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