Northern Insight - June 2016

NORTHERN

INSIGHT JUNE 2016

Who controls your data?

The North East’s leading ICT expert takes a look at data sovereignty issues

business property media technology motors arts leisure issue 12

THE POWER OF

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CONNECT SUPPORT PROMOTE

Asian Business Connexions (ABC) Power of 3 - Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony On Thursday 14th July 2016 we are hosting the ABC Annual Dinner at The Beacon, Westgate Road,Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 9PN. Our guest speakers for the evening include Minister for the Northern Powerhouse James Wharton MP, Deputy Commander of the Army North Col Mike Butterwick and President of Yorkshire Asian Business Association (YABA) Ajaz Ahmad the founder of Freeserve. All joined by leaders of Asian Business Associations from across the North West, Yorkshire and North East.

For the past seven years ABC has helped connect, support and promote a wide range of individuals and organisations. Our successes include delivering a broad series of training programmes that help businesses and individuals grow. Working with various institutes, we have delivered employability programmes, education initiatives, community activities and a whole lot more, all in an effort to improve life choices and enhance life chances of all our people within the North East.

To help us celebrate our 7th Anniversary we would be delighted if you would consider joining us.

The event will be filled with fun and celebration with a whole host of entertainment. Alongside the dinner there will be five awards presented to Asian businesses and individuals for their significant and sustained contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of the North East, together with a raffle in aid of the Percy Hedley Foundation.

On the evening Asian business organisations from the North West, Yorkshire and North East will come together to launch the Federation of Asian Business. A true collaboration of link minded visionaries to help support and promote the Northern Powerhouse.

We do hope that you will consider joining us to enjoy an evening of business and cultural diversity that is typical of the wonderful region we are all part of. Tickets are only ÂŁ60 each or ÂŁ550 for tables of 10 and include a 5 course authentic Punjabi meal. All organisations or individuals taking a table will be included within promotional material.

To reserve your space email events@abconnexions.org or call 0844 2477705

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on the 14th July.

Dr Andy Stafford

Dr Darren Cannell

2 – Accent Dr Andrew Gemmell

Dr Mat Simms

Dr Graham Thompson

Dr Matt Garnett

Dr Neal Heaher

Accent – 3

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

NORTHERN INSIGHT

foreword Welcome to the June edition of Northern Insight.

It’s hard to believe we are almost halfway through 2016 and what a tremendously exciting year it has been for the magazine so far.

Our front cover this month features data centre and cloud experts ITPS, a fantastic company and a true North East success story.

We also have a great new feature entitled “The Fighter and the Writer” in which local media veteran John Gibson reviews some of the North East’s culinary hotspots with the region’s first World Boxing Champion, Glenn McCrory.

Our photographers have been busy recently and we feature some of the past months best corporate events. The above added to the usual heady cocktail of Business, Property, Media, Technology, Motors, Arts and Leisure gives the perfect ingredients for another rip roaring edition.

Thank you all for your continued support. Till next month...

Michael Grahamslaw, Publisher

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contents june ‘16 Business News - 8-9 Cover Story - 14-15 ITPS - data centre & cloud experts

Recent Appointments - 25 Entrepreneurs Interview - 32-33 Jonathan Gold - Rivers Capital

Fashion - 36-37 Media News - 73 Technology News - 82 Arts News - 92-93 Travel - 94-95 Leisure News - 98-99

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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, Deborah Johnson, John Gibson, Alastair Stewart, Alex Nelson

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@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.

© 2015 Published by MJG Publishing Ltd

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BUSINESS NEWS

Collingwood Legal shortlisted for top national title Newcastle-based employment law specialists Collingwood Legal have become the only law firm with a North East headquarters to be shortlisted in the prestigious The Lawyer Magazine Awards.

The practice is in the running to scoop the title of Boutique Firm of the Year in the awards, which are now in their 22nd year and recognise legal excellence across the UK. Collingwood Legal, which was established in 2010, made the shortlist following a successful 2015 in which they increased their turnover by more than 50 per cent, rose up the ranks in industry bible The Legal 500 and won many new regional and

national clients across different sectors.

The firm’s founder and Principal Solicitor, Paul McGowan, said: “I set up Collingwood Legal as a modern specialist law firm with a clear vision to be recognised as the leader in the field of employment law in the North East and beyond.

“To be shortlisted for a well-recognised national award is something we’re very proud of. The award is based on criteria that includes our strategic vision and leadership, and our financial management, growth, talent management, innovation and client service delivery.”

Collingwood Legal advises a diverse range of public

and private sector clients on their employment and HR needs, including Sage Gateshead and a raft of other clients in the health and education sectors.

The Boutique Firm of the Year Award recognises outstanding specialist legal practices that have achieved success in their individual sectors, and the breadth and depth of expertise they provide to clients.

Collingwood Legal will be flying the flag for the North East at The Lawyer Magazine Awards final on June 29, at the O2 InterContinental Hotel in London. Further information can be found at www.collingwoodlegal.com.

Down Syndrome campaigner sparks change in eye support A Durham Optometrist’s campaigning work for children with Down syndrome, which was backed by MP Roberta Blackman-Woods and several national charities, has resulted in a change in NHS regulations to give parents across the UK wider access to financial help towards buying specially made glasses for their children.

Family Optometrist Simon Berry specialises in children’s eye care and as well as running his own practice, Simon Berry Optometrist in Gilesgate, works at Sunderland Eye Infirmary as a specialist

Optometrist. His two-year campaign to change the rules on funding saw an online petition attract over 600 signatures.

Prior to the campaign, the Special Facial Characteristics Voucher which offered extra financial support was only available via hospital eye services rather than local opticians. Many children found the regular hospital visits distressing, and parents were frustrated by the lack of frame choices for their children.

Around 700 babies are born with the condition each year in England and Wales. But now, thanks

to Simon’s efforts, from April this year the rules on the funding were changed and all children can now access this voucher regardless of whether they go through a hospital or their local optician.

1996

2016

Be seen in all the right places...

THE MEDIA PLANNING & BUYING SPECIALISTS

www.mikelynchadvertising.co.uk

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BUSINESS NEWS

Newcastle physiologists in great health

College Principle awarded FE Leader of the Year

A pair of Newcastle Physiologists have been selected from almost two hundred of their colleagues from across the country to win two top awards.

The country’s top FE college leader has been announced as Judith Doyle, Principal and Chief Executive of North East based Gateshead College.

Health and Wellbeing Physiologists Gavin Watt and Aidan Innes both work at Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital and have scooped two of just five awards given out nationally each year by Nuffield Health to staff across the organisation’s health and wellbeing centres.

Judges of the TES Awards said that Judith Doyle was a “truly worthy” winner of the FE Leader of the Year award, thanks to her widespread regard amongst college colleagues and the wider North East business and professional community.

From the Eastcoast to Everest

Gavin has been awarded Nuffield Health Physiologist of the Year, which marks the second year in a row he has received a gong, while Aidan has been awarded Nuffield Health Academy Physiologist of the Year, awarded to a Physiologist in their first 12-18 months of employment.

The Times Education Supplement’s FE Awards celebrate those who have had an outstanding influence on post-16 education in the UK. The shortlist for the FE Leader of the Year Award included a further five of the country’s leading principals selected from a total of 379 colleges across the UK.

It’s a case of “Climb every mountain’ or “Aint no mountain high enough” as a musical loving taxi driver from Whitley Bay and his son prepare to scale part of the world’s highest peak.

Stan Hind (60) and his son Glen (25) will be spending most of May trekking in the Himalayas to raise much-needed funds for St Oswald’s Hospice on an expedition to Everest base camp.

Stan who has worked for EastCoast Taxis for 16 years is also a keen member of Whitley Bay Operatic Society and his son Glen has a part time role at Whitley Bay Playhouse and he also was stage manager for the recent production of “Our House.”

Medium construction bolster their ranks

North East BIC launches new telecoms service

Five Star Cyber protection for NE Businesses

John Lee OBE, who spent ten years as Chief Executive of Your Homes Newcastle, and former Gentoo Tolent Director Robin Cairns, have both joined Meldrum Construction.

On Monday 9th May at their headquarters in Sunderland, The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), a regional enterprise agency and business complex, launched BIC Telecom - a new landline, mobile telephone calls and internet service.

A North East training manager is offering local firms the chance to protect their IT systems as he launches a new training programme designed to protect businesses of all shapes and sizes from the real threat of cyber crime.

Mr Lee is now Chairman of Meldrum Construction - which was established in 2001 and employs over 170 people from its headquarters in Dunston - and Mr Cairns has become Director of Development.

The new director appointments were hailed

by Managing Director Dave Meldrum as “a huge coup” for the business.

it www.synergi.it

The BIC has teamed up with Virgin Media to deliver the service, which could see businesses saving up to 30% off their existing telephone bills.

Customers will also receive a fast, efficient and accurate billing service through a bespoke billing platform.

Nick Atkinson of Inteltrain is launching the new Cyber Stars initiative, which has been specially designed and developed by cyber security experts from industry, Government and Defence to address systematic failures in cyber security knowledge.

Digital transformation for modern business.

Call now to attend our free Office 365 & SharePoint event on 23rd June 2016

0191 477 0365

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Shouting louder than your budget will allow.

THE MEDIA PLANNING & BUYING SPECIALISTS

www.mikelynchadvertising.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

SearchBI’s Senior Recruitment Consultant Sandra Paquotte helps start-ups recruit for success

Stand out start-ups Hiring the right people can be a huge challenge for rapidly growing tech start-ups, so how do you spot people who can provide a competitive advantage? SearchBI’s senior recruitment consultant Sandra Paquotte offers some answers.

Tech start-ups, in particular, often bemoan the shortage of talented candidates but the key is to be absolutely clear about the type of person you are looking to recruit. It takes patience and discipline to create the right brief. Here’s some tips to ensure you end up with IT people who are not only marvellous but possess the relevant skills.

What are you overlooking when hiring for the first time?

The biggest challenge for start-ups who are hiring is to find a candidate with the right skills at the right level and avoid opting for the first person that comes along who might fit the bill for the sake of expediency. Don’t structure the job spec around that person’s knowledge and skills; rather step back and define the skills needed to achieve the desired results. Think about your budget too – a start-up may choose to hire someone with a lesser skill set than they actually need to take the business forward simply because it’s what they feel comfortable with budget-wise.

Make sure you’re a stand-out start-up Creating a buzz about what you’re out to do as

an organisation is key to attracting the attention of those you would like to hire. Discover the world you target talent ‘inhabits’ and build a presence there. From Twitter to LinkedIn, from professional associations to creative hubs, reach out directly through an eye-catching presence and a compelling narrative that will draw in both active and passive job seekers. Look in the most unexpected places, think laterally and don’t always play it safe.

A convincing argument

While active job postings on your web and other sites are an absolute must, your networks as well as those of your current employees and contacts can also be fertile recruiting grounds.

Encourage others to get involved in the recruiting process and incentivise them with rewards if their referrals result in a hire.

Convincing a candidate shouldn’t be that difficult if you have truly found the right fit. Energise people about the vacancy by listening carefully to what’s important to them during the interview stage and responding to that. Money’s always important but make sure they know what the fringe benefits are: staff discount schemes, flexible working hours, healthcare or even a shorter commute may be very attractive to some people. Leading-edge technology or science will make the best people want to work for you. Many people, especially tech professionals, want to make a difference, either within the organisation or in the world. If a candidate has expressed an interest in a social cause that aligns with your business plan, use that your advantage.

Be open minded

(Don’t) buy cheap and buy twice

Good tech people don’t always come in neat packages. Just because someone has a stellar CV doesn't mean they’re a star performer. You might find that it’s the people who have seemingly failed, or dropped out of university or college, or changed their career paths that could be your next hire. Some of the most famous business leaders have been school failures and dropouts: Bill Gates (Microsoft), John Warnock (co-founder of Adobe Systems) and Richard Branson (Virgin) and Jim Clark (founder of Netscape) to name but a few.

Don’t be afraid to pay extra if it will get you the right skillset for the job. It will be worth it in the long run. There’s an old sales mantra that still rings true: If you buy cheap, you end up buying twice. Because something seems like a bargain or fits a pre-agreed budget, it doesn’t mean it’s the correct option and may not last the distance.

Hiring is expensive from a financial perspective and can be time consuming. Get it right and you save on both.

Ask your people

For expert advice about recruiting for IT visit SearchBI at www.searchbi.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Bradley Hall backs Northumberland rugby Neil Hart and Morpeth team captain Alan Rogers

A North East chartered surveyors and estate agents has continued its support for grassroots sport by sponsoring a local annual rugby tournament.

Bradley Hall, which has sponsored a number of sporting people and events in a bid to support local clubs and organisations, provided funding to Morpeth Rugby Club for its Morpeth 7’s event.

The sponsorship provided funds to Morpeth Rugby Club’s annual tournament, which saw clubs from across the region come together and battle it out to win the coveted cup.

Bradley Hall opened an estate agency office in Morpeth in 2015 and more recently one in Alnwick. The offices added to the already established Newcastle, Durham and Gosforth operations.

Neil Hart, Bradley Hall Managing Director said: “We are aware that many grassroots sports clubs in the region struggle to survive because of high running costs, which is why we are happy to sponsor clubs which make a positive impact in the local community.

stay fit and healthy whilst also providing focus and life experience for the younger generations.”

“Morpeth Rugby Club and the Morpeth 7’s tournament provides a wealth of opportunities for people in the local area to practice sport, to

John Stafford, Senior Vice President at Morpeth Rugby Club said: “We rely on sponsorships to maintain the club and events like the Morpeth

7’s. Our deal with Bradley Hall meant we could provide a fantastic sporting tournament for keen rugby players. It was a fantastic day and we look forward to continuing our partnership with such a supportive local business.”

For further information on Bradley Hall’s residential services, please visit www.bradleyhall.co.uk or call the Gosforth office on 0191 284 2255.

March 2016

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Commercial teams with professional sales processes in place report greater profits for good reason.

by Richard Lane Co-founder and partner at durhamlane

Processes, systems, and re-engineering are very familiar concepts to most organisations.

For example, if you think of the manufacturing industry; defined and structured procedures ensure profitable operations in plants or warehouses - nothing is left to chance. It is all the more surprising that 70% of UK businesses still don’t have a professional approach for their salesforce. Given that sales are a critical driver for business success, relying on the luck of individual sales reps and their managers shouldn’t be an option.

to replicate the approaches of star performers as it’s a series of common and shared beliefs on selling, which will influence everything from sales recruitment, to sales tactics and strategy. A professional approach to sales helps build a common language and promotes strong cultural values within a sales team. It is the “how” in the sales process that when implemented correctly, becomes a philosophy – improving consistency, productivity and sales effectiveness in a sustainable way.

We are often approached by companies who exhibit common symptoms of absent sales methodologies and processes; some commercial leaders struggle to avoid micro-managing their teams and consequently lose sight of the strategic business goals. Highly productive sales teams sometimes can’t locate the reason for diminishing growth and others just simply fail to create opportunities and close deals. Sub-optimal performance usually happens because of poor or late access to key decision makers, a failure to create value in the mind of the buyer, and/or when resources are wasted on opportunities that are not adequately qualified.

Agility: Every company can benefit considerably by adopting a sales methodology, but only if the objectives and the meaning of success to the company are clear. There are many sales methodologies out there, but a good sales methodology stands out as being binding enough to optimise sales effectiveness, but flexible enough to fit your business and support your objectives.

The benefit of sales methodologies Having a designated sales methodology can help

What a good methodology needs to imply

Serve & Grow: Many methodologies focus on a few phases along the sales process and therefore lack the holistic view of the buyer’s journey. We come across organisations who spend their time so focused on winning new deals they miss out on adding value to their most important clients and building long lasting relationships. We call

this phase “Serve & Grow”, where pro-active and customer-centric account planning is enabled.

Qualification: Another common mistake is not dedicating enough time and effort to the identification and qualification process. High performing sales teams know exactly how to allocate resources against the highest potential opportunities and spend time where they can be most successful. Better preparation and deeper research will result in better business results. Problems in closing the sale usually relate back to poor qualification earlier in the sales process.

Customer-centric: Finally, some methodologies are outdated and don’t align with the everchanging buyer behaviour. The breakthrough thinking, however, is to find clients with a high business fit and create value-based partnerships.

Everything we do at durhamlane is centred around our Sales Methodology, something we call Selling at a Higher Level. Our proven methodology and mindset has helped thousands of business and sales people to achieve more and to grow in confidence.

Following our simple step process, organisations are able to determine where they need to increase focus and sales professionals can fine tune their ways of working. Making a measurable difference.

Get in touch with us today and we help you to create and implement your individual sales methodology. Call us on 0191 481 3800.

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

IT(s) time for talent Steve Nelson

Finding the right people with the right skills is unquestionably one of the hardest tasks for IT companies, says Steve Nelson, Director of Calibre Secured Network Solutions. Is there a lamentable lack of talent in the North East or are there really good people out there who will give everything they have to companies like Calibre?

Personally, I subscribe to the second view but finding them does undoubtedly take time, patience and, to a certain degree, luck in the competitive and combative IT world, where seemingly everyone is trying to find people with more added value skills.

Of course, companies like Calibre want people with the right technical experience: well-rounded team players, those with good attitudes and who show initiative and take responsibility. But we also want those who are driven, and aspire to take their career a step further and want to move their IT skills to the next level.

Technology is changing so rapidly that we are increasingly looking beyond the qualifications and accomplishments to someone’s attitude towards professional growth and technical advancement. In today’s IT channels, there is an increasing need for savvy people who not only have the technology wherewithal, but also the desire to learn and develop those softer skills that are so important.

These are the IT professionals who know that the more they grow, the more valuable and indispensable they become to us as employers.

Attitude can be everything when it comes to finding the best IT talent fit, and tech firms do need people who create a positive work environment for everyone around them.

But to hunt down and find the ‘best-ofthe-best’ in the intensity of the IT jungle, most companies need a partner who’s experienced with an adroit touch. That’s why we are linking up with good people like Baltic Training, who are plugged into the region’s IT network with connections to Dynamo, working hard to secure the next generation of IT talent for us through innovative apprenticeships.

There is currently a skills shortage in the IT sector, with more than 700,000 jobs in technology based roles and a further 120,000 new recruits needed each year. It makes sense to safeguard your business by up-skilling your current workforce – and this is what we are doing through developing an apprenticeship programme in cooperation with Baltic.

Even if we can’t find what we want at the time, pursuing the apprenticeship route enables us to nurture our own people and equip them with the requisite technical, software and web

More at www.calibre-secured.net

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development, social media and commercial and interpersonal skills that will not only secure our and the wider industry’s future workforce needs but meet the needs of clients in the ever evolving world of technology.

Undoubtedly, apprenticeships can be good for business – and that’s why we are making the investment now for the long term. The apprentices we take on will absorb and adopt our values more easily, ensuring that they are increasingly likely to remain than those that come to us via other career pathways.

There are unquestionably many forces at play in IT recruitment, but for us when it comes to finding talent we definitely see apprenticeships as an integral part of our recruitment and workforce development strategy. The choice for IT decision makers and business leaders is to invest now in the right talent, or pay later for people who don’t pan out. I know what option I prefer.

Calibre provides IT solutions to enable schools, local government organisations and companies to maximise their return on investment through the deployment of technology to meet their business challenges.

COVER STORY

Who controls your data?

The explosion in the big data society we now inhabit has seen IT experts ITPS evolve into the common factor underpinning many of our region’s successful organisations.

From its launch in 2000, the business has deliberately taken an educational approach to winning new business, focusing on helping clients become better informed about what is possible, and then helping them to make the right choices.

The result is that the client remains in control, which is a key factor in building long term relationships based on trust and transparency, and one of the reasons why ITPS enjoys an enviable client retention figure, with customers regularly committing to five and seven year contracts.

Making sure clients retain control over their IT infrastructure and therefore their data is a recurring theme throughout the company’s history. Data security is the current hot topic, with the EU referendum date taking place this month and many CIOs and IT managers nervously awaiting an outcome that will transform the regulatory framework around data and how it can be collected, managed and stored.

ITPS managing director Garry Sheriff explains more: “Everyone seeks to make their business more efficient and while IT is a great enabler, data has become the lifeblood of the business world and many people are wary about handing over the reins to a third party. We completely understand those concerns, a lot of which are down to not fully understanding the issues and implications.

The good news is that you don’t have to understand the technology itself in order to make the right decisions, but you do need to work with people who are experts in the latest technology developments, understand the wide-ranging business issues you face and can create an infrastructure that can remove some of the pain.

We never start a conversation about technology, we always start by looking at what the client wants to achieve. We like to work alongside clients as partners, so they are not relinquishing control of their IT, whether we are managing all or just some of their infrastructure and day to day support and development requirements. That principle has served our clients very well.”

ITPS’s reputation as expert data guardians has seen it attract clients across sectors including the emergency services, legal, manufacturing,

financial services and shipping. All sectors that process huge amounts of data, work within tight regulatory frameworks and rely heavily on their IT partner to keep their business and its data safe.

The amount of data organisations collect grows by an average 50% a year and its use has transformed the way we live and work. Figures show that data-driven enterprises outperform others by up to 6% and are up to 26% more profitable. It follows that managing big data and dealing with cyber-security issues have gradually risen to become the top concerns among business owners.

ITPS has been supporting its clients’ big data strategies for over a decade, and the launch of its ISO27001-certified £4m data centre and workspace recovery site in County Durham – the largest in the North East - was greeted with acclaim for organisations looking for a highly secure, resilient environment for their data.

The data centre has high speed 10Gb connections making data backup and storage fast and efficient, as well as dedicated project and build rooms, and 320 workspace recovery seats.

“Part of the attraction for many of the clients who have chosen to base their data there is that our data centre is UK owned and managed,” said Garry.

“Location is a growing issue for those concerned about data sovereignty. One of our computer virtualisation partners recently carried out a survey of public and private sector organisations, which showed that 34% held their data outside the country, and 76% held at least a certain proportion of business critical data overseas.

Worringly, only a third could be certain about where their data was held, and this situation is not as rare as you might think. For instance how many people know that if they are signed up to Azure or Amazon cloud services, their data is probably being held in Holland and Dublin?

With the EU court scrapping the Safe Harbour agreement, the General Data Protection Regulations set to become law in 2018 and the EU referendum almost upon us, it is crucial that business owners take a considered look at how and where they collect, process and store their data, if they want to stay in control.”

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COVER STORY

For more information visit www.itps.co.uk, email contact@itps.co.uk or tel: (0191) 442 83 00

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NEWCASTLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DISCOVER THE WORLD GOLF DAY 2016 Newcastle International Airport held its first corporate golf day at the prestigious Close House Golf Course. An aviation theme was rolled out across the Lee Westwood Filly course with each hole rebranded to highlight the array of destinations available from the airport. Guests included airline partners, business delegates and key stakeholders from across the region. Discover the World from Your Airport at www.newcastleairport.com/discover.

INTERVIEW

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INTERVIEW

In Conversation With...

John Healey Corporate Finance Senior Manager - UNW LLP

What were your career ambitions growing up?

The earliest career ambition I can remember was wanting to be an inventor. At the time my biggest achievement was designing a prototype device, made out of Meccano and a Swiss army knife, which chopped the tops off hard boiled eggs.

Surprisingly this never made its way into mass production. Just to prove I wasn’t a one trick pony, other “inventions” included an impenetrable lego money box (unless you discovered the design flaw of it being made out of breakable lego blocks) and a heated cheese sandwich made out of digestive biscuits (which I was so convinced by I made my Mum write to McVitie’s about).

Can you briefly outline your career path for the readers?

After school I moved to London to join the Coutts commercial banking team. Sadly this wasn’t dealing with the personal wealth of the rich and famous, it was more answering the phone and posting out cheque books.

I then joined PwC as an Accounting Technician in audit, intermittently working and studying for exams until I became a chartered accountant and moved across to Corporate Finance. After 10 years at PwC, a client from the Education and Training Industry asked me to join them as Finance Director. After two years as Finance Director and subsequently Managing Director, trying to buy businesses, restructuring, selling and integrating a quite complicated multi-site business, my wife and I moved to Newcastle, where she was originally from, to raise our family.

UNW has a large and successful Corporate

Finance presence in the North East and so it was an obvious place for me to join. I have spent the last couple of years helping people to buy, sell and raise finance for businesses across the region.

Can you describe a typical day in the life of John Healey?

Now I have two young kids, despite them getting me out of bed really early, I seem unfathomably unable to get out of house and into the office much before 9am.

My job is to help businesses through some sort of liquidity event perhaps by helping to sell or buy a business or to raise funds to grow. I generally have a handful of projects ongoing at any one time and this means working with clients, banks, lawyers, funders and other members of the team at UNW to deliver a transaction.

I will try and get back home for the kids bath and bed time, the first five minutes of being welcomed home by them like Caesar returning to Rome is a real highlight, swiftly eroded away by the time I am pinning them down trying to get their legs into their pyjamas.

What are you currently working on?

The market for mergers and acquisitions is quite active, so we are all really busy working on a wide range of projects. Because we work with businesses at all stages and sizes, ranging from owner managed enterprises to larger corporates across any sectors, there is always a big variety of projects at various stages of completion.

I also spend a fair amount of time looking at new opportunities and getting out in the market.

For example we recently organised a really well attended event at UNW where a panel of funders representing Crowd Funding, Venture Capital, Development Capital and Private Equity came in to discuss the different types of funding available to businesses.

What is your greatest business achievement to date?

I’m proud when I look back on the sale and subsequent integration of the business I was the Finance and then Managing Director of in London.

I found it a relatively big and complex business, with well over 200 staff and 12 sites around London and beyond. From the perspective of doing it rather than advising others on how to do it, I found the process very challenging, but also a great achievement when finished.

What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?

My old boss once, after missing his budget, had to go to his boss’s office to explain why. Before he went in he said “Even if I can’t go into that office and bring home the bacon, I want at least to go in with a pig with a lead tied around its neck” Away from the desk how do you like to relax?

We love doing things as a family although how relaxing this is, is debatable. I have also recently taken up the baffling game of real tennis.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a great inventor.

For more information about UNW's established Corporate Finance team, please visit www.unw.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIGHT Stuart McKinnon

It’s only Rock and Roll The organisers of the Duke of Edinburgh award have thrown down an interesting challenge for their 60th anniversary.

They have suggested that you do something that you have never done before but always wanted to and, of course, collect money for a great cause along the way. As Headline Diamond Partner for the DofE in its anniversary year, RSM have taken up the challenge.

I have mentioned before in this column my love of music and the challenge took me back to the first group I ever liked and a certain drummer by the name of Richard Starkey. It has been said that Ringo wasn’t the best drummer in the world and in fact I am not even sure he was the best drummer in the Beatles but I loved him and from that day on I had a hankering to be a drummer. The problem was a drum kit was out of the question for a seven year old living in a semi detached house in Walker so it was something that I added to a childhood bucket list (before anyone knew what a bucket list was). Other items on there were to play centre forward for Newcastle United and to be an astronaut. I have given up on those later two dreams, so the drums it had to be.

Now it wasn’t going to be much fun playing drums on my own so a quick email around the office flushed out two lead guitarists, two bass players, two singers, a key board player, another

drummer, together with someone who had always wanted to play the saxophone. That person hasn’t revealed what else was on their bucket list although, I think she probably had more chance of playing centre forward for Newcastle United than I ever did!

be Dukes but the more senior members of the group got our way in the end and added a ‘the’.

We even have two ‘gigs’ planned which really does focus the mind and ensures we practice as often as our busy work schedules allow.

Rehearsals have started in earnest and I have discovered that drumming isn’t as easy as Ringo made it look. In fact I don’t really think I have a talent for it but I am working hard and hopefully might be able to get through a whole song without losing the beat before our selfimposed deadline of the end of September. The fact we have 12 songs to learn turns it into a real challenge!

There are two downsides to playing the drums.

The first is the noise. I tend to get a ringing in my ears after extended practice so please remember to speak up if you meet me. The second is they are not very portable. The first is solved by wearing ear plugs (we may need to hand those out to the audience as well but for other reasons!), the second by getting down to the gym a bit more regularly.

It is getting quite professional in that we have hired rehearsal studios (it was a little too noisy to rehearse in the office) and we now have a channel on YouTube following our progress. We even have a name! The Dukes seemed perfect although we did argue for a while as to whether it should just

So the moral I guess is don’t ever throw away that bucket list. If a tax specialist can live out one of his dreams 51 years on, anyone can. Oh and if you fancy joining the RSM house band, the Dukes are looking for a male lead singer. Accountancy experience not essential but it would be a bonus!

For more information on RSM’s DofE Diamond Challenge, visit www.rsmuk.com/the-dofe-diamond-challenge. For advice on taxation issues, please contact Stuart McKinnon on 0191 255 7000 or email: stuart.mckinnon@rsmuk.com or your usual RSM contact.

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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

Changing Times Having started her journey in the accountancy profession as a graduate trainee in Sheffield and now joining Leathers LLP in Newcastle, Vicky Baker has taken some interesting turns throughout her career so far and witnessed many accounting changes. Here, she talks about making the move to a new firm and the surprises that it can bring.

I started my career as a graduate audit trainee with a mid-tier firm back in 2004, which when you put it on paper is a long time ago now.

From there to now has involved some leaps of faith, the first being after 6 years of taking exams, gruelling busy seasons and a recession, when I decided it was time to take a break and took a year off to broaden my horizons and travel the world.

After the trip of a lifetime, reality started to hit and it was time to come back to the UK and put down some roots. I’m from the North of England originally, and Newcastle is my husband’s home town, so the choice was made and we moved into our parents-in-law’s home until our house sale went through.

I decided to return to practice and joined one of the big four firms, gaining some invaluable experience during my time there. Then I got to a crunch point after having my little boy and needed to make a big decision about what to do next; that’s when I joined Leathers LLP. Leathers wasn’t a firm that I had even heard of 6 months ago and, honestly, I’d discounted them on first glance. The impression I was given from descriptions of the firm and some research on their website was a small, old fashioned, almost unapproachable business, but the name kept coming up and I thought it was worth going along to see for myself; and I‘m glad I did.

The phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ rings true here and rather than the traditional, outdated firm I was expecting, I was greeted by a fresh, young, and enthusiastic team. It was clear to see that whilst small, the firm wasn’t short of expertise and covers a significant breadth of accountancy and tax services. I realised that rather than restricting my opportunities, I’d be

enhancing them and so it was an easy decision to make in the end.

The first couple of months have provided me with a glimpse into the extent of knowledge that the people have here. The clients are diverse, complex, and engaging, and the skills of the staff here match those attributes. Settling in has been easy; the staff are welcoming and easy to relate to. Whilst still young, most of them have been here for several years training up through the ranks, and there is a real sense of team as a result of that.

That idea of team is something I noticed very early on, as the tax and accounts department work closely together to provide a comprehensive business service to clients. I’ve seen the firm be agile and responsive to whatever the day brings, and I was thrown straight into that on my first day with a review of some accounts under the new reporting standard; FRS 102, ironically for the tax department.

FRS 102 is arguably one of the biggest changes in recent accounting standards to be released for UK companies. I’ve always been current on my technical knowledge, the audit world demands that, and understanding the impact of FRS 102 is no different.

In short, FRS 102 is a single reporting standard that replaces previous UK GAAP and will affect almost all companies in the UK. FRS 102 is comprehensive and complex, and this complexity has been recognised with the introduction of the revised standard in September 2015 that incorporates reduced provisions for small companies.

Here at Leathers, we’ve been taking a proactive approach to FRS 102 and reviewing the impact on our clients as early as possible, with

a view to seeing whether early adoption could actually be beneficial.

It’s great that I can use my experience and contribute to the firm so early on in my career here. Our approach to FRS102 sums up the forward thinking nature of the firm. We are conscious that clients won’t be engaged with the changes or may overlook the implications of FRS102 so we’ve got to grips with the underlying technical aspects so we can summarise them concisely, without too much fuss for our clients.

We’re always looking for solutions and have an excellent dialogue in the office which I think stems from having a young likeminded team.

Looking to the future, the firm has great aspirations for growth and defining itself as something different to the traditional offering in the market. We recognise that people don’t always see what we can offer, and the level and depth of knowledge that has been gained by working with high quality clients, and that’s something that the whole firm is working on changing. I’m thrilled to be a part of that challenge.

It can be a daunting thought to move to a new firm, especially when it’s perceived to be so far from your current comfort zone. There are many questions that go through your mind, but much like the decision to go travelling, it was a leap of faith that has paid dividends. There are exciting opportunities out there and firms like Leathers are proving that they have the ability to move quickly to adapt to the modern, flexible working world.

It’s been a great time to join the firm, and it’s clear that there is a real energy to succeed.

I’d advise anyone to have a second look, first impressions can be misleading - I’ve certainly learned that to be the case!

For advice and assistance with FRS 102, or any other accounting needs, contact Vicky Baker at Leathers LLP on v.baker@leathersllp.co.uk or 0191 2246760

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Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

INTERVIEW

In Conversation With...

Rachel Fleming KPMG Newcastle

What were your career ambitions growing up?

Growing up on a farm in the Lake District I think I expected to have a career linked to animals as I loved spending time helping my Dad on the farm.

As I grew up I realised the early starts and 7 day a week work of a farmer were not for me. I also started to grow a bit squeamish which ruled out becoming a Vet. Can you briefly outline your career path for the readers?

I joined KPMG in 2003 after completing my degree in Accounting and Finance at Newcastle University.

I spent the first three years completing my ACA professional qualification and learning the skills of an auditor. I then took the opportunity to widen my skills base working with Partners and Directors across the firm on varied projects from advisory work through to being part of teams tendering for new opportunities. Through this I developed specialisms in Retail, Health and Higher Education and helped to grow our client base in these key sectors.

Can you describe a typical day in the life of Rachel Fleming?

My working days are vary varied. I will typically be out of the office for a good part of any week either with my audit teams or in meetings with current

or prospective clients. This could involve anything from presenting to a Plc Board of Directors to providing training on what our audit involves to the Governors of an NHS Foundation Trust. The variety of work and clients is one of the main reason I chose to develop my career at KPMG. What are you currently working on?

At the moment in addition to my clients’ audits I am working on a tender for a fully listed Plc based in the North East and supporting a number of Universities and private businesses with their transition to new UK GAAP. What is your greatest business achievement to date?

I am really proud to have worked with Mick, Nick and Paul to bring in new clients over the last 10 years which has helped us to grow our business.

Whilst I am proud of all of the wins, being part of the audit team to retain the audit of Greggs in 2014 was a definite high point in my career.

What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?

As part of my promotion to Director I had the opportunity to seek the advice of a wide variety of KPMG Partners. I think the best advice was to be yourself and always do what you believe is the

“right thing to do”.

Who are your heroes in and out of business?

It may be a bit cheesy but I would have to say my Mum. From an early age she taught my sisters and I about the value of hard work. After returning to work after having three children she joined a North West Plc as a Secretary. Over 20 years she worked her way up the organisation and when she retired last month she was responsible for managing a team of 20 in the best performing part of her business segment. I am really proud of her.

Away from the desk how do you like to relax?

I love to entertain at home. The key ingredients are a few friends, a good bottle or two of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and an opportunity to try out a new homemade dessert. Recent experiments included profiteroles but the favourite of most has to be Sticky Toffee Pudding.

How would you like to be remembered?

I can honestly say that I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the days when I will no longer be around. I am focused on doing the best that I can and trying to make the right choices in life. I will leave it to others to judge what my legacy will be but I suppose we would all like to think we will be remembered and hopefully for something positive.

KPMG LLP (UK) Quayside House, 110 Quayside Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DX. Tel:+ 44 (0) 191 401 3779

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

pointments.....Appointments.....Appointments.....Appointme

New Director for JDDK Adam Vaughan, previously an Associate, has joined the board of Directors at Newcastle architects, Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall (JDDK) Ltd. Adam studied Architecture at Sheffield University, completing his first degree in 1995. A year working in Paris followed before returning to Sheffield where he completed his Diploma in 1998 and extended his dissertation to gain an MA. After extensive work in Ireland, Adam returned to his native Newcastle to join JDDK in 2005 where his work has been in a number of development sectors.

Permatt strengthens sales team for growth Leading North East fork lift truck specialist Permatt have strengthened their sales operation with a senior appointment.

Stuart Dawson joins the Killingworth based business as Sales Manager during a period of steady growth. The company recently announced it has achieved annual sales of £3.5m, up from £2.8m last year.

With more than 35 years’ experience in the sector, Stuart brings both technical and sales expertise to the role. Stuart worked for Barlow World Handling for more than 25 years and most recently worked at Windsor Materials Handling.

Leading finance lawyer joins Sintons Jane Meikle joins the Newcastle firm as a Senior Associate after ten years with Bond Dickinson, where she has built a reputation as a leading finance specialist.

With more than 15 years’ experience in the sector, Jane specialises in debt finance transactions and acts for a range of lenders and borrowers in areas including acquisition finance, development and project finance.

Sintons have a strong reputation for their work in banking and finance, and work closely with many of the key institutional lenders, banks and private equity funders in the North East.

Financial recruitment specialist joins UNW’s Strategic Talent team UNW has appointed Senior Recruitment Specialist Laura Dean to its Strategic Talent team, a unique service in the North East to help businesses appoint the right people and develop their senior management teams.

Laura joins consultants Peter Neal and Dave Bowman, creating a team with more than 35 years’ combined experience of supporting companies to recruit senior talent.

The Strategic Talent division, launched last year, has already worked with clients in the public and private sectors to fill key roles including financial director and financial controller.

Equity Partner appointment at Mincoffs Solicitors Commercial Property lawyer, Ryan Bannon, has been promoted from a Fixed Share Partner to Equity Partner, reflecting the firm’s increased confidence in the future. His appointment took effect from April 1st 2016 and follows continued expansion of the business. Ryan, a Cambridge University graduate from South Shields, trained in the City of London, qualifying in 1997. He then returned to the North East where he held leading positions with two prominent North East law firms before joining Mincoffs Solicitors in 2013.

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Making Tax Digital Managing Director at Robson Laidler Accountants and Business Advisors Graham Purvis explains how tax is being digitally transformed for business.

Most people have heard Benjamin Franklin’s quote that in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Well what is certain right now is that tax in the UK is changing.

The driver behind this seismic change is HMRC's Making Tax Digital (MTD) strategy, which is aimed at allowing them to interact digitally with all tax payers by 2020 and remove the current selfassessment tax return.

The exact details of this are sketchy. We are awaiting Consultation documents (condocs) to add meat to the bones. These documents have been drafted by the Treasury but their view is not to detract from the EU Referendum and therefore the condocs will not be released until after then.

Why is it being introduced?

The Treasury alleges that there is a £6.5bn tax gap from the SME taxpayer base. Very broadly that equates to each SME under declaring profits of £6,000 to HMRC. The MTD initiative is aimed at making inroads into that tax gap, although the Treasury reckon it will only recoup £6m of the missing £6.5bn!

What we do know so far?

From April 2018, HMRC intend for the majority of sole traders and landlords (including those in employment but also have a secondary source of £10,000 or more per annum) to keep records in some form of digital format and submit the high level information online - at the very least on a quarterly basis.

Following this timeframe, it will be rolled out to SME businesses by 2020 with intentions of reporting VAT and corporation tax obligations. The objective being that HMRC no longer feels spreadsheets are an adequate form of record keeping. By introducing

this as mandatory, they feel it will make paying taxes and reporting information closer to real-time and therefore less room for error.

What will be reported?

The Condocs will hopefully provide the detail but it will probably be turnover (i.e. sales); and costs as and when they are incurred. Matters needing further clarity include: MRC’s stated intention is that not every H transaction will need to be reported. Where will the line be drawn?

Will small businesses have the hardware to do this? ow will errors, deliberate and innocent, be H policed by HMRC? After four quarters reporting, will there be a

final adjustment report to amend previous quarters figures or make any tax adjustments (for example for capital allowances, pension contributions)?

Problems ew tax law is needed to lay down the statutory N basis for this new process of tax filing. It is planned to start in April 2018 and in order for there to be sufficient lead-in time that law should be in place in a Finance Bill in early 2017. That means that the new legislation will need to drafted between August 2016 (when the consultation will end) and November/ December 2016 (when the Chancellor usually delivers his Autumn statement previewing the new tax changes to be introduced). With the greatest will in the world, having only five to six months to draft new tax law to introduce such a fundamental change is ambitious.

F igures from the Treasury indicate that MTD will be applicable to 5.4m of the UK’s population.

Of that figure they estimate that 1.9m (35% of total) will be what they call, Assisted Digital. These are people and businesses that may be expected to need some assistance to interact with Government online. Out of that number, approximately 800,000 (15% of total) are classed as Digitally Excluded - with broadly 305,000 being unable to interact with Government online (i.e. no internet access) and 495,000 stating that they would never use the internet to interact with Government even if they could. What provision will they make for those taxpayers who are genuinely unable to use digital means?

The Way Ahead As illustrated above there are some major issues to overcome before MTD can be rolled out in a proper fashion. The proposals in their current format are burdensome and could lead to increased costs and resource for businesses. With this in mind, professional organisations like the FSB and ACCA have counter-proposals to submit as part of the Consultation process.

We will watch with interest to see how this develops. Here at Robson Laidler we see ourselves being able to support our clients through this change in a number of ways. We already have numerous clients using Cloud-based accounting software and are therefore well-schooled in how this operates. Adopting a Cloud-based accounting software solution puts you in a prime position for a seamless switch to Digital Tax reporting but more importantly using such software provides you with your business’s up-to-date financial information. The ability to have this real time data at your fingertips is incredibly valuable – our team of business advisors can help you measure your progress against your goals, identify problems within the business early and so on.

If you would like to talk to us about Cloud-based accounting and our other added value services, or to request a demo, please contact us here at Robson Laidler. T: 0191 281 8191 E: gpurvis@robson-laidler.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Dividend Insurance : part 2 Peter Rutherford, Commercial Director, Three Counties Group

From the April edition readers will recall that John and Jack were running their shoe manufacturers, “Such Cobblers,” after the death of George who was Production Director and a one third shareholder.

Mildred, George’s rather blousy wife, had wanted to take his seat on the Board but Jack, in particular, had objected. John and Jack also had to change their remuneration policy from low salary and high dividends to high salary. This was to avoid paying Mildred because she did not contribute to running of the business.

What follows is best read in the style of Sir Terry Wogan and the “Janet and John” stories from his radio programme.

Jack and John are in the Boardroom discussing the business. Things are not going well.

handkerchief to his brow. “Sorry, your honours, but I couldn’t stop her. She just flashed past me.”

against shareholders and states that I can apply to the Court for an order to force you.”

John lisped, “The sales figuress are wather disappointing.”

“I didn’t show him anything,” Mildred protested.

“So it’s up to you. Do you want to play nice or do you want to play hard.”

Jack barked, “Its worse than that. Production has gone to hell in a handcart. We are getting so many returns for poor quality it is ruining our reputation. We should never have made the old foreman, Pimple, Production Manager but we had no-one else and couldn’t afford to recruit.”

“Didn’t The Man from Three Counties suggest something about lock person insurance?” said John.

“KEY MAN, you imbecile” shouted Jack.

“Yes he did and it would have given us money to recruit and train George’s replacement and provided us with a buffer to protect our profits whilst we were doing this,” he continued.

“So why didn’t we take it out?” queried John.

“Because we thought it wouldn’t happen to us” responded Jack. “We were naïve as it wasn’t expensive.”

Just then George’s widow, Mildred, bursts in followed by a sweating Mr. Pimple who holds his

She swung her fulsome figure to face John and Jack square on. “Now boys, we need to sort this out. I want my dividends back. My puppies are wasting away.”

John looked confused.

“The day before he died, George bought me two Lhasa Apso.”

“Isn’t that a type of tea?” queried John.

There was a moment’s silence.

Jack then spoke, “No, Mildred, you cannot have the dividend. You add nothing to the running of the business and its success.”

“Okay,” smiled Mildred, “then you can have a choice. Either you reinstate the dividend policy or…… (Drum roll) …. you buy my shares at full market value. Your choice, boys.”

“You can’t give us an ultimatum like that,” growled Jack.

“Oh but I can,” she purred, but with hidden menace. “If you care to read Section 994 of The Companies Act 2006 it covers unfair prejudice

John and Jack swallowed hard. Trading was tough, reserves were being used up and the bank had been putting pressure on them to reduce their borrowings since George had died. The Man from Three Counties had suggested loan insurance but, again, they had done nothing.

That evening John returned home to Janet who, as usual, had a household implement in her hand which could be used as a weapon. This time a frying pan.

“A good day?” asked Janet.

“Not really,” said John. “Mildred came in and flashed Mr. Pimple and said her puppies were getting smaller. They looked fine to me. She said we wanted to play and would be happy if it was nice or hard and she wants to be paid” THWACK!!

See John wish he had taken more notice of The Man from Three Counties.*

Peter Rutherford is Commercial Director at Three Counties Group. Telephone 0191 230 3034.

Email peter.rutherford@threecountiesgroup.co.uk Three Counties Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. *The Woman from Three Counties is also available for consultation.

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Jules B back in the black after traumatic two years Julian Blades with Andrew Wilson, UNW

Family-owned North East designer clothing and accessories business Jules B is back in the black, after suffering significant losses due to fraudulent accounting.

The company, founded in 1984 by Julian and Rhona Blades, has seven stores in Newcastle, Yarm and Kendal and a significant online fashion business that contributes 70 per cent of its £10 million annual turnover.

Its survival came under threat in 2014 when the business discovered that its bookkeeper had falsified four years of accounts and failed to pay almost £1 million of VAT to HMRC. Julian said: “The level of deceit was extraordinary. Each year the bookkeeper delivered accounts showing healthy profits, so we continued to invest heavily in store refits and building the internet business.”

Jules B brought in David Murgatroyd as its new financial director who created a new structure for the business and reinstated accurate accounts with HMRC. However, four years’ debt had to be repaid, leaving the company in serious financial trouble.

our finance team for a period of time.

“It’s fantastic to see the business now very firmly back on its feet and to have assisted with its transformation through a very difficult period.”

The company went into talks with administrators and Stephen Clarke from Barclays worked to keep Jules B afloat by putting it into special measures, while Newcastle-based accountants UNW also provided advice.

UNW’s managing partner Andrew Wilson said: “My initial involvement was very much in a consultative capacity, helping to navigate meetings with bankers and a range of advisors.

The survival and recovery plan is paying dividends and the company is once again on a growth trajectory and has repaid the majority of its third party debt. Twenty months into its detailed two-year business forecast, Jules B has hit almost every target and has reported a £470,000 profit for first six months ended January 2016.

“Since our appointment, the team at Jules B has utilised a wide range of expertise from UNW related to VAT, PAYE and national insurance, incentivisation plans, corporate tax and we even seconded in a member of

Julian said: “Andrew’s advice was priceless. We regard the UNW team extremely highly and it is extremely comforting to know that we have access to real expertise as needed.”

For more information, please visit www.unw.co.uk.

Ready made apprentices JB Skills Training Ltd is offering a solution to construction companies ready to take on pretrained apprentices due to the success of a new course that has been launched.

The course, which includes six weeks in the classroom is followed by six weeks on work placement with a local construction company. The course is funded by New College Swindon but is being rolled out in the North East first.

Focusing on plastering and tiling, candidates aged between 16 and 18 are being taken through the traineeship by JB Skills Training, preparing them for the world of apprenticeship and work.

Following six weeks in the classroom, the candidates can then join companies in the construction industry for six weeks hands on placement. At the conclusion of the six weeks placement the company, who pay nothing for the placement other than travel costs, will have first option to take the trainee on, on a full time apprenticeship.

Paul Taylor, head of business development for JB Skills Training, who run apprenticeships, traineeships, functional skills and bespoke training across the UK and Europe, said: “Construction companies need juniors, apprentices and trainees but finding good ones is hard work and often they are already on board when realisation hits that they are no good.

‘Our course cuts out that risk. We are filtering the best onto our course, and they will have a good grounding before they join the profession. The company then has them for six weeks full time work risk free, before they decide if they would like to keep them. We have a whole mix of companies interested in the trainees from one man bands looking to grow up to large corporate construction companies wanting fresh young talent.”

Candidates or companies interested in offering a position should contact JB Skills. Paul and his team can be reached at paul@jb-skillstraining.co.uk or on 0191 5105519. More information is available at www.jb-skillstraining.co.uk or on www.facebook.com/jbskillstraining

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INTERVIEW In Conversation With...

Nick Mather Business Development Manager - The Morpeth Practice What were your career ambitions growing up?

Completely unrealistically I wanted to be a Rugby player. After realising that was never going to happen I decided sales and business development was a natural path based on my personality and background.

Describe your career path so far?

At 18 years of age I trained with Jaguar as a car salesman. I then had spells in media and sales management before going into sport with business development roles at Newcastle Falcons and Durham County Cricket Club. I think if you are good with people you can deal with any sector of business.

Describe a typical day?

I start work at 8.45 and look at the daily market reports on email to get more industry knowledge.

We then have a team catch up at 9.30 after which I will go through my follow up calls. Following this I look at "mining" new client info before concentrating on the marketing side of the business.

What attracted you to your current role?

Whilst I am currently Business Development Manager I have the opportunity after taking my exams through the St.James Place Academy system to become a Wealth Manager. This will give me career progression and the opportunity to use my network to its full potential and widen it also.

What are you currently working on?

What has been your toughest challenge?

The current one! I have literally jumped 2 footed into something new and am well and truly out of my comfort zone which is no bad thing!!

What qualities do you need within your current role?

A happy demeanour, integrity. An understanding of the products and the ability to adapt and change. It’s a tough market to be involved with and you have to have trust right across the board.

Otherwise what is the point.

Who are your heroes in and out of business?

Early on my Dad was a fairly big influence on me.

I think we both knew that my strengths lay in my personality and he really helped me come out of my shell. Within business I don’t really have any heroes but feel it is massively important to take advice and listen from those around you in influential positions. They may not always be right but you can learn from that.

Who would be your ideal dinner guests?

Freddie Mercury, Clive Woodward, Tiger Woods and Barack Obama.

How do you relax away from the desk?

Rugby is my sport so I took up coaching after playing and really enjoy it. Alnwick RFC is a great club to be involved in. My other hobby is game shooting and I am a member of a small syndicate at Blagdon Estate. Most of all though I like to spend time with my family. Hamish and Harriet keep me busy!

I am approaching my first RO1 exam via the St.James Academy which I take in August.

What has been your best business achievement?

I don’t think I have one that stands out but what I would say is that I pride myself in high levels of client satisfaction and feel I have achieved that across my career and will look to do so in the future.

For further information email: nmather@themorpethpractice.co.uk

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Healthcare Dinner The future of Primary Care in the UK was in the spotlight as more than 60 guests gathered for a healthcare dinner hosted by RMT Accountants & Business Advisors, Sintons Law, Lloyds Bank and NAPP Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Held at the Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel, the special event saw NHS clinical commissioning community lead Dr James Kingsland OBE updating guests on the Five Year Forward View of new models of care, and on what the Primary Care list-based practice could look like in the NHS by the end of this decade.

Other speakers included Chris Ollerenshaw of the North Of England Commissioning Support Unit, and Jacqui Tonge, Chair of the South Barnet Practices Network and Director of the Barnet GP Federation.

INTERVIEW

An entrepreneur interview with:

Jonathan Gold Rivers Capital Partners Originally a chemist working with precious metals, a move into international business development led to Jonathan Gold heading up some of the North East’s most important investment funds, and now sees him working on bringing £100m in private capital to the north, to make investments beyond the seed stage.

Tell me a bit about your background.

I grew up in North London. I’m technically a proper Cockney, I was born in the old Charing Cross Hospital, which is within the sound of Bow Bells. I studied chemistry at the University of Manchester between 1980 and 1983, and moved back to London after graduating to start a job working with precious metals at Johnson Matthey, before working in university spin-out companies and at the UK Atomic Energy Agency.

So how did you get into venture capital?

In the late 1990s I worked at the DTI, setting up a number of venture capital funds with an investment from the Welcome Trust, who funded almost as much scientific research as the Government. When I started I knew nothing about venture capital, about which one of my superiors commented, “You’re an Assistant Director at the DTI, go out and bloody learn!”. Sir David Cooksey, Chairman of Advent Venture Partners, one of the first VC firms in London, taught me a lot about it. I knew I wanted to get out of business development and into venture capital so I joined Nathan Hill at Qi3, and over three years set up four funds.

How did you come to be in the North East?

In 2003 Andrew Mitchell set up North East Finance, and I was given a three month interim assignment, writing the business plan for NStar, an investment company backed by One North East. I was asked to join the board at NStar, which led to me moving to the North East permanently. There was a lack of seed investment funding in the North East at the time, the funds that did exist were more interested in larger, later stage businesses.

NStar was quasi-public sector and I wanted to own my own business, so in 2008 Peter Hiscox and I affected a management buyout. This was the start of Finance Tree, a company we still own today alongside Rivers Capital. It was with Peter, and John White of e-synergy, that I started Rivers Capital in 2009, which started management of the North East Angel Fund in 2010 and the North East Startup Fund in 2014.

size since we started, so we moved to our current office on Collingwood Street. Here we’ve got plenty of space for our seven full-time staff, two part timers and four other directors.

Being in finance the recession must have had a big impact on you.

Not so much at Rivers Capital, but there was definitely an impact on Finance Tree. When we bought out the company in 2008 there were six employees, by the end of 2009 there were two.

This was in some part down to the appetite at the time for businesses in the North East to pay for investment training; they had been used to the Government paying for it up until that point.

How has the market changed since you started?

Hyperdrive Innovation, our first investment. They came to us with an idea, now they employ 23 people and have completed their fourth round of funding. This was a big boost to my motivation.

Being able to build my own company at the same time as helping people to build theirs is an important thing for me too.

Can you tell me a little about your business structure, how did it come about?

We’re a limited company, authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with a board of directors. On the surface this looks very hierarchical, it has to be to meet the FCA’s standards, but on a day-to-day basis it’s quite flat, my door is always open, we’re still an SME after all.

How does mentoring factor in your business?

The changes in Government spending since 2010 have been very noticeable. There is far more money available from private investors now, compared to public sources. We have brought in £9 million of private investment to accompany investments we’ve made from the North East Angel Funds.

The private investment market is buoyant, but understandably somewhat risk averse, so us making an investment from the Angel Fund can be enough of a vote of confidence to spur on others to do the same.

I’m lucky that Peter Hiscocks and John White are a bit older than me, they brought a great deal of experience to the business. Along-side being on the Rivers Capital board, Peter is a serial entrepreneur and investor, and a senior lecturer at the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School. John has had a great deal of success in business, he bought EMI’s R&D arm in 1996, then valued at £3 million, forming the company Scipher, which was valued at £330 million when it was floated on the stock market four years later.

What would you say is your USP?

I often mentor people from businesses we invest in, and people who come to me for investment advice.

Some of the best investments we’ve made have come from people who I’d advised a year or more earlier. This usually takes the form of me meeting a few people for a coffee each month, including people referred by members of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

We bill ourselves as the entrepreneurs’ fund manager, all of our board have significant business experience, so we know what to look for when we’re investing in a business, and what advice and support the businesses we have invested in need.

How do you keep your team motivated?

So when you started Rivers Capital, where was your office?

We’re putting in place a share options scheme for our employees, most of whom are relatively young and have been recruited and trained in the past six years. We don’t have a bonus structure around doing deals, they are a perverse incentive that often leads to the wrong decision and a short-term mentality. We do have carried interest bonuses at the end of funds, though these are very much longterm, as the fund managers only get them after ten years, if a fund meets its target.

We started out on Hood Street near Grey’s monument, above the old Northern Rock branch.

By 2013 we needed a larger office; we’d doubled in

I recently went to the fourth anniversary of

What about your own motivation?

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Do you have big plans for growth?

We’re looking to double the size of Rivers Capital over the next three years. As an industry venture capital requires long-term commitment to looking after funds, so growth can come as a step change, rather than increasing incrementally. On top of this, I plan to bring significant private investment to companies across the north, at least £100 million of it, to invest in companies that have progressed beyond the seed stage; I think this is the next logical development on top of what we’re already doing in the region.

Jonathan Gold 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

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Together we can take on the world: Now is the time for North East businesses to scale up!

Entrepreneurs’ Forum members heard from some of the UK’s leading business owners at their annual conference, Together We Can Take on the World.

Held at Newcastle’s Crowne Plaza, the entrepreneurial gathering was sponsored by SGP Technology Group, hosted by comedian and presenter Alfie Joey, and focussed on helping businesses overcome the issues that prevent them from scaling-up.

Nigel Mills, chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum opened the conference by quoting Abraham Lincoln: “The best way to predict the future is to create it… and by working together we can do just that, together we really can take on the world. While SMEs make up just 35% of GDP, they account for over 60% of the workforce, so winning the scale-up challenge would be a huge positive for North East economy.”

Irene Graham, CEO of the Scale-up Institute, an organisation that works to boost the UK economy by helping companies to scale-up, encouraged the region’s business owners to ‘lean-in’ and support scale-up businesses: “As a nation we’ve had incredible success in starting up businesses, even compared to nations like the USA, but we’re not as good at growing them. In 2015 scaling businesses created 4,500 new jobs

every week, but no one funder or entity can support the system, it has to be a collaboration.

It’s about getting entrepreneurs, the Government, large corporates and educators to come together to help businesses scale-up.”

have the ability to solve some of the biggest problems Government can’t fix. Businesses with a social conscience, with entrepreneurial leadership, can improve society and play a role in areas where Government cannot always succeed.”

James Lambert, founder of R+R Ice Cream, the second largest ice cream business in the world, talked of the need for growing companies to increase their customer-base: “We started off with 60% of our business with one customer, so we went out and found more customers. That original firm now makes up 3%.”

Giving a different perspective on scale-up, John Alderson of Informed Solutions shared his approach: “We’re not a big company and have no desire to be; we’re a mid-tier SME. We scale through third parties, through contracts, through business alliances.”

He also noted the importance of focus to any business looking to scale-up: “It’s not about running in every direction. The ‘will-nots’ are more important than the ‘wills’; get rid of the things that won’t scale if you are serious about growth.”

Entrepreneurs should use a ‘lighting rod’ mentor to support their growth, according to motor dealer operator, Peter Vardy. Peter, who is the son of Sir Peter Vardy, says speaking to his father every day to discuss issues and experiences helps with the development of his business.

Sir Peter, who spoke alongside his son, said he believes his entrepreneurial attitude and aptitude is making his social action activities a success. He told a captivated audience that: “Entrepreneurs

A UKTI export champion, he also gave attendees some advice on finding new markets: “When you export, you have to think of the customer. Why would someone in Australia want to buy from someone 12,000 miles away? You have to be able to demonstrate you are better than the local products.”

Olympic high jumper Steve Smith, an entrepreneur in his own right since an Achilles injury forced him to retire ranked number one in the world and aged only 26, urged attendees: “As in sport, to improve in business you need to concentrate on the factors you can change; to control the controllables. We all lead stressful lives, we can get bogged down by the things we can’t impact on, but in truth we can all only influence the quality of our own deliverables.”

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

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Brent Field decommissioning represents huge opportunity for North East Most people will have heard of Brent Crude – for years it’s been the major benchmark prices for purchases of oil worldwide – but not everyone will know of the Brent field, Shell’s massive investment that was the cornerstone of the UK’s oil and gas industry for over 40 years.

Located some 116 miles NE of Lerwick in the Shetlands, the field was discovered in 1971 with an expected life span of just 25 years.

Developed by four huge platforms, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta, and the infamous floating Spar, so loved by Greenpeace activists in 1995, the field actually produced around 3bn barrels of oil equivalent, producing at it’s peak in 1982 more than half a million barrels a day.

The Brent field is now being decommissioned in a mammoth engineering project for which planning began in 2006, will involve over 180 organisations and will take over 10 years to complete. The programme will begin with the lifting of the topside module of Brent Delta which will be taken to the Able Seaton Port (ASP) facility at Teesside, operated by Able UK Ltd for dismantling, recycling and disposal.

Shell plans to use the world's largest double-hulled ship, the innovative Korean-built, SLV (Single Lift Vessel) Pioneering Spirit, to take Delta's 23,500-tonne topside to Hartlepool where it will be broken up at the yard, where it is expected that 200 jobs will be created.

The operation to lift the topside onto the ship - scheduled for this Summer will be the biggest offshore lift ever carried out. The twin hulls of the amazing vessel will be positioned either side of the platform before the 16 huge beams of the Topside Lifting System are extended underneath the module and locked into the topside lifting points. The vessel then de-ballasts to take nearly all the module’s weight before the final lift, to take the topside clear of the legs, is accomplished by hydraulically operated yokes and further deballasting.

Plans for the next stages, the removal of the concrete gravity-base structure (GBS) which is similar to those of Bravo and Charlie whilst Alpha has a steel jacket, are still being finalised but will be even more challenging, not only due to their sheer size (the concrete bases weigh around 300,000 tonnes each whilst Alpha’s steel jacket is a mere 17,000 tonnes) but also the condition of their integral oil storage cells, not seen since construction in Norway during the 1970’s.

So while the arguments and planning goes on, why the interest? Primarily because the market for decommissioning work is huge and the North East needs to continue to lobby to ensure we are in pole position to seize this opportunity rather than allow the Government to give it away in yet another political sop to our Scottish neighbours.

The international energy market research group, Douglas Westwood, produced the “North Sea Decommissioning Market Forecast 2016-2040” in February which estimated the North Sea alone represents a decommissioning market between 2016 and 2040 that could amount to between $70 billion and $82 billion.

During the 2019-2026 period, the UK North Sea industry will see the removal of some 144 platforms, according to Douglas Westwood report, which points out that the low oil price environment and ages of platforms are key drivers of decommissioning activity on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

I also have to admit a personal interest in the Brent story. Brent Alpha was the very first platform I ever worked on as a young roustabout for Deutag Drilling in 1978, supposedly as a temporary job that would enable me to finance a Master’s degree. A helicopter pilot who serviced the rigs sold the enclosed grainy photo to me.

Industry body Oil & Gas UK reported in its Activity Survey 2016 that 21 fields ceased production on the UKCS last year. A further 80 fields in the UK are expected to cease production over the next five years. So far, the previous two years has seen decommissioning spend on the UKCS at around $1.45 billion per year, but Oil & Gas UK expects this to start growing significantly – to more than $2.9 billion in 2017.

I stepped off an old semi-submersible in Vietnam as Driller some 15 years later thinking as a grown man with two young children it was time I took a proper job, using my oilfield knowledge and experience, but did I enjoy my time on the rigs? To quote Brad Pitt in ‘Fury’, best job I ever had!

So the opportunity is there, it’s whether the region can take advantage of it…

John Dias worked 15 years in offshore drilling before returning to Newcastle in 1996 and forming Silver Bullet Marketing in 1999, originally specialising in marketing engineering companies but now grown into a full service agency across most B2B and B2C sectors.

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New Look sleeveless blouse £17.99 Debenhams, Principles by Ben de Lisi jacket £55

New Look cullottes £17.99

Smart for summer When it comes to finding the best buys this season, allow intu Metrocentre’s stylist Michaela Dale to guide you. Surrounded by clothes daily, Michaela has a firm grasp of today’s trends and how to style them. So, the fashion-conscious ones amongst you can breathe a sigh of relief, as Michaela has your summer workwear all planned out.

Can you believe it? We’re finally having some good weather up North, which is great but can also cause problems when getting ready for work.

Dressing professionally shouldn’t have to be an issue when the temperature rises, so here are a few tips on revamping your summer wardrobe.

Keep cool by ditching heavy woollen blended pieces and instead, opt for breathable cottons and lightweight linens. I am a champion of the shirt dress and summertime is a great time to start introducing them into your wardrobe. When trying on, keep the proportions in mind and remember: if it's a little oversized, it looks best hitting just above the knee. Whether it’s belted, unbelted, buttoned up

or left loose, a shirt dress gives you a wide variety of styling options. Wear with a stacked heeled sandal or mule for an office appropriate summer look.

Swap your usual pencil skirt or cotton trousers for a loosely tailored crossover skirt or one with a strategic slit. Team with a cotton or light chambray shirt with rolled up sleeves to create a polished look that feels smart and effortless.

Don’t fancy wearing a skirt? Dress up a plain white tee by tucking it neatly into this summer’s staple cropped trousers and teaming with a leather court shoe or brogue. A quirky necklace will help to finish the look.

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Black can absorb heat so if you are a fan of darker colours then make sure you choose lighter fabrics and looser cuts. A black sleeveless shirt and cropped culottes will look chic and keep you cool too. If you’re heading out for lunch, pop on a pair of sunglasses to complete the outfit.

Finally, a linen blazer is the perfect addition to any workwear wardrobe. Try different styles and colours on with your current clothes to see what works best for you. A looser masculine cut is modern and edgy but something more tailored is classic and timeless.

Let’s hope the sun keeps his hat on for the upcoming months and make sure you have fun with fashion this summer, while keeping cool at work.

Next necklace £20

Next sunglasses £15

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Attracting & retaining talent through film Bryony Gibson

Bryony Gibson, Managing Director of Bryony Gibson Consulting, shares her thoughts on why you should be joining the video revolution and empowering your staff to tell their story on camera.

Did you know that 57% of all consumer internet traffic in 2015 was video? It’s a staggering statistic from a global internet study by CISCO, which also suggests video streaming will account for 80% of all online consumption by 2019.

So what’s this got to do with recruitment? Well it’s going to have a huge impact on every business process that uses the internet, including searching for and hiring new staff.

In many of today’s job markets we are short on highly skilled people, so identifying those with the perfect blend of talent, experience and attitude can sometimes take longer than we’d hope.

The best people are often happy working elsewhere, but being in demand and ambitious, they may still be interested to hear about the opportunities that are available.

If top talent does decide to move in a candidate-led market, it means they do so with strong bargaining power and the flexibility and confidence to do their research and, if they don’t like what they see, simply move on to something else.

As a business leader your time is precious too and, if you don’t know the market inside and out, I’m afraid you’re going to have to be prepared to invest an awful lot of it in meeting a large

number of people before you find and recruit the right ones. But what if there was another way?

What if video could help you to enhance your recruitment process and make it easier to attract and retain the best talent?

Video usage is increasing quickly in recruitment because of its relatively low cost and high impact potential. They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, so just think what a good video must be worth!

More eye-catching and engaging, a lot of cutting-edge organisations are already discovering just how powerful video recommendations from their own staff can be at conveying the excitement and passion of a workplace.

Deloitte started the trend back in 2008 when they launched the ‘Deloitte Film Festival’. By offering employees the chance to shoot short videos that shared their experience at the company, they not only empowered staff by giving them the chance to have a direct impact on how the organisation was portrayed to the outside world, but they also managed to boost team spirit and inject some fun and extra morale across the business; resulting in more than 2,000 people creating videos and becoming positive long-term advocates.

More recently, Heineken has turned to its own staff to promote the company as a great place to work to potential new recruits. Their ‘Faces of

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.

Heineken’ campaign has only just launched, with the aim of showcasing real employees working across the many business areas within the company. 32 people have been selected to share an authentic and positive story about their career with the brewer, demonstrating the breadth of opportunity available, as well as the true culture of the business.

Heineken are also embracing video interviews throughout their recruitment process to allow more candidates to speak directly with them. The use of Skype, Google Hangouts and FaceTime all have the potential to reduce pressures on travel and time for initial interviews, as well as to open up wider geographic talent pools.

While it’s difficult to imagine the face-toface interview ever disappearing for good, given the predicted rise in online video content and an ever shifting workforce demographic that is more and more comfortable using this method of communication, we are likely to continue seeing an increase in video use in the coming years.

By taking the time now to integrate video into your recruitment strategy, you will not only begin to streamline and simplify the process for both you and potential recruits, but also help your organisation to attract and retain the best possible people who are magnetised toward ambitious and forward thinking organisations.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Jack of all trades, master of none!

Ammar Mirza pic: Peter Walton 2014

From a very early age as I was growing up I was exposed to the world of work. My father was a teacher, ran markets, and owned several shops. Well actually it was my mother who ran the businesses but father was at the helm.

One of my earliest memories was standing behind a counter or in front of a market stall which was just a way of life.

To be honest I had little interest in any of the businesses as my ambition was to become a pilot.

My mother wanted me to become a doctor but I just never had the patience. Anyway, as I got older and my father went off to teach in Saudi with my sisters, mum was left to bring up the boys. By the age of 8 or 9 I had a paper round, actually it was my elder brother’s paper round, and he was just really good at delegating. At 12 years old I had a Saturday job and ever since then I have always had a job alongside studying or at least two jobs throughout my career.

There is no doubt that I am hard working and that is now enhanced by the fact I really enjoy what I do. But the crux to ensuring a good and healthy work ethic is to get in early. Without the timely exposure to the world of work I do believe my attitude and aptitude would be distinctly different.

When I became a Chair of Governors at a Primary School and became interested in

enterprise education I knew that the focus on introducing the world of work at age 15-16 for our young was too little too late. That is why we set up the Primary Inspiration through Enterprise (PIE) Project which aims to engage, enlighten and educate primary aged pupils in the world of enterprise. The project has had a significant positive impact on all of those involved, including teachers, parents and businesses, not to mention the pupils.

One of the pupils who participated in the project was Jack. He came from a fourth generation unemployed family in Walker. With little ambition or aspiration Jack wasn’t very academic but fully engaged in the PIE Project and achieved a NCFE Entry 3 Level vocational qualification in Investigating Enterprise, one of the first primary aged pupils to do so in England.

Part of the PIE Project activities was for pupils to become a shopkeeper for the day. Each student had to complete an application form, produce a CV and be interviewed for the role, ultimately 5 students out of 25 succeeded.

Jack had asked to speak to me to showcase his work, and with immense pride Jack showed me his folder. Jack was able to articulate and demonstrate his career pathway as he wanted to become a Vet. When I asked Jack what his motivation was he was clear on why he had

chosen to become a Vet and how he was going to get there.

At the end of our discussions I asked Jack what he now wanted to do, to which he replied that he knew he hadn’t been successful at being selected as a shopkeeper for the day, but that he simply wanted to spend the last week in school.

Unbeknown to me Jack had been excluded for behavioural issues. He acknowledged these issues and then had a very mature conversation from which I was genuinely taken a back. Jacks’ personal and professional development through the PIE Project was clearly apparent and he realised the importance, at such a young age, of developing his soft skills.

Statistically if a young person has four meaningful encounters with an employer or exposure to the world of work they are much more likely to gain and sustain employment.

According to the Equality and Human Rights Commission poor white males are failing in education and are the worst off in society. So we, as the business community have a moral duty to help the younger generation and what better way than introducing young people to the world of work, enhancing life chances and improving life choices. So that people like Jack can become masters or tradesmen realising and raising their ambitions and aspirations.

For further information on how you can get involved in the PIE Project visit www.pieproject.org or email me ammar@ammarm.com.

Ammar Mirza CBE is the chairman and founder of Asian Business Connexions; past David Goldman Visiting Professor for Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University and represents the Private Sector on various boards across the region.

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BUSINESS LUNCH

Alfresco dining in the Geordie sun! by Michael Grahamslaw It was a beautiful sunny and warm late Spring day and I had a lunch pencilled in with a new business prospect. Whilst the idea of laying in the sun with a cold beer was very tempting, it’s not the ideal way to impress a prospective client so I elected to combine the best of both worlds by booking an al fresco lunch at Hawthorns Brasserie at the Crowne Plaza hotel, one of the recent additions to the Toon’s burgeoning list of great new places to eat and entertain.

My client was early, so what did he want to do? Why have a pint in the sun on the patio before looking at the menus, that’s what.

Now that’s what I call a happy coincidence and I just love it when a plan comes together.

Happy days.

With the sun on my face and a cold beer in my hand, I was feeling very mellow and more than just a tad Mediterranean so I chose olives with Geordies Bakers local bread and a dip of Northumbrian rape seed oil and balsamic vinegar for starters whilst my dining companion chose flash-fried salt and pepper squid accompanied by aioli and lime slices. How fitting is that? That said, I suddenly realised we were dining in a place that specialises in fresh local produce around which its daily menu is centred so in solidarity, we revised our mains and instead chose Toon Ale battered cod fillet served with twice cooked skin-on chips, crushed peas and an unusual accompaniment of curry and gherkin mayonnaise whilst my dining companion swerved the 35-day aged, 32oz rump

steak (Err, hello? How did I miss this one?) and the Turnbull’s of Alnwick rib-eye steak in favour of an 8oz Northumbrian Black aged fillet steak with a béarnaise sauce served with wedges, Portobello mushrooms and vine cherry tomatoes. Both were first class and everything you would expect of a good 4-star hotel’s kitchen.

Apart from the obvious 32oz rump steak - I love a challenge and you should never dare a fool, other items on the menu that caught my eye for next time around were Craster kipper paté served with Geordie Bakers sour dough bread and venison burgers served with Cuddy’s Cave cheese and gin and onion jam. The Zaatar variety with spiced halloumi, Portobello mushroom, pesto mayo on a Geordie Baker brioche bun also struck a chord but then, so did everything else on the menu. As you can gather my diet is not going too well at present but with places like Hawthorns about, it is never going to. I keep telling myself there is always tomorrow or the next day or the next day...but I have to face it, I’m just a foodie

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- and always will be. I love good food but then, who doesn’t?

Whenever I can, I will always support local people who support me and others think that way too. Chris Wood, Hawthorns executive chef, puts it far more eloquently than I can when he says, “I’m passionate about being in the kitchen and using only the best fresh and locally sourced ingredients to create fantastic dishes for people to enjoy.” His quote is even printed on its menus so his ‘support local’ quest is out there for all to see.

Hawthorns is open throughout the day serving a wide range of dishes and has a refreshing “whatever you want, whenever you want it” attitude so whether you are looking for working business breakfast (served until noon daily), a casual family meal with a special children’s menu, a very British afternoon tea or a more formal dining experience, you will find it at Hawthorns.

Hawthorns Brasserie is located within the Crowne Plaza Newcastle hotel in the Stephenson Quarter of central Newcastle on Hawthorn Street. (SatNav: NE1 3SA). T: 0191 562 3333. Look up all Hawthorns menus on www.hawthorns-ncl.com.

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

Find yourself in Northumberland National Park

Northumberland National Park celebrated its 60th birthday in April and recently won the prestigious accolade of National Park of the Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards in a public vote.

If you’ve not visited before or it’s been a while, here’s why you should!

It’s the most northerly national park and the least populated of all the parks in England and Wales. Covering an area of 405 square miles from Hadrian’s Wall to the Scottish borders, it has been described as England’s last great wilderness.

Northumberland National Park is the most tranquil part of England, home to iconic species such as the native red squirrel and England’s cleanest rivers. The National Park is part of Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, the largest area of protected night skies in Europe.

The landscape features upland hay meadows, moorland, peat bogs and ancient woodlands, along with a vivid history from prehistoric hill forts and rock art to Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site and more recent bastle houses, which are testament to the area’s border reiving past.

A regional treasure for the North East, some six million people live within an hour’s drive of the National Park. It has more than 1,130 kilometres of Public Rights of Way - including two national trails and a number of long distance walking, cycling and horse riding trails.

Often described as ‘the land of the far horizon’, there is a wild beauty in Northumberland National Park that is so uplifting it bestows a sense of wellness just from being immersed in open and tranquil countryside, surrounded by the sounds and sights of nature and the stars above.

You just have to experience it, to feel it.

With a full calendar of events and activities for all ages, there is never a shortage of things to do in the Park. You can get out and get active or simply enjoy the enchanting wildlife and landscape, visit the many picturesque towns and villages, and indulge in some local gastronomic delights.

There’s also plenty of fun to be found in museums, at historic sites, houses and gardens across the Park. The lack of light pollution means we officially have the darkest skies in England. In this Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, you can stargaze at the Milky Way, just as Hadrian’s legionnaires did.

If you need an excuse to visit, why not help us to celebrate National Parks Week 2016 which runs from Monday 25 to Sunday 31 July. Under the theme ‘Adventure’, Northumberland National Park is hosting a full programme of inspiring activities and imaginative events for individuals and families throughout the Park.

Visitors can visit the Mansio at Walltown Quarry & Country Park, a mobile contemporary teahouse and reading room inspired by the original Roman mansios, which were the official stopping places on Roman roads for officials and those travelling on business, acting as meeting places, a place to stay, teahouses and reading rooms.

Other events include ‘storyteller Jim’, a longtime native of Northumberland, who tells

listeners tales about the history and landscape of this beautiful and turbulent region. There’s Writing Workshops with Tony Williams and various Guided Walks with experienced National Park volunteers. Visitors can also become nature detectives hunting for mini-beasts on a Wildlife Safari, test their navigation skills on a high tech treasure hunt or try their hand at bush crafts to help them survive in this landscape of plenty.

For more information go to: www. northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/events/ Tony Gates, Chief Executive of Northumberland National Park Authority, explains: “Every summer the UK's annual National Parks Week celebrates some of our most stunning and treasured landscapes. It highlights the importance of our National Parks and presents the perfect opportunity to encourage more people to get out there and explore.

“We have a huge range of wonderful activities planned during National Parks Week that showcase all that is special about our countryside.

The choice we have on offer in our National Park is unique. You can walk in the footsteps of the Romans, step even further back in time at Iron Age Hillforts, take in the panoramic views into Scotland from the Border Ridge, to sampling the local produce and crafts of the Park’s many skilled artisans. Whatever you’re looking for – whether flora, fauna, countryside activities, history and culture, or simply just somewhere to escape from it all – we have it in abundance.”

Join the conversation and find out more at Facebook: NorthumberlandNP and Twitter: @NlandNP.

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BUSINESS INSIGHT

The Premier Group – Hardware Supplies & Refurbishments Everyone loves a bit of DIY, but sometimes it doesn’t always go to plan and not everyone has the time to ‘do it yourself’. So that’s when it’s time to call the The Premier Group experts.

The Premier Group offer two separate services which go hand in hand if you’re looking to make a few changes to your home or office.

Although the company may seem fairly new, Lee Surtees, builder and owner of the group, has been carrying out refurbishments on properties for the last 10 years. He believes that although the services are separate, many of his customers will benefit from both the hardware supplies and the fitting service they provide. Fitting DIY retail and refurbishments hand in hand.

Only employing traditional local tradesmen with a wealth of knowledge within the building/ shop-fitting industry is what the company prides itself on to ensure every customer experiences an authentic family friendly service.

Premier Property Refurbishments offer free estimates, full project management and bespoke packages for both personal and business work.

From big office refurbishments to fitting shelves

in your kitchen, no job is too small.

Since 2014, Premier decided to expand their business by opening a hardware store at The Nook on Prince Edward Road in South Shields.

Growing up at The Nook, Lee commented on how he remembered a hardware shop in the area when he was a child. It had been a dream of his to bring one back to the area ever since. He believes the people within the community need a good quality hardware store which reinforces traditional family values.

The Premier Group bring old traditions back with a modern twist, as they have an open-cart website allowing you to shop online and with three vans, delivery of your purchased products is not a problem. Additionally, by recently creating a Facebook business page, they are now able to keep their customers up-to-date with the latest news, offers and competitions. So be sure to give your local family business a ‘like’!

For more information on the services offered by The Premier Group, visit their website www.premierhardware.co.uk or give them a call on 0191 432 4555.

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Willi’s Café Jesmond

Under new ownership and recently refurbished

Under new ownership and recently refurbished

All day breakfast • Daily meal menu • Paleo and low gluten options available All day menu breakfast menu breakfastcakes menu Direct trade artisan loose leaf teas All andday homemade Paleo and low gluten optionscoffee, available Direct trade artisan coffee, loose leaf teas and homemade cakes Daily meal menu

Paleo and low gluten options available

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‘fantastic golf at affordable prices’

Email:john@ravensworthgolfclub.co.uk for details Tel:0191 4876014 or visit www.ravensworthgolfclub.co.uk to book online

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

www.quantum-cf.co.uk

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Driving-up North East automotive skills

From pioneering technologies in electric vehicles to inspiring the next generation of engineers, Gateshead College is a driving force in skills development for the North East’s automotive industry.

The region’s automotive industry boasts a significant reputation for investment in research and development and new and emerging technologies. Demand for skilled engineers is at an all-time high and industry body, the North East Automotive Alliance has projected that an additional 10,000 new jobs will be created by 2026.

Gateshead College has an unrivalled track record in supporting the industry. It has been developing its automotive specialism since 1984 and during that time it has launched the UK’s first electric vehicle apprenticeship, created world-class training programmes for national and international companies and played a key role in policy development.

The college has been Nissan’s trusted training partner for over a decade, supporting the car manufacturing giant to develop a unique training programme that hits every area of the business.

Nissan’s prestigious apprenticeship programme takes employees through the levels to a degree equivalent qualification and is continually adapted to focus on practical workshop time to develop advanced engineering skills such as the design and production of electric vehicles.

Nissan apprentice, Stephen McCarron, 20, from Wallsend, started a five-year apprenticeship in September 2015 after deciding the academic

route at university to become an engineer wasn’t for him. Stephen is completing his training at the college’s £5.5 million purpose built Skills Academy for Automotive, Engineering, Manufacturing and Logistics, based at Team Valley in Gateshead.

The hands-on learning programme is helping Stephen to hone his skills in everything from electrical installation, electronics and circuits and mechanical work to welding and Computer Aided Design (CAD). In addition, the course offers him the opportunity to develop softer employability skills to help him to make the transition from education to a work environment.

Stephen said: “I’ve always wanted to train as an engineer and thought that university was the only option for me. I soon decided that the academic route was too focused on theory and that I’d like to be work more on my practical skills.

“Taking up the apprenticeship is the best career move I could have made. I’ve progressed far quicker than I would have doing a degree and an added bonus is earning a wage while I’m doing it.”

As well as setting the wheels in motion for the next generation of automotive engineers, Gateshead College has a pivotal role in developing the UK’s low carbon vehicle technology. Zero Carbon Futures (ZCF) is an internationally recognised electric vehicle consultancy, set up as a subsidiary of Gateshead College. The

organisation works with businesses, universities, government bodies and sector agencies to ensure that the UK is able to maximise the benefits of the low carbon vehicle sector. It is also the lead for the innovation strand of the North East Automotive Alliance.

ZCF manages a wide range of projects including working with major electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, Nissan, BMW, Renault and Volkswagen to roll-out a new EV infrastructure across the UK. They have also partnered with Elm EV to launch EV Works – a service which supports organisations or public bodies to prepare for the mass uptake of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

It’s projects like these combined with high quality training and workforce development programmes that continue to build the college’s reputation for excellence in the automotive industry in the UK and beyond.

Ivan Jepson, business development director at Gateshead College, said: “The expertise of the automotive industry in the North East is something that we’re hugely proud of and our work will continue for decades to come. This will ensure that businesses have access to high quality engineering professional training that will help them remain strong and competitive.”

For more information contact 0191 490 2258 or email employers@gateshead.ac.uk

46

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Take positive steps against discrimination in the workplace

However discrimination in the workplace can create a negative and hurtful atmosphere whether it’s one individual being targeted or a group of people. And like people, discrimination can come in many different shapes, sizes and forms. Therefore, it’s important for employers to spot the signs at the earliest stage possible.

Sometimes what may seem like harmless office jokes may actually be bullying or belittling.

Tensions between colleagues may be one of the first signs bullying is taking place. A member of staff may keep their head down and avoid certain members of staff out of fear.

The BBC found that there were 14,000 claims of gender discrimination in employment tribunal cases in 2013/2014. This was followed by 5,000 claims for disability, 3,000 claims for race and

2,000 claims for age.

Joanne Howe

A workplace should be a safe and happy working environment filled with employees who work as part of a team and respect each other. An environment like this has been proven to increase productivity amongst employees which in turn increases your company’s profits.

The Equality Act, which was introduced in 2010, established “protected characteristics” making it illegal to discriminate anyone because of their age, being transsexual, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or having a child, having a disability, their race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), their religious views, beliefs or lack of, their sex or their sexual orientation.

It’s important for employers to reinforce this Act and regularly hold mandatory seminars about discrimination in the workplace to ensure all employees understand inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated. Establish an open door or after hours policy where those who are being targeted have the opportunity to speak with an employer in private.

If an employer suspects discrimination or bullying is taking place, they must take serious action and investigate any complaints. Employers must be impartial in these situations which may mean hiring someone from the outside to investigate the situation thoroughly.

So if you need more information about preventing discrimination in the workplace, get in touch with Howe Consultancy on 07921 256 981 or email us at info@howeconsultancy.co.uk.

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Thank goodness

not every north-east commercial law firm is going the same way.

In an age where everyone seems to be getting bought up, swallowed up and ending up completely changed, we are more than happy to be different. We remain incredibly proud of our enduring independence. We are free to make decisions that are true to our values and, above all, that are of most benefit to our clients. You could call it a sign of our individuality.

Muckle LLP. We think you’ll like the difference.

@MuckleLLP

BUSINESS INSIGHT

North East based Ailantus Hotels expand portfolio in North West

Newcastle Law Firm Mincoffs Solicitors have advised on a multimillion pound deal which saw North East based hotel group Ailantus expand its portfolio with the acquisition of the Mercure Manchester Norton Grange Hotel and Spa in Rochdale.

The 81 bedroomed, 4 star hotel is set in its own landscaped grounds and is situated 8 miles from Manchester city centre.

the group include Mere Court Hotel, set in the heart of Cheshire, Best Western Smokies Park in Oldham and the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley.

The £19M turnover hotel chain includes in the North East, the George Washington Hotel, which has recently undergone extensive refurbishment including Washington’s newest dining experience, Carter & Fitch Smokehouse Pizzeria Bar offering a contemporary and vibrant dining experience.

Other hotels based in the region are the Holiday Inn Gosforth Park, Newcastle and the Quality Hotel, Boldon, Sunderland, both of which have also undergone major refurbishment in recent times. The Holiday Inn Gosforth Park was also recently recognised for the ‘most improved service standards’ in the European Intercontinental Hotel Group.

Mercure Manchester Norton Grange Hotel and Spa includes 11 meeting rooms accommodating up to 220 guests and spa facilities including a full length swimming pool, a full wet facilities suite including an array of steam rooms and saunas, a Jacuzzi bath opening on to a terrace and a full spa suite consisting of 6 treatment rooms and relaxation room.

This latest acquisition boosts Ailantus Hotel’s presence in the North West. Other hotels in

Neel Chawla, Director of Ailantus Hotels said “We are delighted to acquire the Mercure Manchester Norton Grange Hotel and Spa, the newest addition to our high quality suite of hotels. The acquisition will allow us to further enhance our reputation in the North West hotel sector”.

The corporate team at Newcastle Law Firm Mincoffs, advised Ailantus Hotels on the purchase, led by Partner John Nicholson and assisted by Solicitor Jonathan Smith.

John Nicholson said “This acquisition is a great strategic fit for Ailantus and I’m sure that they can bring further improvements to the hotel, as they have for others in the group. We have worked with Ailantus Hotels for over a decade and are very pleased to act in yet another significant deal.’

To find out more, visit www.mincoffs.co.uk Tel: 0191 281 6151 E: info@mincoffs.co.uk

50

Ahead of the game.

Our corporate team can help give your business a competitive edge.

Our leading corporate team have expertise in all areas of corporate law, including sales and acquisitions, corporate finance and company reorganisations and restructuring.

To find out more, visit: www.mincoffs.co.uk T: 0191 281 6151 E: info@mincoffs.co.uk

New addition to Ward Hadaway’s family team represents parents and other family members in both public and private law proceedings.

The family team at leading North East law firm Ward Hadaway, has been further strengthened with the recruitment of experienced solicitor-advocate Cassandra Spenceley.

She has also acted through the Official Solicitor to represent parents in public law proceedings, where they have been found to lack litigation capacity in their own right.

Cassandra joins Ward Hadaway as an Associate, after more than a decade advising on issues relating to children and their welfare, in both private and public law proceedings on the North East Circuit.

Cassandra has a reputation for handling the cases she works on with the sensitivity they require whilst adopting a robust approach as and when it is needed, to safeguard the interests of her clients.

She has gained particular expertise in advising on difficult and complex issues surrounding children and their welfare, and in recent times has acted for children and family members in cases that have come before the Family division of the High court.

Cassandra said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be joining Ward Hadaway in Newcastle. The firm has a first-class reputation for the quality of legal services it provides, and in particular its commitment to client care.

Cassandra is a long standing member of the Law Society's Children Panel and regularly receives instructions to represent children by their CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory Service) Guardians before the Family court.

"It is clear that as well as being a leading commercial law firm, Ward Hadaway also values providing top class personal legal services. I am looking forward to adding value to the already established and well thought of family law team here in Newcastle".

She has also accepted instructions to act directly for young people before the Court when they have been found to be competent to have their own legal representation, in what are often sensitive and difficult cases, which concern their own future.

Jonathan Flower, Partner and Head of Family Law at Ward Hadaway, said: "Cassandra is someone whose work we have been familiar with for a number of years, so it is great to be able to welcome her to the team.

After a number of years of appearing before the various tiers of the Family court, in 2015 Cassandra formalised this experience by securing her (civil) Higher Rights of audience and becoming a Solicitor-Advocate.

"Her particular expertise and experience in the field of children law is something which few practitioners in the North East have, and I am sure that it will prove to be invaluable to the family law team and to our clients."

In addition to representing children before the Family court, Cassandra also

52

New addition – Cassandra Spenceley has joined the Family Law team at Ward Hadaway as an Associate.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Why do we need a Modern Slavery Act and what is the impact on British SMEs? Alexandra Besnard

Until 10 years ago, I was naively unaware of the extent or forms that human exploitation still took.

I discovered some aspects of this working in an Immigration and Asylum department, in which we represented young individuals illegally smuggled or legally brought into the UK to work in the sex industry, as “domestics” or forced into marriage. Some of the stories were heart breaking and I did not imagine that the concept of Modern Slavery would remain so prominent nowadays or that it would be necessary to pass a Modern Slavery Act (the “Act”), nearly 200 years after slavery was abolished in the UK. However in an era of globalisation, where child labour and debt bondage are still common, the aim of the Act is to combat all forms of slavery including servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking, not only in the UK but also abroad, in what is referred in the Act as the supply chain, i.e. in companies which supply goods or services to UK-based companies.

Reports suggests that the high risk areas include, but are not limited to, construction, agriculture,

food preparation, processing and packaging, the hospitality sector, nail salons and door-to-door leaflet deliveries.

The Act requires organisations covered by the Act to publish a statement highlighting the steps they have taken to ensure that slavery is not taking place in any part of its business or its supply chain. Because the Act applies to organisations with a global turnover in excess of £36 million, many smaller companies which do not have such a turnover believe that the Act does not apply to them. They have therefore taken no steps to ensure that slavery does not take place in any part of their business or their own supply chain.

This could be a risky tactic if your business supplies goods or services to companies directly covered by the Act. Indeed, you may be asked to provide assurances that your business complies with the Act and to submit a statement confirming the same. Big retailers which will have to publish their statements have started asking for such assurances and could end their business

relationships with suppliers who cannot provide them with guarantees that they also comply with the Act. It is also likely that big businesses will insert anti-slavery clauses in new contracts with their suppliers or when these are renewed.

Ensuring that you are compliant with the Act will protect your business connections and may also enable you to win new tenders or contracts.

Publishing some information on your website will also undoubtedly be good publicity with the public who, nowadays, wants to buy services and goods from ethical businesses.

Therefore putting in place Anti-Slavery policies and reviewing your chain supply to ensure compliance with the Act could make you more attractive to bigger corporations and help you retain existing commercial relationships and even secure new work. In addition, it will give you the satisfaction that you are helping raise standards and make the business world a more transparent and safer place for workers who may previously have been subject to a greater risk of exploitation.

If you are not sure what your duties are, we can help you draft new policies and advise you on the form your statement should take so please feel free to give me a call on 0191 282 2886 or email me at alexandra.besnard@collingwoodlegal.com .

54

ABCurry Club On Thursday 28th April Asian Business Connexions hosted the hugely popular sell-out ABCurry Club at the newly established SME Centre of Excellence at Newcastle College. Guest speakers and supporters included Andrew Hodgson Chair of the North East LEP, UKTI, Microsoft and numerous other enterprise agencies and support organisations who had all come together to launch the exciting new initiative. The next big event is the ABC Annual Dinner on the 14th July.

For further details contact info@abconnexions.org or telephone 0844 2477705

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Effective CEO support networks Andrew Cawkwell

We all need people around us who understand our objectives, challenge us and in who we can confide in.

And no one needs this more than the chief executive of a business, whose power and status can leave them isolated, with a scarcity of peers to openly confide in.

The expectation of leadership is always high, never more so than from the company’s employees who are dependent upon this.

Only the CEO is the final decision-maker on difficult decisions and their wise judgement can be crucial.

Today’s CEO has to deal with constant pressure from boards of directors, shareholders, and the media, to name a few. There are substantial benefits to a CEO developing an effective support network of advisers outside their organisation.

At Muckle LLP, we can act as a conduit for this support for and from the North East business community. Our people can be an independent, external sounding board to offer advice, guidance and a listening ear to CEOs. We have experienced partners who can work with business leaders on developing effective growth strategies and address ways

SPECIALIST AREAS Agriculture Arbitration Business Chancery Costs Crime Employment Family & Matrimonial Finance

Immigration Judicial Review Licensing Mediation Mental Health & Court of Protection Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Planning & Environment Regulatory

NEWCASTLE The Custom House, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DE

Tel: 0191 232 1927

www.trinitychambers.co.uk

to minimise any vulnerability. If we can’t find a solution, we will signpost a CEO to those within our network who are better placed to advise.

One example of this involves us providing company secretarial support to a technology company which enables us to sit in on board discussions and provide strategic high level advice to the management team. This involves a number of additional conversations around the implications of changing business issues which help the chief executive officer to remain focussed.

Whether it’s aspirations for growth or a CEO’s desire to capitalise on difficult trading conditions, there are always options and there are always solutions within a strong business network.

If you’ve got something on your mind, why not 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

Tier 1 ‘Proactive in meeting the needs of clients’ ‘always first rate’ Legal 500 2015 TEESSIDE Multi Media Exchange, 72-80 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2RF

Tel: 01642 247 569

Chambers abides by its Equality and Diversity Policy

BUSINESS INSIGHT

Getting Your Branding Right was for the colour purple applied to the whole surface of a wrapper and also the colour purple.

This meant that within the description there was a whole number of possibilities making it invalid.

When you are looking to protect your brands one thing a business owner should look at is registering their brand at a Trade Mark office. It is relatively cheap to obtain a UK registration starting at £200. But the object of such a registration is to have something to keep your competitors out of your market.

In an attempt to get round this prohibition Cadbury tried to amend their registration so that it was valid. This application was refused, a decision which the High Court agreed with.

Maybe it is the relatively low cost or the apparent simplicity of the process that makes business owners think that it is an easy process. It is anything but that and the travails of Cadbury trying to protect the colour purple for their chocolate bars should act as a high profile warning to potential applicants that it pays to get it right

The upshot is that Cadbury do not have a registered trade mark they can use to prevent other people, particularly supermarkets, from selling chocolate in purple wrappers. Chocolate is big business in the UK with an estimated value of £4 billion. Cadbury is a market leader and people associate them with the colour purple; this oversight means others can tap in to that brand association.

The purple trade mark was first registered

by Cadbury in the UK in 1995. The mark was to protect the colour purple as a trade mark for the colour purple ‘being the predominant colour applied to the whole visible surface of a wrapper’. The Court of Appeal held that the mark had not been validly registered as it

The message is get your brand protection right at the outset and don’t leave it to chance.

If you need any help with registering your Brands contact: McDaniel & Co., Suite 2.07, Northern Design Centre, Abbotts Hill, Baltic Business Quarter, Gateshead, NE8 3DF. 0191 281 4000 www.mcdanielslaw.com email: legal@mcdanielslaw.com

Newcastle property specialists appointed to major bank’s panel Malcolm Angus, Associate Partner at Johnson Tucker

UK banking giant, Lloyds Bank has added North East-based commercial property specialists Johnson Tucker to its trusted valuation panel.

The bank, which has a network of 1,300 branches across its UK network, has installed Johnson Tucker onto its prestigious Lloyds Bank Valuation Panel for Secured Lending.

They become the fifth financial institution to add Johnson Tucker to its carefully selected panel. Handelsbanken, Allied Irish Bank, Newcastle Building Society and Yorkshire Bank are other major banking institutions who all now call on the experience of the team at Johnson Tucker to determine sensitive valuation matters against lending in the region.

Malcolm Angus, Associate Partner at Johnson Tucker, said: “We’re thrilled to be added to Lloyds Banks trusted panel of advisors.

“We have a deep understanding of the region’s commercial property market and that’s something Lloyds are keen to tap into. They now sit alongside other leading financial institutions who trust the Johnson Tucker team with what is a combined 100 years of valuations experience.”

Johnson Tucker operates from bases in Newcastle and Washington and has been running for ten years in the North East, specialising in commercial property management, building surveying, valuations and investment advice.

It has recently started to expand its property management function and manages a range of commercial and high-tenancy domestic properties.

www.johnsontucker.co.uk

58

Meet...

Geoff

Heavy rock is his passion! From Motorhead to Black Star Riders, Geoff has rocked out at concerts by legendary bands and is always looking for their next tour dates.

Geoff is our Head of Residential Conveyancing, he specialises in Residential Conveyancing, Equity Release and Operations Management.

Speak to Geoff to see how he can help you, call 0191 389 5128 or email geoff.hall@gblf.co.uk

Real People. Really great lawyers.

Magic Weekend Rugby Leagues Dacia Magic Weekend recently took place at St.James' Park Newcastle with 12 teams playing 6 matches over 2 days in a fantastic event for the City.

To kickstart the event Dacias local dealer Lookers Newcastle welcomed England and Wigan Warriors Captain Sean O'Loughlin and Warrington Wolves Captain to their showroom to meet fans.

Rikki Ledger, General Manager at Lookers Newcastle said "We were really excited for Dacia to host the Magic Weekend and wanted to share that excitement with people in the local area ahead of the action."

Dacia has enjoyed the most successful launch of any new car brand in the UK and has sold over 75000 vehicles since launching here in 2013.

BUSINESS INSIGHT

CLR Law is a niche law firm specialising in employment law and HR.We provide no nonsense practical advice to a range of clients across the public, private and charitable sectors.

Contact us today.

7-8 Delta Bank Road| Metro Riverside Park, Gateshead |NE11 9DJ t:0191 603 0061 e:hello@clrlaw.co.uk.

“

the service provided is friendly, approachable, patient and pragmatic

�

PROPERTY INSIGHT

A New Look….A New Home

Jan Dale talks to Jo Emms of UrbanDesign Now is a great time for a new look - a new home. Whether you’re looking to take the first step on the property ladder or are searching for something bigger to accommodate your growing family – NEW is for everyone.

A family/professional home in today’s environment needs to encompass and deliver on luxury style whilst remaining practical and able to meet the modern day to day demands of modern family life.

Designs for your new-look new home are all about artfully creating a home which reflect a contemporary approach to living, both inside and outside, through the use of plush tactile fabrics, material and textures to ignite the senses whilst maintaining an element of classic comfort.

Drawing inspiration from your surroundings and dressing your home to maximise the potential is key.

Using classical colours in the bedrooms with the addition of a feature wall will create a sense of focus in each of the rooms. Dressing windows

with luxurious styled fabrics will compliment the room scheme well.

Create a family hub with a spacious modern open plan kitchen, ideal for providing dining facilities and a relaxing area. So together everyone can enjoy the hub of modern family life.

A stylish lounge offers a relaxing entertaining area or the opportunity to retreat from the hustle and bustle of day to day life.

Take indoors out into the garden, allowing you to extend your internal space with a patio or decking area. Create separate areas of the garden; the impressive entrance, dining and relaxing in a formal section of the garden. Thoughtful planning and dressing of the garden with a selection of plants, shrubs and planters will be sure to continue the WOW factor outdoors too.

Contact Jan Dale at URBAN BASE for all your private property needs. E: info@urban-base.com T: 0845 6431186

62

URBAN Base We didn’t invent exceptional property service.

We just deliver it!

Contact us to arrange a FREE property consultation today - Sales, Rental & Urban Interiors www.urban-base.com NEWCASTLE 65 Quayside Newcastle City NE1 3DE

DURHAM 61 Saddler St Durham City DH1 3NU

MARKETING SUITE Number Fourteen Maling Street NE6 1LP

SALES & RENTALS • LAND & NEW HOMES SPECIALISTS • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • FINANCIAL SERVICES • INTERIOR DESIGN

Did the Colonel do it?

The first event in Cricketer Phil Mustard’s Benefit Year “Did the Colonel do it?’ Murder Mystery took place recently at The Towers in Jesmond. Guests were treated to a murder before and after dinner. With just 6 events planned for Phil’s benefit year, this event set the tone for some unique entertainment in aid of some great charities and the regions favourite cricket player.

More information at www.colonelbenefit2016.com

PROPERTY INSIGHT

The four bedroom detached home at Dere Street Home’s unique Hill Top Farm development.

The Dairy at Hill Top Farm Dere Street Homes have released another of the final six homes remaining for sale at their exclusive Hill Top Farm development. The Dairy is a four bedroom detached home with an integral single garage which occupies one of the prime corner sites on the exclusive development, located off Pittington Lane adjacent to Ramside Hall Hotel just outside Durham City.

The corner plot location of this detached home boasts breath taking views across the country side and surrounding golf courses. The central hall leads into the open plan kitchen with a double height dining area which is bathed in natural light from the elegant French doors and expansive glass which covers both floors of the property. A spacious living room, sweeping the entire length of the home, features doors leading out onto the rear garden whilst The Dairy also has a home office situated on the ground floor.

Stairs lead up to a galleried landing with views

across the garden and golf course. The master bedroom is complete with en-suite facilities and a large separate dressing room. Bedroom two also benefits from en-suite facilities whilst bedrooms three and four share the family bathroom.

The Dairy is released for sale at £735,000.

Sales and Marketing Manager, Marie McQuaid, commented, “We’ve released the Dairy ahead of schedule in light of customer demand - there’s been a lot of pressure to secure one of the corner plots on the site as they obviously enjoy prime locations and, with our first residents already moved in, we’re

sure this home will be sold very quickly” Energy saving has also been a priority at the development with heat recovery systems taking the heat from bathroom and kitchen vented air to heat fresh air entering the homes. Under-floor heating to ground and first floors together with open fireplaces and tripled glazed windows create the best of both worlds – low energy utilisation with abundant light in the homes. The luxury homes also come complete with a one year’s complimentary membership to both the Golf Club and Ramside Hall Hotel’s new Spa and Leisure Club.

Prices for those homes currently released for sale start from £425,000 with full details avaiable from Jan Gill, the on-site Development Sales Manager 07983 080952 or www.derestreethomes.co.uk

66

PLOT 8 - THE DAIRY FOUR BEDROOM DETACHED HOME CORNER PLOT

Showhome Interior

PRICE £735,000

Showhome Interior

Showhome Interior

SHOWHOME OPEN THURS - MON 10.00AM - 5.00PM Hill Top Farm, Off Pittington Lane, Carrville, Durham, DH1 5TD

t. 07983 080952 e. jangill@derestreethomes.co.uk

www.derestreethomes.co.uk @derestreethomes

derestreethomes

DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING HOMES OF CHARACTER & INTEGRITY

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

The West Wing, Angerton Hall, Hartburn, Morpeth

Price Guide: £750,000 This fabulous country home offers quality period accommodation in a majestic setting, with stunning far reaching views from its elevated position to the south and west. The Hall, built by John Dobson in the early 19th Century, was remodelled extensively in the 1950’s and divided into two wings. The West Wing, which has four double bedrooms, was purchased by the current owners in 2013 and has been renovated to an extremely high standard with quality interior design, beautiful high ceilings, stunning plasterwork, marble fireplace, sash windows and working shutters. The gardens extend to 0.75 acres and offer large recreation areas for families with open lawns leading down to a stone ha ha overlooking the adjacent parkland and meadow. There is a stunning courtyard, beautifully landscaped with fabulous lighting, a private driveway, large double plus detached garage, outbuildings and a dog run to the side of the woodland.

Contact rare! From Sanderson Young on 0191 2233500 ashleigh.sundin@sandersonyoung.co.uk www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

68

STANNINGTON PARK I OFF GREEN LANE I STANNINGTON I NE61 6AT

More of everything inside.

This prestigious development offers a traditional village setting with 4 & 5 bedroom homes boasting a high level of specification.

STAMP DUTY PAID*

Inside : †

Everything and more outside.

• Roca sanitaryware • Steam oven • Warming drawer • Wine cooler cabinet • Appliances including a coffee maker and an additional freezer in the utility • Allowance towards ‘Hammonds’ wardrobes • Bi-fold doors on selected plots • Motorised double garage doors

Outside:

All this from only £449,995

Click: www.bellway.co.uk Call: 01670 789 572 Visit: Monday 12.00pm - 5.30pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 11.00am - 5.30pm, Thursday 11.00am - 8.00pm, Friday - Sunday 11.00am - 5.30pm.

• Excellent gastro pub/ boutique hotel on your doorstep • Beautiful landscaped boulevards • Desirable location for access to local schools • Acres of open space including a communal recreation area • Excellently situated for access to the A1 • Miles of walks starting right from your doorstep • A short distance from the award winning Northumberland Coast • Stunning rural landscapes • Set in the heart of Northumberland

Prices correct at time of going to press. Images are for illustrative purposes only and may include optional upgrades at additional cost. *Available on selected plots only and not in conjunction with any other offer. Not available on second purchase homes. †Specification varies between plots and is subject to change and availability.

PROPERTY INSIGHT

Bradley Hall Managing Director Neil Hart (left) and Operational Manager Peter Bartley

How could you benefit from property management?

With demand for lettings in the North East on the rise, Neil Hart, Managing Director of Bradley Hall chartered surveyors and estate agents, reflects on how you could benefit from property management.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors recently predicted an increase of over 4% in the amount of revenue generated from rental income per annum over the next five years in the North East. This indicates that opportunities for property investors are set to grow following a period of uncertainty.

However managing a property or a portfolio of properties can be a time consuming and stressful task.

Owning and letting properties, whilst having the potential of being incredibly financially beneficial, can get in the way of family life, careers and social commitments. Can professional property management take the burden away whilst maximising a return on your investment?

When executed by experts, effective property management can have a significant and positive impact on your rental properties, resulting in a largely effortless profit once your original investment has been made.

Bradley Hall currently manages over 600 residential and commercial properties for clients,

along with a rising rent roll of almost ÂŁ5m per annum. Our expert team, led by myself and fellow director Peter Bartley, are highly trained to offer specialist services to clients including property and asset management, accounts and facilities management.

Our current, and growing, portfolio includes a range of well-presented residential properties across the North East, as well as a range of commercial properties including retail and industrial units, offices restaurants and bars. We operate from offices in Newcastle city centre, Gosforth, Durham, Alnwick and Morpeth to market a high standard of properties across the region.

The financial side of property management can be daunting to those who aren’t industry experts, and it can be easy to miss details when compiling information to complete a VAT return, ensuring all income and expenditure is taken care of and liaising with accountants. Expert financial advice is on hand and all monetary aspects of property management are taken care of.

The Bradley Hall team work with clients to agree and deliver a clear plan for maximising the return from your property with asset management plans, designed specifically to manage your property or properties in a businesslike manner, with tactics to ensure every aspect is covered.

A professional property manager will ensure a better quality of tenant. When screening tenants, we know how to analyse applications and spot any key warning signs. Experience provides us with the tools to pick out a tenant who will take care of the property, resulting in less wear and tear, as well as the ability to choose reliable tenants who will consistently pay rent on time. Our team also conduct rent renewals with tenants to ensure they rent the property for a longer period, leading to shorter vacancy cycles and more profit for investors.

Day to day property management, including dealing with tenant issues, maintenance on your property and its contents, and setting service charge budgets are taken care of by your specified Bradley Hall property manager.

These are just some of the property management services we offer to our clients. If you would like to have a conversation with one of our expert advisers on how we can help you, please contact the Bradley Hall Grey Street office on 0191 232 8080.

For more information on Bradley Hall please visit www.bradleyhall.co.uk

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PROPERTY INSIGHT

Move in for summer at luxury Nunthorpe housing development Local housebuilder, David Wilson Homes North East, is urging house hunters who are looking to buy in the Middlesbrough area and be settled in their new home for summer, to visit its luxury Grey Towers Village development in Nunthorpe, which features a collection of traditional three, four and five bedroom homes with bespoke exterior designs, surrounded by a beautiful pond, woodland area and nature trails.

Buyers visiting Grey Towers Village can now purchase the stunning Blackthorne housetype, a beautiful five bedroom, three-storey home with a generous lounge, family room, dining room and kitchen with a beautiful orangery. Upstairs leads to four bedrooms, one with an en suite, and a family bathroom, whilst the second floor has a den and fifth bedroom with an en suite. The Blackthorne is now available to buy from £499,995.

Homes at the Grey Towers Village development are available to purchase with David Wilson Homes’ Part Exchange scheme, which means that buyers are left with no Estate Agent fees at the end of the sale and no chain to slow down the moving process. By taking advantage of the Part Exchange scheme, buyers are able to move into their new property in as little as four weeks, stress and hassle free.

Steven Ball, Sales Manager for Grey Towers Village, commented: “Grey Towers Village is a fantastic development in a beautiful setting with gorgeous scenery surrounding the site. We would advise buyers to come along and truly experience the affordable luxury of the development. We also want to combat the general misconception that buying a house takes months and months - that isn’t the case, we have a wide range of properties available for people to move into ready for the summer.”

To find out more about Grey Towers Village or to book an appointment, please visit: www.dwh.co.uk

We believe in the power of great stories.

MEDIA NEWS

PR agency toasts nationwide triumph of 25 wine schools

A leading North East PR firm’s work with a wine franchise network is coming to fruition with the launch of a 25th wine school and a prestigious award win.

Uniquethinking, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, works with client Chris Powell, founder of localwineschool.com - the UK’s leading independent wine education network, which consists of 25 franchised wine schools from Glasgow to the south coast of England. Chris

has been presented with the wine industry’s top award for education – the ‘Riedel WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) Educator of the Year Award’ - for the outstanding performance of his rapidly expanding company.

The award marks 16 years since Chris set up the original Wine School in Newcastle to provide independent, relaxed and fun wine tasting sessions, professional WSET wine courses and private wine tasting for corporate entertainment.

The original concept proved to be so successful that Chris decided to replicate the business model across other city locations, and enlisted the support of Uniquethinking to help launch a series of wine school franchises across England and Scotland.

Uniquethinking has since worked in partnership with localwineschool.com to successfully launch 25 unit franchises.

North East marketing consultancy expands its offering MBM’s Managing Director, Myk Baxter, said: “I’m very excited about the launch of our new printing service, adding this to our portfolio is a great way to celebrate our sixth year in business.

“With this new offering, MBM will be able to offer a fully integrated online and print campaign, meaning we can upsell our services and retain clients under the MBM brand.”

On the future of MBM, Myk said: “I hope that we continue to grow, and adapt to the times, the online marketing industry is evolving so quickly, It’s exciting, but also scary. You can’t control what kind of technology is created or when it will be released.”

A leading North East digital marketing consultancy has launched a new printing service, in a move that reaffirms its commitment to its clients, as it enters its sixth year in business.

Darlington-based Myk Baxter Marketing (MBM), which has provided online marketing services since its inception in 2010, will now be offering over 200 printed products, such as business cards, stationery and leaflets.

The move comes after high demand from MBM’s existing client base, which includes Temp Team, Aardvarc Electrical, Crunch Time Media and Haringey Sixth Form College.

Ready, Steady, Growth!

So far this year, the company has been included in the Prolific North Top 50 Digital Agencies and nominated for Best Large SEO Agency at the European Search Awards. Most recently, the agency has been shortlisted for the Best Digital Marketing Campaign and Best Use of Search and CRO awards at the prestigious Big Chip Awards 2016.

In October 2015, Mediaworks was named the Fastest Growing Small Business of 2015 at Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 Awards.

Just over six months later and the award-winning digital marketing agency is still expanding. With a growing headcount, exciting client portfolio and fitto-burst trophy cabinet, there are no plans to stop either.

INSIGHT MEETS INSPIRATION Media News brought to you in partnership with 73

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MEDIA INSIGHT

Ask Silver Bullet John Dias, Managing Director of Silver Bullet

“

”

With so many marketing platforms now competing for our limited resources, how on earth do we choose where to spend?

It sometimes seems like a minefield, doesn’t it? Each media platform, whether this be broadcast, Internet, external or traditional printed media, direct mail, design and print, exhibitions, tele-marketing, public relations, sponsorship or the host of new technical terms the marketing profession has invented for itself claims to be almost the Holy Grail, achieving the maximum Return on Investment (RoI) from your budget – they can’t all be right!

Successful marketing isn’t simply a result of how much you spend but rather a result of both how much and where you spend. The latest IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau) Report of 14 April, revealed that UK advertisers spent a record £8.61bn on digital advertising last year with ad spend on mobile devices driving the majority of this spend. Currently, all the statistics are showing that digital marking is delivering a better RoI than other techniques or platforms but, in truth, this might also be because traditional marketing is harder to measure, not that it’s less effective.

The essential elements to consider are profiling your customers or clients so that you know their demographic, location and purchasing habits and understand their road to purchase so that

you know what keeps them on that road to spending with you and, conversely, what will take them off the same road and divert them to your competitors or not spending at all.

Once you understand these, you can then move onto your choice of marketing platforms – there’s a lot of highly generalised rules of thumb to choose from here – PR is generally accepted to be one of the most cost-effective tools in a marketer’s armoury, whilst digital media platforms, especially social media, is highly effective in reaching a younger audience. TV advertising is in a state of turmoil with multiple channels and younger audiences completely ignoring schedules and watching on demand.

Radio and outdoor media remain consistently effective with direct mail useful for certain demographic groups but surpassed by direct email for others. The list could go on…

It is at this point you may consider seeking some professional advice from an agency. They will be able to guide you through your options of both choice and quantity. The best campaigns are inevitably integrated, mixing different platforms to deliver high quality and the required consistent content – the messages and branding in your PR, brochures, social media, printed and digital

adverts, exhibitions and events, for example, need to be consistent and accurate.

Different media will always promote themselves as the best platform to market your products and services whereas a media neutral agency will not only be able to help you choose the media best suited for your particular products or services, but will also be able to purchase it on your behalf, usually achieving better value through their experience than you could do on your own. Indeed, there are specific media buying agencies who perform only this function, just as there are specific PR, digital, event management, design and advertising agencies but these may not be media neutral and will push their own specialisation just as one particular media channel would do.

So, my advice would be to go with an integrated agency that offers a full range of services and can show a proven track record of expertise with clients, preferably whom you know.

Of course, you can always do it in-house if you feel confident in your marketing expertise but sometimes some external assistance in specialist areas isn’t a bad idea…

Do you need to some assistance with your marketing? 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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#AskSB

I've a feeling

we're not in Kansas anymore...

Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

If Ad-Blockers, Adwords, Affiliates, Above or Below the Line, Analytics, Branding, Blogging, Bounce Rate, Cascading Style Sheets, Click Through Rates, Content and CMS have got you thoroughly confused before you’ve really started down the Yellow Brick Road, maybe it’s time we talked...

When marketing and media choice all gets a bit too much, we can guide you through the marketing mix, providing a no-nonsense, professional and fully integrated service that has been helping a wide range of international, national and regional clients since 1999.

Silver Bullet: your full service agency

Are you in need of some marketing clarity? Talk to us @SilverBulletPR

Hello@silverbulletmarketing.co.uk

www.silverbulletmarketing.co.uk

t: 0191 261 7422

MEDIA INSIGHT Christian Cerisola

Facebook at Work? It’ll work for Facebook Remember the times when scores of businesses banned the use of social media during office hours? It was a dangerous practice not relevant for the working environment, it was too difficult to monitor and was an out and out waste of time and resource.

There’s no doubt many of you might still be discouraged from using social platforms during working hours and, in no uncertain terms, are made clear of what your company’s acceptable usage terms are.

and information. It draws on all the best communications features of Facebook: closed groups, one to one and group messaging via text or video and ‘walls’ on which to post.

It’s sad to see fear overrule opportunity in this manner, but I grant the naysayers that there’s seemingly no end to the case studies of social media gone wrong at work. Stupid people will do what stupid will people do.

Shorn are all the things you hate about regular Facebook. There’s no ads on Facebook at Work, no inappropriate updates from that ‘mate’ at school you never liked anyway, no ‘my daughter just did her first poop’ post from share-everything-proudmum. It all sounds pretty appealing.

So why would Facebook be beavering away at rolling out their new work-only platform called Facebook at Work? You cant go a week without hearing that ‘Facebook’s dead’ so why are they ploughing more investment and resource into a work platform that nobody will be allowed to use? As I’ve argued previously, Facebook isn’t dying: it just changes.

Instead, you’re using Facebook to create secure groups with your colleagues in other parts of the business. The next floor down, in other offices, out in the field (we’re always on our mobile devices, remember) or in other countries. Facebook’s (half decent) instant translation tool kicks in here.

Groups can be separated by teams, topics, specific projects and themes.

Facebook at Work is an acknowledgement that its platform still faces competition from them upstairs who view it as unnecessary distraction.

But they seem to be making a pretty decent fist of things once again.

It’s grey colour scheme is a departure from regular blue (very serious and businessy) and requires new log ins. None of the information you post or share on Facebook at Work appears on your regular Facebook feed. Unsurprisingly though, you’re only ever one click from switching to your regular Facebook account.

So what exactly is Facebook at Work?

Well, it ticks all the boxes for contemporary working practices. It offers a secure internal communications platform for work colleagues to collaborate, update and share ideas

When more and more businesses are adopting a ‘work anywhere’ ethic, this feels a very clever and smart move and will undoubtedly eat into

the likes of Yammer and Slack, other internal communications and collaboration tools that are becoming increasingly popular as we seek to reduce inbox traffic and move away from the traditional office environment.

The major advantage Facebook at Work has over these other platforms is that its usability is already so familiar. Everyone knows how to use Facebook. Everyone will know, therefore, how to use Facebook at Work. Reported adoption rates of the platform where it has been implemented are very high.

Heineken and Royal Bank of Scotland have been two major high profile users in this early testing phase and the reports back from RBS are that they’re finding it hugely beneficial, shedding desperately cumbersome email threads and breaking down a lot of hierarchical barriers.

Facebook still hasn’t rolled this out in a major fashion yet, and whispers of what seem to be inevitable charges are growing. They remain low in comparison to the competition. Despite its rather low key approach so far, it is rumoured to have more than 60,000 UK businesses eager to sign up to make use of the platform already.

It’s certainly one to watch.

Christian Cerisola is Director at GluePR. www.gluepr.co.uk @chritianceriso

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SPOTLIGHT

Want your business to be in the spotlight?

Talk to the PR specialists at MHW PR...

We storyboard and implement communications campaigns that build client reputations. That involves generating and distributing persuasive, engaging content - online and offline.

We have years of knowledge to help make our clients more famous, putting them centre stage. We work across a range of business sectors from the corporate world to industrial, healthcare and hospitality.

Please call if you need your business putting in the spotlight.

Tel:0191 233 1300

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MEDIA INSIGHT Sarah Hall

Mind the pay gap: How to achieve parity in PR UK business has a major issue with equal pay, with women working “for free” for an hour and 40 minutes a day, according to research by the Chartered Management Institute and XPertHR. In female-dominated industries like PR, the problem is even more acute.

In July 2015, the Government announced plans to make large companies publish the difference in earnings between male and female staff in a bid to ensure equal pay.

may admittedly be beyond the capabilities and cost base of many smaller companies, PwC’s best practice and forward-thinking stance is one we can all learn from. Employers should look to follow suit.

This major disparity is compounded by the problem of senior female talent dropping out after maternity leave. Many practitioners cite being unable to balance work and life pressures.

Currently in Britain, female workers are paid on average 19.1% less than their male counterparts and this applies across both full-time and parttime positions, according to the Office of National Statistics.

It’s hard to name one employer in the communications business focusing on the problem in this way.

It is imperative we break down the barriers that prevent women progressing in the workplace.

While the new regulations will only apply to those employing more than 250 staff, it’s a step in the right direction. Gender pay transparency is one sure fire way to creating a fairer job market.

Management teams need to be accountable for the recruitment and reward measures they put in place if parity is to be achieved and then maintained.

Publishing salary data means directors have nowhere to hide and forces them to deal with discrepancies.

Change can be fast and effective There are a handful of UK businesses already committed to this course of action. Their results underline how quickly change can be effected.

Take PwC, which in November 2014 was the first in its sector to undertake and publish pay gap analysis after two years reporting its diversity targets.

It identified an immediate issue with the balance of senior talent and trebled the number of female internal promotions compared to the previous twelve months. A lack of women in senior positions often plays a sizeable part of the pay gap.

The top four accountancy firm also introduced a range of initiatives that help its people achieve their potential, from Board level mentoring schemes, women’s leadership programmes to diversity training.

While replicating its now annual equal pay review

We can’t wait any longer It’s a critical issue for the media, marketing and public relations sector and one we need urgently to deal with.

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has identified a consistent salary discrepancy of around £10k in favour of men over the four years it has tracked data. This cannot be explained by any other factor such as length of service, seniority, parenthood, or a higher prevalence of part-time work among women.

It’s a sobering thought when over two-thirds of practitioners in the profession are female.

It’s a business not a gender issue The gender pay gap will only become a thing of the past when all organisations have to publish salary data to show they are complying with legislation.

Employers can make a big difference however if they are prepared to be ethical, honest and employ best practice.

The Government Equalities Office states that closing the gender pay gap could add 10% to the size of our economy by 2030.

A female-dominated industry like public relations should be an exemplar to others. The challenge is for us to make it a reality.

Ten steps for achieving parity of pay 1. Be transparent with your pay structures 2. Use an HR specialist for your people and performance needs 3. Have a Board with an even gender balance (only ever use quotas as an interim measure) 4. Monitor hires and promotions by gender and diversity 5. Adopt agile working as a business model and consider part-time and job share solutions, as well as freelance support 6. Support parents in identifying and securing affordable childcare 7. Enable access to leadership programmes 8. Signpost to/deliver mentoring schemes 9. Normalise shared parental leave 10. Use language carefully – agile over flexible working every time.

Source: #FuturePRoof - www.futureproofingcomms.co.uk

MEDIA INSIGHT

Ready, steady, growth!

In October 2015, Mediaworks was named the Fastest Growing Small Business of 2015 at Ward Hadaway’s Fastest 50 Awards.

Brett Jacobson,

As well as running a successful apprenticeship program, Mediaworks is still actively recruiting fresh talent to further bolster their team.

Just over six months later and the award-winning digital marketing agency is still expanding. With a growing headcount, exciting client portfolio and fit-to-burst trophy cabinet, there are no plans to stop either. Here, we review the agency’s current performance and future plans:

A portfolio to be proud of As the agency has grown, so has Mediaworks’ reputation for excellence. Widely considered an industry leader, the agency’s portfolio reads as a who’s who of successful brands. And, as a growing number of businesses make Mediaworks their first choice, their client list looks set to expand even further in the coming months.

Recognised industry-wide Of course, the agency’s exceptional work hasn’t gone unnoticed.

In fact, Mediaworks has become something of a regular on industry award shortlists and 2016 is no different.

So far this year, the company has been included in the Prolific North Top 50 Digital Agencies and nominated for Best Large SEO Agency at the European Search Awards. Most recently, the agency has been shortlisted for the Best Digital Marketing Campaign and Best Use of Search and CRO awards at the prestigious Big Chip Awards 2016.

From multi-national Blue-Chip clients to household names, the agency delivers a range of services, including Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Paid Search (PPC) and Web Development, across a number of industries, helping to bolster digital profiles and strengthen online performance.

A growing team

Despite its success on a national and indeed global scale, Mediaworks remains proud of its North East roots. The agency recently became the digital partner of the Cairn Hotel Group, another locally based powerhouse.

People are intrinsic to the current performance and future growth of Mediaworks. Recognising the changing needs of the agency, the company has been restructured to include four new directors, who will support the business during its current period of rapid growth.

Speaking of the agency’s incredible performance, Brett Jacobson, Mediaworks’ Managing Director, said: “We’re not even halfway through 2016 and it’s already shaping up to be a monumental year. From our growing headcount to impressive portfolio and award nominations, we are successfully paving the way to meet our future growth plans. It’s an incredibly exciting time for everyone here at Mediaworks”.

The agency has also recruited across all delivery teams, welcoming 30 new recruits to the business since the start of 2016. From SEO Executives to Developers and Content Strategists, each department has been strengthened by the addition of new staff, helping to lay the foundations for continued growth in the future.

Want to work with a leading digital agency with a bright future? Mediaworks can help you succeed online - get in touch on 0191 404 0100 or email info@mediaworks.co.uk.

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MEDIA INSIGHT

Advertising has grown up in the past ten years, where will we be in 2026?

Full service marketing, advertising and digital agency The Works have reached their milestone tenth birthday this year.

Here, in the second instalment of a three-part series, Managing Partner, Ian Oswald, and Digital Director, Tim Mather, discuss how advertising has changed over the past 10 years with the evolution of digital media.

When we launched The Works back in 2006, the idea of being able to target an individual with an advert tailored specifically to their personal likes and dislikes and track their journey through the buying cycle, was just that- an idea. Now, targeted ads are the norm.

The way we advertise our clients’ products and services has completely changed in the past 10 years as the range of platforms available have dramatically increased and the lines between PR, marketing and advertising have blurred.

Looking back to 2006, the majority of our advertising campaigns focused on printed ads in newspapers and magazines, direct mail pieces, TV and radio. Although we still use these tools, they’re no longer the workhorse of every campaign we do- they’re part of a much broader mix. And, as the types of work we produce for our clients has changed, the creation of behindthe-scenes analytics packages and data tracking services have completely transformed the advertising world.

Ten years ago, it was difficult to evaluate how many people bought a product or registered their interest for an event as a result of seeing your advert (unless they cut it out of the paper and brought it to an event with them of course!) Now, there are a range of techniques readily available to assess the impact a placement has had. These tools give us insights into how effective the various media channels we’re using are at that point in time, how many people have seen our ads, how many people have responded to them, how many people have seen the ad but haven’t registered for an event, or how many people registered for the event and then didn’t turn upall useful data that allows us to adapt strategies, placements and messaging going forward to

ensure campaigns are as effective as they possibly can be- something which was nigh on impossible ten years ago.

It’s undeniable that we now live in a digitally focused world, however, contrary to popular belief, that doesn’t mean we’re all choosing digital media over traditional media. Yes, our clients’ priorities have moved into how their content works online first, but we must still consider how content works across more traditional methods, as they are still very effective communication tools. There never has and never will be a onesize fits all approach to advertising- it’s all about what works for the audience you’re trying to target.

As the importance of return on investment has increased over the last decade, being able to evaluate campaigns and make changes in real-time has become increasingly integral. In a recent online sales brochure produced for one of our clients, we noted from looking at analytics that a high volume of people were only viewing to about half way through the publication before leaving. You would always expect a certain percentage of drop out, (not many people read a sales brochure cover to cover online or offline for that matter), but the problem was that the key information we wanted customers to see was in the latter half of the brochure. So, we altered the flow and structure of the content based on this insight and in doing so, managed to increase both the number of pages viewed per customer as well as the total number of customers viewing the publication, in turn raising product sales by around 40 per cent.

Clearly, technology will continue to evolve over the next ten years, and the importance digital media plays in the mix will only become more

integral. Re-targeting advertising is one of the areas we see having a huge impact on the future of advertising. Re-targeting works by keeping track of the customers who visit a website, and then displaying related adverts to that customer when they visit certain other sites- with the aim of converting a browser into a buyer. Social media re-targeting in particular is an area that will become very popular with clients- especially when you have the likes of social media giants Instagram recently announcing their plans to offer re-targeting after parent company Facebook found it to be successful, it won’t be too long before other platforms follow suit. It makes sense- who wouldn’t want to increase the odds of getting an ad in front of someone who is interested in your product or service and then have them follow your social media account at the same time so you can continue to target them in the future- it’s a win win situation.

By 2026, the faint line in the sand splitting PR, marketing and advertising will have been completely washed away and advertising will have matured and got clever. Just imagine if you could pre-target customers and show potential buyers your product or service designed to solve their problem, before they actively look for a solution (or your competitors).

If the past decade is anything to go by, then the next ten years will certainly be an exciting time for our industry. The days of your favourite pizza shop sending you a message to alert you to a generic 50 per cent off deal will be long gone and in return, you’ll get a push notification telling you that you can get the pizza you like to eat, in your chosen size at a fraction of the cost, but only if you walk into the shop and order it now as you’re passing…Sounds good to us!

To find out more about what we do and how we can help you, visit wearetheworks.com or email info@wearetheworks.com #TheWorks10

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MEDIA INSIGHT

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TECHNOLOGY NEWS

ITPS team walk over hot coals for charity A team from IT experts ITPS joined over 80 walkers who turned up to put their feet on the line and brave up to 520-degree temperatures in a firewalk hot coals challenge in aid of the Percy Hedley Foundation.

Organisers UK Firewalk were quick to reassure people showing any last minute nerves, and despite the awful weather, the outdoor event went ahead at Baltic Mill, Gateshead and was a huge success with passers by stopping in the rain to cheer on the brave participants. The ITPS team raised over £250 for Percy Hedley, which is one of three corporate charities they support.

Newcastle’s Calibre sees first quarter sales increase A raft of new work and strong demand in the education and local authority sectors have propelled growth at a fast expanding Newcastle IT firm during the first quarter of the year.

Science Central-based Calibre Secured Networks Ltd, which provides IT, network support services and online security expertise to customers across the UK and Europe, saw a 30% growth in sales during January, February and March 2016.

The news confirms that the firm is on track to break the £1m barrier within three years as part of an ambitious growth strategy that has already seen the relocation to new premises and an expanding team of technicians.

Work to complete a new IT infrastructure at social housing provider Eastlands Housing in Manchester and upgrades to Wrexham County Borough Council’s network have driven turnover to £750,000.

Additional work at West Park School, Darlington and ongoing contractual support work at multinational enterprise software giant Sage has further secured growth for the 10 strong Calibre team.

Calibre is also continuing to invest in a highly skilled and industry accredited workforce as it gears up to meet demand – its currently recruiting for several new sales, technical engineering and apprenticeship roles.

This is the latest success for founders Karen and Steve Nelson who said the tranche of work is among a host of contracts that the company will be delivering this year that are providing the drivers for the provision of new services and expertise.

Managing Director Karen Nelson commented “We are seeing continuing strong demand for our services as economic confidence holds-up and organisations

in public sector, in particular, eschew traditional approaches to IT provision and service support.

“This is reflected by our best ever quarter for sales, which not only saw us win new customers but, equally pleasing, secure extensions to existing clients.”

Golden days for IT firm Advantex A fast growing Gateshead IT company has achieved one of the software industry’s top supplier awards.

Advantex Networked Solutions Ltd, which provides IT, network and communications services to customers across the UK, has attained Microsoft Gold Partner Status as a mid-market solutions provider.

The Follingsby Park-based firm joins the select group of companies worldwide who are a Microsoft Gold Partner – the highest level possible within the software giant’s

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network.

The move follows work by a number of Advantex’s engineers to achieve specific accreditations and deliver a high level of satisfaction among the company’s Microsoft customers, further strengthening its position as one of North East’s leading IT suppliers.

Advantex, which has been using Microsoft products for the last six years, employs 60 people and has built a £5 million turnover on the back of new business with clients such as GE Oil & Gas and Rockliffe Hall.

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

www.itps.co.uk

@ITPSltd

0191 442 8300

Are you getting the most out of your handheld devices?

Hands up who only uses 5% of their smartphone’s features?

It’s a common problem, with so many new devices, apps and business collaboration software platforms constantly coming onto the market and being adopted into the workplace.

The launch of our partnership with a team of experts is set to help the business community get more out of its devices, and improve their efficiency.

Our world assures yours

Contact us today to find out more:

call 0191 or email

442 8300

contact@itps.co.uk www.itps.co.uk

ITPS Golf Day It was snow joke for guests of ITPS at its Spring golf event at Close House.

With the arrival of Spring and with it, the beginning of ‘golf season,’ IT experts ITPS organised an eventful morning of golf for clients and partners at the prestigious Close House golf club. Sadly the typical Spring weather didn’t show up for the first tee and instead the winter snow set the scene for the keen golfers. Undeterred, they enjoyed the hospitality and a day on the course in conditions they wouldn’t forget in a hurry.

TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

Are you getting the most out of your technology?

Jane Adamson, Knetic Education

Hands up who only uses a fraction of their smartphone or tablet’s features? If so, you’re not alone.

It’s a common problem among business users, with new devices and tools constantly coming on to the market and being adopted into the workplace.

Our new partnership with a team of experts in handheld devices and digital media is set to help the business community get more out of technology including tablets, smartphones and other digital tools.

skills to teachers and students. When the local authority took the decision to disband the inhouse team, private sector organisation Knetic Education was launched to meet the continuing demand from schools.

Experts say that a typical smartphone user will only use five percent of its features, and since manufacturers tend not to provide much advice on how to get the best out of a new device, it is often left to the user to work it out for themselves.

For corporate users with multiple devices and a need to integrate calendars and contacts plus applications such as Microsoft Exchange, Office 365 and Skype for business, the problem can be even more difficult.

Just a few months after its launch, the team has already worked with schools, corporate clients and the pubic sector on a variety of projects. The diverse range of skills within the team makes it ideally placed to offer a complete package of support either from Knetic’s Monkwearmouth Academy base, or on the client’s site.

Knetic Education was set up by ex-teachers Jane Adamson and Mark Lloyd, and former Ofsted inspector and head teacher Clive Bulmer, to help teachers keep pace with technology, support students and encourage online safety. Jane and Mark were formerly part of the successful Learning Technologies Innovation Team at Sunderland Council, teaching IT and online

When Jane and the team identified a gap in the market for services to the business world, the next logical step was to add this extra layer of services into the ITPS portfolio, to add value for our own clients.

Jane Adamson explains more about the company’s move into the private sector: “With decades of experience behind us in helping teachers and students get the most out of technology, we spotted an opportunity to do the

same within the corporate world.

“Businesses that have invested in devices want to make sure they are being used effectively. We keep pace with new releases and developments and can show people from beginners to seasoned users the hidden shortcuts and features they never knew existed, along with tips and tricks designed to make their working lives easier.

In addition to that our range of coding, digital photography and video services are ideal for use in corporate training and development scenarios, giving HR teams all the digital support tools they need.

“Taking our skills and experience into the business environment is set to benefit everyone from SMEs to large corporates.”

As ICT experts in our own right we recognise that innovation drives every business, and making best use of technology - in all its forms - is what delivers competitive advantage. For more details visit www.knetic.org.uk.

Garry Sheriff, Managing Director, ITPS

For more information about ITPS’s ICT services and solutions, email contact@itps.co.uk or tel: (0191) 442 8300

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TECHNOLOGY INSIGHT

College turns to cloud to cuts costs

Dan Pace, Head of ICT at Seaton Burn College; Chris Nellist, Information and Administration Manager at Seaton Burn College; David Bradbury, Account Director, ITPS.

A partnership with Gateshead-based IT specialist ITPS has seen Seaton Burn College save 30% on its IT costs and get 20 times more performance from its IT infrastructure after moving to a cloud computing model.

ITPS won the tender when the college went out to the market to find an IT partner to help it transform an ageing IT infrastructure into a future-proof platform capable of supporting its 600 students and staff.

“Before working with ITPS we were struggling with issues including poor connectivity and slow speeds. When they showed us what was possible by moving to cloud technology we were blown away by the efficiency and cost benefits.

Experts from ITPS spent 12 months working with the college’s IT team to review and upgrade software and systems. The college now has its ICT split between its own premises and ITPS’s £4m data centre in Chester le Street, using a private network connected through cloud technology.

“Technology is now an essential teaching tool and traditionally accounted for a large part of our budget. We are now saving a considerable amount of money that has in effect paid for a new infrastructure that gives staff and students fast and efficient access to systems and data wherever they are working.

The new ultra-fast, high security connections deliver anytime, anywhere IT access to students and staff when they are on and off site, and users no longer have to wait for long periods to login to the network, connect to the internet or download large files.

Chris Nellist, information and administration manager at Seaton Burn College, said: "This project has provided Seaton Burn students and staff with a network that would not look out of place in a corporate environment.

“Our original goal was for a fast and resilient network that is flexible to ever-changing technological and curriculum demands, and ITPS has helped us deliver this and more, exceeding all our expectations.

“Exceptional account management and technical skills are what make ITPS unique from other suppliers. They are continually engaged and willing to tackle any obstacles head-on with wellthought-out strategies and discussion.

“Migration to the cloud and moving from the safety of a managed environment with our previous providers was a big step change for us, but ITPS’s ethos of putting the customer first, combined with their clearly demonstrable expertise, has helped our transition to be the best decision we could have possibly made.

"I cannot praise the technical staff and our account director David Bradbury enough for their assistance on the whole project."

The new infrastructure gives the college’s IT staff full control over the network, and includes benefits such as roaming profiles, where users login once and then move around the college premises hopping seamlessly on and off the network, thanks to strategically-placed wireless network points. It also allows new students to easily bring portfolios across from previous schools when they join the college.

David Bradbury, account director at ITPS, commented: “We are pleased to have helped the college invest in smarter, more efficient technology. The new solution has given them greater flexibility and control, at a fraction of the previous cost.

“Moving to cloud can appear to be a big step and a daunting prospect, and the time we spent talking the college through their options helped them to make the right decision. It was a complex project with a tight timescale for delivery, and by working together we have been able to create a best practice model for an education environment.

“The new cloud framework has also given the college greater autonomy and control over its management information system, which is a big sticking point for schools and colleges who are hosted by their local education authority.”

For more information about ITPS’s ICT services and solutions, email contact@itps.co.uk or tel: (0191) 442 8300

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MOTORS INSIGHT

(l-r) Nas Khan with Andy Mawson-Senior Aircrew Paramedic, Philip O’Donnell-Aircrew Doctor, Jo Patterson-Aircrew Doctor, Bev Stephenson-PA, Jennings Motor Group and Rory Cunningham-Pilot, at Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Jennings Motor Group pledges support to Great North Air Ambulance Service Jennings Motor Group has pledged its support to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) by agreeing to raise as much money as possible throughout 2016.

Each year, the motor dealer group which operates Ford, Kia, Mazda, SEAT and Mitsubishi dealerships across the North East and Teesside, in addition to a Harley-Davidson® branch in West Yorkshire, pledges its support to a local charity with the aim to raise as much funds as possible throughout the 12-month period.

Fundraising was kick-started at the beginning of the year when Nas Khan, Managing Director of Jennings Motor Group and his PA, Bev Stephenson, presented a cheque for £2,000 to Diane Walker, Public Liaison Officer and Mandy Drake, Head of Fundraising at the GNAAS. Committed to supporting local charities and the community, Nas Khan said; “We are absolutely delighted to be supporting such a worthy charity as the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

They are an exceptional team of dedicated and committed professionals who deliver medical expertise and life-saving aid to patients at the scene of an accident.”

The most recent fundraising event took place last month when the charity, which provides air ambulance services across the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria, teamed up with Jennings Motor Group to officially launch its sixth consecutive car raffle promotion.

Members of the public are being given the opportunity to win a brand new Kia Rio ‘1’ model worth £10,345, courtesy of the motor dealer group’s Stockton and Washington-based Kia dealerships.

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, said; “We would like to offer our whole-hearted thanks to Jennings Motor Group for donating the car. We were stunned when they came up with the idea.

“As ever, all the proceeds will be used to support the work of our helicopters and their lifesaving crew across the entire region. By buying a ticket, members of the public are making a very real contribution to the service, while giving themselves a chance at winning a new car. It’s a win-win.”

The GNAAS car raffle campaign has raised £687,616 since 2011. The annual event also brings significant exposure to the charity, with the brand new motor being on display at a range of outdoor events throughout the region, and tens of thousands of supporters being mailed tickets over the summer months.

Specification on the 3-door Kia supermini model includes, Bluetooth® with music streaming, DAB radio plus USB and AUX ports, electronic stability control (ESC and vehicle stability management (VSM), twin front, side and curtain airbags, steering wheel mounted controls, trip computer, body coloured door mirrors and exterior door handles, front electric windows, remote central door locking with fold-away key and hill-start assist control (HAC). The brand new motor also comes with Kia’s seven year peace of mind warranty package, 12 months road fund licence and 12 months roadside assistance.

Car raffle tickets are £1 each and can be purchased online by visiting www. greatnorthairambulance.co.uk, or by contacting 01325 487263. The closing date for entries is November 7 and the draw will take place on December 1.

GNAAS operates three helicopters, 365 days a year across its bases at Durham Tees Valley and Langwathby, near Penrith, Cumbria. Last year it rescued 818 patients.

In addition to supporting GNAAS, Jennings Motor Group is also continuing to raise funds for The Emaan Foundation, a registered charity set up

by Nas Khan, following the devastating floods in Pakistan in 2010.

The first Appeal raised more than £120,000, which built a new village consisting of 60 homes with livestock and a deep tube well providing clean water. A second Appeal is currently underway to help construct a health centre for the people in the new village, which has been named ‘The Emaan Village’.

Last year, the motor dealer group raised more than £13,000 for local charity Teesside Hospice, which provides specialist care to people suffering from advanced cancer and other life-limiting illness.

For the past 17 consecutive years, The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Appeal has benefited by using the group’s network of dealerships across the North East region as drop off and collection points.

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

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Introducing the Introducing the New Ford Edge 4WD New Ford Edge 4WD

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Call: 01642 240 055 OPEN HOURS: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-4pm.

GATESHEAD, Eslington Park, Dunston. Call: 0191 460 7464. www.JenningsMotorGroup.co.uk OPEN HOURS: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10.30am-4pm.

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Newwww.JenningsMotorGroup.co.uk Ford Edge are Urban 44.1 (6.4), Extra Urban 52.3 (5.4), Combined 48.7 (5.8). CO2 (g/km) 149.

Standard EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

The official in mpg Edge arepayments Urbanare 44.1 (6.4), Extra Urban may 52.3 (5.4),Freepost Combined 48.7 CO2 (g/km) 149. #Finance subject tofuel status.consumption **Deposit allowance figures available when financed(l/100km) with FordOptions.for Youthe will New not ownFord the car until all made.

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Terms(5.8). and conditions apply. This offer supersedes Standard EU testoffers/discounts. figures forSubject comparative purposes may reflect results. any previously advertised to availability. Retail customers and only. Model yearnot restrictions mayreal apply. driving We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers. We may receive a commission from them for the introduction. †1 year Manufacturers Warranty and no fee customer option of 2 years extended warranty. Car not necessarily as illustrated. Offer ends 30th June 2016. E&OE. #Finance subject to status. **Deposit allowance available when financed with FordOptions. You will not own the car until all payments are made. Guarantees/indemnities may be required. Freepost Ford Credit. Terms and conditions apply. This offer supersedes any previously advertised offers/discounts. Subject to availability. Retail customers only. Model year restrictions may apply. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers. We may receive a commission from them for the introduction. †1 year Manufacturers Warranty and no fee customer option of 2 years extended warranty. Car not necessarily as illustrated. Offer ends 30th June 2016. E&OE.

MOTORS INSIGHT

Business sponsors on grid for rising motorsport star

Paul Adams, Pulman, with racer Joseph Taylor

North East businesses are lining up on the grid to support the region’s young British Formula Kart Stars champion.

In pole position is Pulman Fleet part of the expanding regional motors group Pulman – the latest organisation to sponsor and support rising Tyneside motorsport star Joseph Taylor.

Local businesses are recognising the emerging talent of 11-year-old Newcastle-born Joseph who recently met his racing hero Lewis Hamilton to be officially recognised for winning the 2015 Formula Kart Stars – Cadet series and also have a tour of the Formula One Mercedes team factory.

Joseph, 11, from Ryton, hopes to emulate Lewis Hamilton’s success - although recognises he has much still to learn and achieve. This year he aims to build on last season’s success – when he also finished 4th in the Little Green Man racing series and 6th in the Super One British Championship.

Lewis Hamilton won the same karting championship as Joseph back in 1995, and at

the same age, 10. Lewis went on, breaking many milestones, to become one of the youngest F1 champions at the age of 23.

Just as in F1, sponsors are an important part of building and maintaining success for all young racers, helping motorsport talent develop by supporting the running costs to compete in championships that run across the UK. All eyes in the UK motorsport community are on Joseph this year as he again competes in the Little Green Man and Super One championships, staying with internationally recognised Fusion Motorsport, running their Synergy kart for his last year in the Cadet class.

His mother Lianne Taylor said: “We’re delighted Pulman Fleet have seen the talent in Joseph and have been prepared to provide valuable support.

On the racing track the results are down to

Joseph but he recognises there’s a big support team behind him. That team, which includes the sponsors, makes racing possible and allows young drivers to develop.”

Paul Adams, Group Fleet Manager of Pulman Fleet, said: “We’re proud to sponsor a rising motorsport champion like Joseph. As a Volkswagen, SEAT and SKODA retailer, we’re keen to support a talented local racer, pitting himself against others in a high performance, sporting sector we understand.”

Pulman Fleet supplies more than 2000 Volkswagen, SEAT and SKODA vehicles to blue chip corporate and small businesses throughout the UK. Its parent company, the privately owned Pulman Group, recently opened a £2m bespoke SKODA showroom at Belmont Business Park, Durham.

Other business organisations that are supporting Joseph include: Newcastle-based restaurant group, 21 Hospitality Group; insurance broker, BSIS; video production company, In-House Films; embroidery and sewing threads specialist Madeira; and business PR consultancy, MHW PR.

Visit www.pulmangroup.co.uk for more details.

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THE WEEKEND SHOWS Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Our most exciting shows are on the weekend – you’ll get five top acts on every bill in a two hour showcase. Live comedy 7 days a week!

THE NORTH EAST’S FAVOURITE COMEDY CLUB “The Stand Comedy Club Newcastle hits the target. It has a brilliant atmosphere and great staff. I almost wished I lived in Newcastle so I could gig there every week ...almost! Seriously it’s what a comedy club should be and more.”

John Bishop

The Stand Bistro has quickly become Newcastle’s favourite hidden gem.

Situated on the cobbles of High Bridge, we are open seven days a week serving food, speciality teas and coffees, continental and craft beers from 10am until late.

Our menu is comprised of locally sourced ingredients, using only the choicest cuts and freshest produce.

We have something for every palate from our famous Sunday Lunch, our ever popular lunches to our pre-show bistro classics.

To reserve a table call us on: 0191 232 1410 or 0191 232 0707 bistro@thestandco.uk | thestand.co.uk @StandNewcastle /StandNewcastle StandNewcastle thestand.co.uk

31 High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1EW Box Office: 0191 300 9700

ARTS NEWS

Sunderland Empire welcomes The Full Monty (best known for his role as Tommy Duckworth in Coronation Street) as Guy and Kai Owen (best known for his portrayal of Rhys in Torchwood) as Dave.

The 2016/17 UK Tour of Simon Beaufoy’s The Full Monty, which won the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production will play Sunderland Empire for one week only from Monday 20 – Saturday 25 March 2017 with tickets available for purchase now.

In 1997, a British film about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose, took the world by storm becoming one of the most successful British films ever made. The story still resonates today, probably more so now than ever.

The cast will be led by Gary Lucy (Danny Pennant in EastEnders, Luke Morgan in Hollyoaks, winner of Dancing on Ice) as Gaz, along with Joe Absolom (Matthew Rose in EastEnders) as Lomper, Andrew Dunn (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies) as Gerald, Louis Emerick (Mick Johnson in Brookside) as Horse, Chris Fountain

Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar- and BAFTA-winning writer of the film, has adapted his own screenplay for this hilarious and heartfelt stage production, which features the iconic songs from the film by

artists Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

The Full Monty is Simon Beaufoy’s first work for the theatre. His other screen credits include The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, 127 Hours and Slumdog Millionaire.

The UK Tour of The Full Monty is directed by Jack Ryder. His directing credits include national tours of Calendar Girls and the short film Act of Memory with Claire Skinner, Owen Teale and Anna Massey, which was officially selected for nine international festivals around the world including the Cannes Film Festival.

Now That’s Entertainment From the producers of the smash-hit show Puttin’ On The Ritz comes the dazzling song and dance extravaganza That’s Entertainment! Britain’s favourite vocal harmony group, The Overtones will be joining the tour as they hit the stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 5 July – Saturday 9 July.

The much loved vocal group The Overtones have achieved sell-out tours, sold over 1,000,000 albums and have just celebrated their fifth consecutive top 10 album.

That’s Entertainment! celebrates the biggest hits of the 40’s and 50’s including music by Lerner and Loewe, Rodgers and Hammerstein, as well as Irving Berlin and Cole Porter.

With glorious costumes, sumptuous music, stunning dance routines and an award-winning cast of singers and dancers, this is guaranteed to wow the audience and keep their toes-tapping! That’s Entertainment! is feel good entertainment at its best for all the family.

“More than just a theatre” Box Office: (0191) 454 1234

Mill Dam South Shields NE33 1ES www.customshouse.co.uk

THEATRE CINEMA RESTAURANT EVENTS GALLERY 92

ARTS NEWS

Be razzle-dazzled this Winter

What’s on this June?

Adam Ant June 1 Sage Gateshead T: (0191) 443 4661 www.sagegateshead.com Chitty Chitty Bang Bang June 1 -12 Newcastle Theatre Royal T: (0844) 8112 121 www.theatreroyal.co.uk Steve Vai June 3 02 Academy Newcastle T: (0844) 477 2000 www.academymusicgroup.com The Proclaimers June 10 Whitley Bay Playhouse T: (0844)248 1588 www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk

“Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery…all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts”…so begins the international award winning Broadway and West End musical, Chicago, which comes to Sunderland Empire for one week only from Monday 28 November – Saturday 3 December 2016.

West End and Celebrity Big Brother star John Partridge (EastEnders, Cats, A Chorus Line, Miss Saigon, Starlight Express) takes on the role of Billy Flynn and Dancing on Ice winner and Coronation Street star Hayley Tamaddon (Emmerdale, Grease, Mamma Mia!) portrays Roxie Hart.

Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover and along with cell block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, fights to avoid death row all with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago’s sexy, sassy score includes iconic musical numbers “All That Jazz” and “Razzle Dazzle”.

And has notched an incredible six Tony, two Olivier, one Grammy, two Bafta and six Academy Awards.

A nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin: it would be a crime to miss it.

Record of The Month - Paul Simon ‘Stranger to Stranger’ Veteran songwriter Paul Simon is set to return with his first album of new material in 5 years.

The highly experimental Stranger to Stranger marks Simon’s 13th solo outing and features a number of collaborations with Italian Electronic Dance Music maestro Clap! Clap! whom Simon met whilst touring Italy in 2015.

Box Office: (0191) 454 1234

Mill Dam South Shields NE33 1ES www.customshouse.co.uk

Barry Manilow June 12 Metroradio Arena T: (0844) 493 6666 www.metrordioarena.co.uk Jumpy June 14-18 The People’s Theatre T: (0191) 265 5020 www.peoplestheatre.co.uk The Mikado June 15-18 Newcastle Theatre Royal T: (0844) 8112 121 www.theatreroyal.co.uk Ben Folds June 18 Sage Gateshead T: (0191) 443 4661 www.sagegateshead.com Derren Brown June 20 -25 Newcastle Theatre Royal T: (0844) 8112 121 www.theatreroyal.co.uk

One notable example of their work together is the rhythmic new lead single ‘Wristband’ which humorously follows a rock musician who struggles to gain entry into his own concert because he lacks the necessary wristband required. Clap!

Clap! supplies the beats while Simon delivers conversational vocals with real aplomb. In fact, like so many of Simon’s classic offerings, Stranger to Stranger excels at creating a real carnival of sound.

In a recent interview, Simon outlined a slightly different approach to songwriting ‘Sound is the theme of this album as much as it’s about the subjects of the individual songs. If people get that, I’ll be pleased. The right song at the right time can live for generations. A beautiful sound – well,

Roy Chubby Brown June 11 The Custom’s House T: (0191) 454 1234 www.customshouse.co.uk

The Sound of Music June 21-25 Sunderland Empire T: (0844) 871 3042 www.atgtickets.com that’s forever.” In order to achieve this, Simon draws upon a plethora of different influences as electronic textures are often fused with African woodwind instruments and Peruvian drum kits which means the end result can at times be quite astonishing.

The 39 Steps June 27- July 2 Newcastle Theatre Royal T: (0844) 8112 121 www.theatreroyal.co.uk

“Let your event take centre stage” Weddings, Conferences & Events 93

TRAVEL INSIGHT

The Changing Face of 5I Cruising Travel writer, Ken Spearen reviews the maiden voyage of RCCL’s “Ovation of the Seas”

At a massive 167,800 tons, Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas is a floating leviathan that can easily accommodate 4,000+ passengers. With 18 decks, 16 of which are accessible to passengers and at 348 metres long, this Quantum-class ship’s size is simply jaw-dropping. At a cost of $1.35b, without question, it is a technical marvel and a feat of modern day engineering.

In keeping with everything else on board, its facilities are vast and varied incorporating everything and anything that anyone could ever want, dream up or ask for.

But this is not a ship for the traditional cruise market. Instead, it heralds the dawn of attracting the next generation of 5I cruisers. Out goes ballroom dancing, old style Broadway-type shows, designated dining rooms with set times, formal nights and afternoon high tea so treasured by the old guard. In comes a 5I dream cruise for a younger, affluent audience with children.

This ship breaks the traditional mould in onboard entertainment with 40ft surf flow riders, an amazing sky diving experience, rock climbing walls and indoor dodgems, roller skating rink, basketball courts and five-a-side football pitches.

There is even the opportunity to take trapeze lessons! Another amazing facility is a mobile observation tower affording sensational sights from inside a glass-walled capsule mounted on a rotating arm 300ft above sea level.

Under the direction of the excellent Joff Easton, the Ovation’s Cruise Director, the new modern approach towards entertainment is further underlined as a beat-box acapella group and the exquisite vocal talents of top European TV and recording artist Claire Vinkesteijn rose to the challenge of pleasing a new, younger audience in the 1,300-seater Royal Theatre. In addition, ExJoseph and CBB star Darren Day got a standing ovation from all age groups for his show-stopping cabaret spot.

As an alternative venue, the Two70° arena showcased stand-up comedians as well as some amazing interactive music and dance programmes courtesy of Spectra’s Cabaret where dancers

appear to interact with holograms. As if all this live activity was not enough, the young vibe at the Music Hall was just as lively with tribute bands emulating their musical heroes while its next door neighbour, Michael’s Gastropub, was always well patronised in true English style.

Imaginative programmes designed to keep younger children and teenagers engaged are also available. The younger ones (aged 3-5) have a dedicated water play area called the H20 Zone where glass-sided mini swimming pools, sea cannons, waterslides, a gigantic drenching bucket and a multi-level jungle gym kept them fully amused whilst older kids (5-11) have the best of both worlds with their own Adventure Ocean Club. Likewise, teenagers (12-17) have their own den called the Living Room. Their exclusive activities include teen dodge ball, basketball, driving simulators, football tourneys and even alcohol-free party nights until midnight. The dodgems were much sought-after by all age groups – and, I should add, by parents too.

On the catering front, diners are spoilt for choice. The traditional main restaurant has been replaced by 17 different restaurants and cafes that cover the entire culinary spectrum. Whether you fancy Asian cuisine, Italian, a quick bite, a posh five-course dinner in The Grand or an international buffet, you can dine at a different venue every night. Most speciality restaurants are complimentary but others like Jamie Oliver’s Italian Kitchen and Chop’s Grill carry a small supplement. The ship’s introduction of a new Dynamic Dining option offers total flexibility to suit cruisers. There are no set meal times, unless you request them and no mandatory formal nights - although jackets are required in The

94

Grand. For the night owls/early risers, the Café Promenade is open 24/7.

Even if you don’t enjoy a tipple, an essential visit to the unmanned Bionic Bar is essential.

Drinkers order their cocktails by computer from their table and two robotic arms behind the bar mix drinks from ceiling mounted optics with amazing accuracy. Surreal.

Royal Caribbean has just introduced a Royal Suite Class which comes complete with a butler called a “Royal Genie”. This facility has three service levels based on the suite category booked and offers an upgraded, personalised experience for suite passengers with exclusive access to the truly excellent Coastal Kitchen restaurant, Concierge Lounge and private sun deck.

Before embarkation, I must admit to harbouring misgivings about the cruise line’s Herculean task of trying to board 4,000+ passengers in four hours but thanks to its most efficient pre-cruise on-line check in service, all went smoothly and the ship sailed on time.

With a giant panda mascot, a Chinese film star as its godmother, a pool-side noodle bar and all public signs written in both English and Chinese, the Ovation is obviously destined for the Far East.

It will be a smash hit with today’s Peter Pan generation with young children as it is a cross between a luxury cruise ship and a floating theme park. One can only speculate what the Chinese will make of it all.

My cruise was booked through the wellorganised and ultra-efficient Cruise118.com, a UK arm of World Travel Holdings, the US-based collective which is the world's largest cruise agency.

Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland Opens Visitors from around the world are now booking into Northern England’s first Hilton Garden Inn Hotel.

The stylish new property, adjacent to Sunderlands Stadium of Light, is the only one of its brand between Birmingham and Glasgow.

It was recently officially opened by the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Barry Curran where over 150 guests were given the opportunity to tour the property, including its state of the art gym, 24 hour business centre and various meeting rooms.

LEISURE INSIGHT

Hilton Garden Inn has much to offer to the region by Michael Grahamslaw.

I first became aware of the 4 star Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Sunderland when Lisa and I passed the new build on our way back from a highly entertaining night out at the Sunderland Empire.

Through the car window, at first sight I thought it was some sort of business extension to the Stadium of Light, the home of the city’s Premier League football club where I have spent many a good night entertaining at a sporting dinner but after checking it out on the web, I found out its true nature and made a note to review it for Northern Insight readers when it was completed. This has happened later rather than sooner as successive bumper issues of the magazine have kept me on my toes 24/7.

With the magazine at the printers, I cleared the decks for some quality R&R and checked Lisa and I into HGI to see for ourselves what this latest addition to the region has to offer.

The 141-bedroom Hilton Garden Inn is Sunderland’s only 4-star hotel. Being out of the Hilton stable, consistent quality is assured and on past experience, its rating is probably nearer the 5-star standard because the brand always strives to go the extra mile for guests’ comfort.

The hotel is both close to the city centre and yet just a short drive from nearby sandy beaches.

When the southern supporters travel up to the North East, they are always somewhat surprised by the latter (why?) as well as our quality of life.

Long may that last but I think we need to keep it quiet as we don’t want them up here turning it

into London by the sea!

On arrival, we were tremendously impressed.

From the warm welcome, to the spacious accommodation allocated to us, all was of the highest order.

After a quick drink in the comfortable bar to get acclimatised, we changed for dinner and headed for the Karbon Grill restaurant.

Its menu offered a superb choice, many featuring an American twist. Lisa chose Maryland Crab Cakes for a starter whilst I opted for the Tennessee marinated pork ribs which I have developed a real taste for. For mains Lisa had 28-day aged Porterhouse steak with chunky chips while I fell spectacularly off the diet wagon (again) with saffron spaghetti and jumbo shrimps in a white wine and cream sauce. Throughout the meal, the service was attentive, enthusiastic and friendly – just what you would expect from well trained Hilton staff. Feeling comfortably full, we spurned desserts in favour of finishing off a good bottle of claret followed by coffees and liqueurs before adjourning to our suite for a comfortable and very rare eight hours sleep.

Refreshed, I pushed myself in the fitness centre on the first floor the following morning in an attempt to appease the calorie gods for the previous evening’s over-indulgence. Feeling

smug, I then tucked into a full English breakfast as a reward. Yes, I know, I know but I can resist anything but temptation!

A very obliging duty manager then gave me an impromptu tour of the hotel which was very informative and quite an insight (every pun intended). The guest rooms I was shown were spacious, fresh smelling and comfortable and all include complimentary WiFi, a work desk with ergonomic chair as well as complimentary tea/ coffee making facilities. For those requiring a little extra space, suites come with a separate living area as standard. Apart from the excellent fully-equipped 24-hour fitness centre, which I had experienced earlier, the hotel's other facilities include a 24-hour business centre and private courtyard and atrium. An Olympic-size swimming pool is adjacent to the hotel and a hairdresser or a beauty therapist is available on request. As in all Hilton Hotels, everything has been thought through to give the guest the best possible experience.

As well as the obvious appeal for discerning travelling football fans on match days, the Hilton Garden Hotel in Sunderland is ideally situated as a base to explore the North East. In addition, its first class business facilities also offer a credible alternative to the usual venues in the region. I’m sure HGI will do well on all three fronts.

Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland is situated on Vaux Brewery Way, Sunderland, (SatNav: SR5 1SU).T: 0191-500 9494 or check out its great website by logging onto www.hgi.hilton.com/sunderland.

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LEISURE NEWS

Fit Mumma helps women to achieve their health, fitness and weight loss goals A woman who overcame sexual abuse and went on to build a successful career competing in bodybuilding competitions is using the lessons she learned to help other people to get fit and lose weight.

Sonia Redpath, who is originally from southern England but now lives in Gosforth, will launch her online health and fitness course Fit Mumma this month. The 12week programme is an achievable step-by-step course offering advice on a physical, mental and emotional level coupled with support and guidance on food, exercise and weight-loss. Sonia already has more than 3,000 fans on Facebook.

Sonia, who was diagnosed with dyslexia at 43, suffered from post-traumatic stress and depression after being assaulted. But she has also been diagnosed as having post-traumatic growth – the ability to go on and do positive things after treatment.

The complete programme brings together Sonia and Fitness Expert Husband Robbie’s 30 years’ of experience in fitness in a comprehensive course. Users receive phone calls, are set home work, individual action plans and can access webinars. Sonia has also designed a healthy cooking element of the course and is planning to publish an accompanying book.

Major investment boost for Hadrian’s Wall Following a £400,000 investment from the government, the Hadrian’s Wall Connect Project is set to boost tourism numbers in 2016 through a range of improvements that make it easier for visitors to access the unique World Heritage Site.

The Hadrian’s Wall Connect Project is being delivered through the Hadrian’s Wall Marketing Partnership which includes Northumberland County Council, Carlisle City Council, Northumberland National Park Authority, Northumberland Tourism, Cumbria Tourism, NewcastleGateshead Initiative and English Heritage. All these organisations have been working together to develop transport links

and enrich business and tourist information along the corridor of Hadrian’s Wall.

The £400,000 grant led by VisitEngland has helped to secure the popular Go North East AD122 bus service for a further four years and will also see the introduction of ‘Hadrian’s Wall Welcome Hubs’ at key visitor locations including Carlisle, Haltwhistle and Hexham railway stations.

The Hubs will provide visitors with direction at key points and improve access and information about some of the lesser known sites on Hadrian’s Wall such as the Epiacum Roman Fort at Alston and the Senhouse Roman Museum in Maryport.

The Project has also invested in the design

and development of new website and marketing materials to promote the Wall as a leading tourist destination.

Councillor Val Tyler, Policy Board Member for Community Infrastructure and Culture at Northumberland County Council, said: “The Wall draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the North of England every year and we owe it to businesses and service providers to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to enable visitors to access our key attractions. I would like to thank VisitEngland for their funding and I am delighted that we have been able to deliver some big improvements in a short time scale.”

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

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LEISURE NEWS

New bar extension creates job opportunities A popular city centre bar is having to ramp up its recruitment drive in order to cope with the demand following the launch of its new extension.

Barluga on Grey Street opened its doors to the new outside terrace area in time for the bank holiday last month and its popularity has resulted in the creation of more job opportunities.

As part of leisure company Vaulkhard Group’s £4 million development project across a number of its venues, the 80sq ft. terrace extension has provided Barluga with an additional dining and drinking area, with capacity to seat 75 people, compared to just 16 before its creation.

Director of Vaulkhard Group, Ollie Vaulkhard, said: “We have been delighted with the support we have received from the public and since opening, we have welcomed hundreds of guests old and new.

The £180,000 oasis-style garden terrace comprises an additional outdoor dining and drinking area complete with umbrellas, heated seats and BBQ. The next development plans for Vaulkhard Group will include the refurbishment of popular night haunt Perdu due later this summer and the expansion of its Central Bean coffee shops with a new one due to open in Sheffield on the 16th June.

Spectacular open air show rides into County Durham This summer, take an exciting journey through British history. ‘Kynren – an epic tale of England’ is a 90-minute evening show - with 14 show dates from 2 July - 17 September - taking place in Bishop Auckland in the Vale of Durham. The open-air stage is equivalent in size to five football pitches, includes a large lake equipped with sophisticated underwater hydraulics, and is set against the majestic backdrop of Auckland Castle.

Kynren (meaning ‘generation, kindred, family’) is hailed by Rough Guides as one of the world’s top ten new tourist attractions. Over 1,000 professionally trained local volunteers are involved as actors and crew, plus there’s a cast of animals including performance horses, goats and cattle.

Accompanied by an evocative soundtrack, you’ll travel from Roman times to World War 2, through Viking invasions to the splendour of the Tudors, the Industrial Revolution and the prosperous 1920s. It will be a remarkable, dazzling display of mass choreography, dance, pyrotechnics, water effects and lighting.

Combine this thrilling, action-packed spectacle - speeding you through 2,000 years of history - with a sumptuous stay at five-star boutique hotel

Seaham Hall, just 40 minutes away, set in a glorious location overlooking the Durham heritage coastline.

Newcastle to Norway route takes off

Historic North East hotel to host business networking evenings

Airline bmi regional is delighted to announce the forthcoming launch of flights between Newcastle and Stavanger, Norway, which took to the skies on 31st May 2016. The new route offers direct jet flights daily from Sunday to Friday from Newcastle to the major Norwegian city, which is both a major business destination due to the proximity of North Sea oil fields as well as a touristic base with a charming old town.

All passengers will enjoy a 20kg checked baggage allowance, complimentary in flight bar and snack service, speedy 30 minute check-in and allocated 2:1 seating, all of which come as standard with the business-powered airline, and are appreciated by discerning leisure travellers too. Fares on the route will start at £78 one way or £139 return.

Commenting on the route launch, Jochen Schnadt, Chief Commercial Officer said: “We’re excited to be adding this route into our network and with it Stavanger as our latest addition to our growing network of key business locations.”

An award winning North East boutique hotel has expanded its corporate offering by hosting its own programme of business networking events.

The Cleveland Tontine, situated near Northallerton, will start its Tontine Talks events in May, kicking off with an evening hosted by Camerons Brewery of Hartlepool.

Dating back to 1804, the unique inn has always been a popular venue for corporate events and business meetings, thanks to its elegance, charm and easy access from the A19, but the new events calendar hopes to connect with the local business community even further.

The Cleveland Tontine’s General Manager, Eric Kortenbach, said: “The Cleveland Tontine has always been seen as an ideal location for doing business, and that’s why we thought it would be a great opportunity to expand into that sector by hosting our own networking events.”

Further information can be found on the hotel’s website.

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LEISURE INSIGHT

A Gentleman’s Afternoon Delight! by Michael Grahamslaw A visit to Horton Grange is always a pleasure and on my last visit, I noticed it served a “gentleman’s” version of afternoon high tea.

Intrigued, I took a long-standing friend and business colleague for some civilised, good old fashioned indulgence. Apparently, up until the nineteenth century, the British aristocracy only ate two meals a day - that being breakfast and dinner. As dinner, the main meal of the day, wasn’t served until late evening, there was obviously a big gap between meals resulting in growling tummies, an absolute no-no in polite circles those days.

Along with many others in the mid-19th century, many of the female aristocracy complained of faintness in the mid-afternoon. At first, they would snack privately with a pot of tea in their personal quarters but inviting friends to dine with them in their withdrawing rooms soon became de rigueur with most of London’s smart set and a tradition was born that remains to this day.

Back in the day, tea was scarce and expensive before it became more widely available and beer was the daytime drink of choice. I knew I was born too late! As you will be aware, beer is brewed using boiled water and hops and this was a safer drink than the unsanitary water generally available at the time. As a result, drinking alcohol was socially acceptable and as well as being a vital source of calories, it was an escape for the masses.

As the Industrial Revolution took hold, workers were obviously expected to stay sober during their long shifts on the factory floor and more people had no choice but to revert to nonalcoholic drinks like coffee, tea and chocolate. For greater detail on this, look on Horton Grange’s great website for some fascinating background.

They have it nailed. So then, what of today’s Traditional High Tea experience?

As always, Horton Grange did us proud.

We swapped the standard afternoon high tea (£16.95) of smoked salmon and cream cheese,

coronation chicken and beef sandwiches for the rather butch Gentleman’s savoury version (£17.95). This consisted of comfort food like pork pies, scotch eggs, mini shepherd’s pie as well as smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels and Mordon blue cheese with biscuits and tomato chutney. For a sweet treat, a fruit trifle malt loaf (now you’re talking) was included. All came with a refreshing pot of loose leaf tea or coffee served in a bone china tea set. Some extras to consider were a glass of fizz, a 12-year old malt whisky or some late bottled vintage port. The excellent service from Mo, Horton Grange’s deputy general manager completed a delightful experience that was superb from start to finish.

Should you decide not to go for the full Monty, the more abstemious Horton Grange Cream Tea consisting of scones with cream and jam with a pot of tea is also available at just £7 a head, quite a steal for what you get.

For those living in a vacuum or on the moon, Horton Grange 3-star Country House Hotel is situated at Berwick Hill, Ponteland, Newcastle. (SatNav: NE13 6BU). Tel: 01661 860 686 or log onto www.hortongrange.co.uk.

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Come and indulge in Afternoon Tea at Horton Grange!

Afternoon Tea at Horton Grange is a mouth-watering blend of the sweet and the savoury and the sparkling too! All of our Afternoon Teas are presented with a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, exquisite cakes on a three-tier stand and, of course, a fine selection of teas and coffees from Pumphreys!

Available 7 days a week, 12pm - 5pm

The Horton Afternoon Tea From £16.95 The Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea From £17.50 Horton Grange Country House Hotel

@HortonGrange

Horton Grange Country House Hotel, Berwick Hill Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 6BU. T: (01661) 860686 E: info@hortongrange.co.uk W: www.hortongrange.co.uk Photography: Jonathan Stockton Photography

LEISURE INSIGHT

The Tiger who came to T…

Think of lunch at work and you might think of a stale sandwich or a pot noodle – not very appetising, is it? Well, one bar has it down to a ‘T’ when it comes to lunch – a double T in fact.

Tiger Tiger’s contemporary restaurant on Newcastle’s Newgate Street in the heart of the city centre is perfect for a light business lunch, big meeting, staff training day or any corporate occasion.

Their menu covers all bases to satisfy the hunger of even the biggest carnivore. From the starters, sharing platters, burgers, fajitas, fish dishes and desserts of all variations to the 17oz Tomahawk Steak challenge served with cowboy fried onions and garlic and herb butter and two sides of your choice – there is something for everyone at Tiger Tiger.

If that’s all too much for you to take, share the load with friends or workmates with the Tiger Sharing Platter. With a selection of spicy cheesy garlic Tiger baguette, calamari, chicken goujons, BBQ glazed pork ribs and crispy nachos all ready for you to dive into – we think Tiger Tiger will be able to fill those roaring stomachs after a heavy morning discussing business.

With our seven spectacular rooms available, your corporate herd has a variety of uniquely themed rooms to choose from. May it be a team building day, product launch or impressing those important clients, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the hospitality.

Catering for small or large parties and anything in-between, Tiger Tiger’s

extensive 120 seat venue can host any size group, whether it’s impressing clients over a business lunch in our restaurant or toasting a new deal at Tiger Tiger, we have you covered.

When party time begins, take the next level by booking our Kanaloa room for a trip to paradise indulging in signature cocktails, from the classic cosmo to the quirky popping daiquiri. But if you fancy something wonderful, the team at Tiger Tiger are entirely bonkers over our Groovy Wonderland room but let us tell you a secret - all the best people are.

Request your reservations and view our spectacular rooms for everyone via www.tigertiger.co.uk/newcastle/reservations/ And make sure to give us a call on 0191 235 7065 or email info@tigertiger-newcastle.co.uk to reserve your table.

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In the Heart of Jesmond The Caledonian Hotel Newcastle is located in the heart of Jesmond, a chic and leafy area, only one mile from Newcastle city centre with a vibrant cafe and bar culture.

The hotel itself combines Georgian architecture with a contempory edge having recently been refurbished. 90 spacious en-suite bedrooms, a fully equipped conference and banqueting centre, and a range of dining options are all avaialable. Choose from the relaxed ambience of the Billabong Bistro, the lively Billabong Bar or alfresco dining on the heated outdoor terrace.

With ample free private parking and easy access to all major transport links, including Newcastle International Airport, the Caledonian Hotel is ideally situated for both the business and leisure traveller.

To make your booking email events@caledonian-hotelnewcastle.com or tel: 0191 281 7881

LEISURE INSIGHT

Versatile meeting space

Following a ÂŁ4million restoration the historic Crathorne Hall Hotel, situated just 1 mile from the A19 in Crathorne near Yarm, offers the perfect setting for your business meeting or conference.

In consultation with English Heritage and Hambleton District Council’s planning and conservation officer, a team of specialist craftsmen worked on refurbishing and restoring grand architectural features, discovering gems such as a splendid archway uncovered in the County Suite corridor in the east wing. This has been restored and the detail repeated to create a grand colonnade. Specialist structural techniques were employed to extend doorways and openings to create more space.

In the former nursery, an old stove was discovered which nannies would have used to heat the iron for pressing clothes. This has also been preserved and incorporated as a feature.

The York and Ormesby bedroom wings have been rebuilt, using traditional lath and plaster to restore the ceilings. Fireplaces were uncovered and restored within some of the bedrooms. As part of the exterior restoration, slate was hand cut to match the existing roof and installed by tilers, one section at a time to ensure the coursing was aligned. IT connectivity has also been improved as part of the refurbishment work.

Crathorne Hall has a range of versatile meeting and conference facilities include the newly refurbished County Suite hosting three stunning meeting rooms, each named after a local region. These rooms are interconnecting to provide a larger meeting area perfect for conferences or private functions. The main Hall provides a further three function rooms offering a more traditional

setting; the Drawing Room, with capacity for 100 people, the Edwardian Room, with room for 90 people, and the Presidents’ Lounge, suitable for boardroom or dining events for up to 28 delegates. In addition, the property is situated on 15 acres of land, ideal for team building activities.

To make a booking or for more information, call Crathorne Hall Hotel on 01642 700398

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Keepsake Wedding Box yours to keep and treasure, contains Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue along with a few very special gifts from Holiday Inn, Washington

Follow us on Twitter @ HIWashington Like us on FaceBook Holiday Inn Washington

Washington

Emerson Road, Washington, NE37 1LB Contact: 0191 418 9482 E:events@hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk www.hiwashingtonhotel.co.uk Terms and Conditions apply.

LEISURE INSIGHT

Harbour View Restaurant batters the competition

When you go to the Harbour View Restaurant in Seaton Sluice for fish and chips be sure not to eat anything before hand. We investigate giant fish bites, fantastic customer service and appreciative customers who travel the length and breadth of the country to sample the food on offer.

The first thing that strikes you when you walk into the restaurant is the attractive décor with a nautical theme. Professionally commissioned photographs of local seaside scenes blend perfectly with unusual table lamps in the shape of lobster nets and giant fish bones. Looking up, you’ll see oversized lampshades with interesting yacht designs on their insides and you can’t miss the Admiralty style chart wallpaper adorning the walls.

But the décor isn’t the reason why people queue for takeaway fish and chips or travel miles for a table in the restaurant; it’s pure and simply the quality, taste and size of the food portions that does it.

The success of this family business can be traced back more than 16 years when the then, new owner took over a small traditional fish and chip café in the picturesque village of Seaton Sluice. With a tangible passion for food, cleanliness and a desire to give the best possible service to their customers, footfall immediately increased and a major interior refurbishment took place that totally changed the character of the restaurant.

Popularity demanded the addition of more frying pans to help serve customers faster and

new picnic tables outside the restaurant gave diners the choice to eat inside or to enjoy their piping hot fish and chips al fresco with a great view of the harbour and North Sea. The restaurant is also unique in that it is licensed to sell beers and wines and boasts an authentic Italian Ice Cream Parlour. For those with particular needs, there is also a disabled toilet and a baby changing room.

Restaurant Manager, Sarah Cranson has worked at The Harbour View for eight years.

“It’s a fantastic place to work, there’s a friendly atmosphere and our customers love the size and quality of the food. They particularly like the fish that is caught in the cold, deep seas off Iceland. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of people who queue up at peak times to eat our food but that’s because it’s a great experience to be here.

We’ve become a destination and not just a place to eat.”

Indeed, on Good Friday, the queues for the takeaway stretched for 200m throughout the day with each customer waiting around 90 minutes to be served. Not one person complained about the length of the queue.

Other customers who go the extra mile to eat at Harbour View include a couple from Consett, County Durham who visit at least three times a week and a man who was travelling from London to Falkirk who stopped off to find out if the food review on Trip Adviser was as good as it said it was. His review speaks volumes: “We stopped off on route to Falkirk, the fish was at least 17” long and I had to have it folded back into the box as it was so huge. I couldn’t finish my chips. Every time I go up North I’m stopping off there, the staff are lovely too.”

Another customer who praises the restaurant highly is former Lindisfarne drummer Ray Laidlaw.

“I’ve eaten fish and chips all around the world but The Harbour View can’t be beaten. My wife and I love it here. Be warned though, don’t eat anything before hand as the portions are huge.”

Typically, the fish bites served are the size of large fish at other fish and chip outlets and a large Cod or Haddock regularly weighs in at a staggering 22 ounces uncooked weight.

So, when you sit down at The Harbour View Restaurant and say “I can’t eat anymore,” don’t say you were never warned.

The Harbour View Restaurant is located at: 1-3 Beresford Rd, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay NE26 4DR Phone: 0191 237 2478 Monday to Wednesday 11.30 – 1.45pm Thursday & Friday 11.30 – 1.45 and 4.15pm to 7pm Saturday 11.30 till 5.30pm Sunday Closed

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A summer evening musical soirée at St Mary’s Heritage

in association with Newcastle University International Centre for Music Studies

Monday June 13th from 7pm Exclusive are delighted to present an evening of mixed musical genres showcasing performances by final year students from Newcastle University International Centre for Music Studies. These talented artists truly are the stars of the future and this is a wonderful opportunity to see them perform in a stunning setting before they graduate.

Folk, jazz and contemporary will all be part of the evening’s programme.

Join us from 7pm for a drinks and canapé reception Performances begin at 7.30pm, interval with light supper and a bar available

Performing on the night: Tyne Trio & Gina Devine • Sally Smith • Niamh Boadle Image Recycled • Tobias Illingworth Individual tickets are £30 pp + vat, theatre style seating, groups will be placed together.

Special price available for Newcastle University students ask when booking.

The evening is open to everyone, a perfect summer event for corporate entertaining, a must for music fans and a relaxed evening for friends and family of the performers! www.ncl.ac.uk/sacs/music/

www.stmarysheritage.co.uk

To find out more or to book please contact: linda@exclusive.co.com m: 07813 533021 If your company would like to sponsor the evening on behalf of the ICMuS Summer Music Festival, contact Linda as above.

Dates for your diary: Wednesday June 29th from 6pm at Bang & Olufsen Newcastle showroom

A relaxed evening to view the state of the art, smart- home systems from B&O, see the new Exclusive Platform live and engage with Leadr TV. Enter your business card to win the chance to create a 60 second video promotion on the night.

Tuesday September 20th 12 noon - 2pm Business lunch

Save the date for the first in our program of business lunch events in Newcastle city centre. Full details to follow.

• Unique insights from a leading business figure

• Limited number of high quality attendees

• Updates on business in the North East from Exclusive

Sunday 27th November - Chirstmas at Biddick Hall

Exclusive are delighted to be able to welcome guests to this stunning private home on the Lambton Estate. A unique opportunity to enjoy the ambience of this elegant country house at a very special time of year. Log fires burning, candles glowing, join us from 4pm for festive drinks, canapés and Christmas music from one of the regions finest choirs. Save the date.

For more information about Exclusive or to book an event please contact Linda Hitman - Linda@exclusive.co.com T: 07813 533021

LEISURE INSIGHT

A Surprise Birthday Treat by Michael Grahamslaw With Lisa’s birthday looming, I wanted to take her somewhere for a romantic night out for two in sumptuous surroundings – but I wanted it to be a surprise. With subtle hints being dropped daily which I pretended not to pick up on, all was kept under wraps until the morning of her birthday. After the opening of family and friends birthday cards over breakfast, I told her of my idea which had been long in the planning. I announced with some ceremony that we were going for a night at Matfen Hall, the ancestral home of Sir Hugh and Lady Blackett. After initial joy came a rebuke for my deception followed by the immortal phrase that all women utter at a time like this, “but I’ve got nothing to wear...”

With three wardrobes to choose from, one solely for shoes, I assured her she would not be followed around all day by the Fashion Police if she wore an outfit for a second time. In the end, I relented and my plastic took a right bashing as a result. Never mind, it was all in the cause of making Lisa’s day and you can’t put a price on that - although my bank manager may hold a different view.

Having played golf there many times, Matfen Hall is very imposing and that’s the reason I chose it for Lisa’s special day.

It has a rich history that, like me, many local people may not know about. William Blackett, its first baronet, was born in 1621 in Hamsterley, Co Durham into a family of merchants and became its first baronet in 1673. He had a hugely successful career as a trader in his own right in Newcastle and became a member of the Merchant Adventurers, trading in such commodities as flax, cloth, timber and linen before moving into lead and coal and subsequently becoming a substantial owner of lead and coal mining interests.

He was elected Sheriff of Newcastle in 1660 and later Mayor. He was elected to Parliament in 1673 and created a baronet by Charles II in 1673.

Matfen Hall was completely rebuilt between 1832-6 on the site of an earlier Jacobean house owned by Sir Edward Blackett, the 6th baronet.

The last family member to live in Matfen Hall was Sir Hugh Blackett, 8th baronet, who died in 1961. Following his death, the Hall was leased to the Leonard Cheshire Foundation. Following a major revamp, the Hall was re-opened as a hotel in 1999 followed by the addition of an extensive spa, golf course and leisure facilities in 2004. This imposing hotel is now owned and successfully run

by Sir Hugh and his wife Lady Blackett.

It certainly impressed Lisa and that was the object of the exercise. After unpacking, we headed

for the Conservatory Bar on the eighteenth hole of the golf course, the place where yours truly has missed many a short putt and enjoyed a couple of glasses of fizz before getting ready for dinner.

There are four venues to choose from with a variety of choices ranging from healthy to the sumptuously indulgent. We swerved the former for the latter and dined regally in the beautiful Library restaurant. This 2 AA Rosette restaurant presents a combination of classic and contemporary dining in magnificent stately surroundings. As it was a special occasion, we pushed the boat out with Lisa having asparagus soup with a raw quails egg dropped in to gently poach in the broth followed by a magnificent portion of beef Wellington whilst I kicked off with scallop spring roll and followed up with my preferred dish of all time namely fillet steak with peppercorn sauce. Very, very good food and service that would grace any London 5* hotel. We lingered into the night over a good bottle of Rioja and several more glasses of fizz which rounded off the perfect day.

The following morning, whilst not exactly up with the larks, I smugly crawled to the Spa for a non-sweaty pretend “workout” whilst Lisa passed this dubious honour in favour of a full English breakfast!

Matfen Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa is situated in Matfen Village (SatNav: NE20 0RH). Log onto www.matfenhall.com for more in-depth info or T: 01661 886500

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TRAVEL INSIGHT

Out & About Hexham & Hadrians Wall Stationmaster Alex Nelson has been suggesting places to go by train each month and for June, he takes a look around Hexham.

Days out by rail can be both near and far and a favoured local option is Hexham as a gateway to Hadrian’s Wall. Hexham is the only staffed station on the Tyne Valley Line, also known as the Hadrian’s Wall Country Line. A longstanding friend of mine, Fiona Forsythe, has recently been appointed as Community Rail Partnership Officer, based in a broom cupboard with barely room for a second person, on Hexham Station.

The Tyne Valley Line links Carlisle with Newcastle and winter landslips have been long cleared away so there is a regular service during the day of an hourly fast service on the whole route, and a local stopping service also every hour between Hexham and Newcastle. Many of these trains extend to Nunthorpe via Middlesbrough and west to Whitehaven. Hexham is the only staffed station between the principal cities, and the town Is worth a visit, particularly the Abbey. Simon Jenkins’ influential book “England’s Thousand Best Churches” says that few churches

in the North of England equal the spectacular interior and monastic relics of Hexham. It has been a place of Christian worship since 674AD and its crypt is particularly recommended.

But for the visitor, the greatest draw is Hadrian’s Wall and this year Go North East have taken over the appropriately named AD122 bus service which now runs between Hexham, stopping outside the railway station on its run down from the bus station, and Haltwhistle, also outside the station. In between it stops at Chesters, Housesteads, Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum at Walltown. Two special blue and yellow buses take roughly an hour end to end and people hop on and off at the various sites, largely along General Wade’s Military Road, now the B6318. I must admit having some envy for two tourists who got off at Brocolitia, one of the smaller sites with a Temple to Mithras, which had an empty car park. They had the whole site to themselves on a bright spring morning.

NEW NATIONAL RAIL MAP NOW ON SALE! Chester-le-Track produces a map of over 2,500 railway stations in Great Britain and Northern Ireland which is available as a large poster, showing which train operating companies serve each station, and their routes, plus their logos and web addresses. It’s a great resource for regular rail passengers and enthusiasts. The current edition has new franchisees from 1 April and new stations opening, such as Lea Bridge which opened on 16 May. Copies are available for £10 from both our stations during opening hours, and £12.50 by post including postage and packing.

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If Hadrian’s Wall is not your thing, the Hexham Plus Bus Scheme enables you to use the Tynedale Links bus services to access to Allendale Town and/or Bellingham and Wark. Most Plus bus schemes just run to an urban boundary, but the Hexham scheme enables you to go deep into the country for only £2.30 for the day, £1.15 child and £1.50 for railcard holders. These have to be bought at a railway station but we can sell over the phone at Chester-le-Street, and it’s got to be one of the bargains of the North East.

Alex Nelson, Chester-le-Track trades at Chester-le-Street station (0191 387 1387) and Eaglescliffe (01642 200140).

To contact Alex, phone/text 07860 953981 any reasonable time. www.nationalrail.com.

For National Rail Enquiries call 24hr 08457 484950

For train bookings nationwide, in person, by phone or on the web!

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LEISURE INSIGHT

Barbecue Summers With the last couple of weeks of sunshine hopefully heralding the arrival of summer, our thoughts might turn to the garden and lots of lovely barbecues. But what wines should we be considering to accompany all that lovely al fresco cooking? I’ll make a few suggestions, some well known, others more obscure.

For me the most important feature of wines for the summer months is that they should be lighter, and fresher, not big thumping styles but wines with lower alcohol and more elegance.

On the matter of lower alcohol wines, here’s something to consider; what is the difference in alcohol between a bottle of wine at 12% alcohol and a bottle at 15% alcohol? Whilst maybe the spontaneous answer is 3% (obviously!) in reality it is 25% - the stronger wine has 25% more alcohol than the lighter wine volume for volume.

Let’s start the BBQ with one of the great wine success stories of recent years - Prosecco, sparkling wine from Italy. Prosecco is the new Cava, the wine of choice when a glass of fizz is required that isn’t Champagne. The best come from the Valdobiadenne region of North East Italy near to Treviso and are light and refreshing. With most rarely exceeding 11% alcohol it is the perfect wine for the garden.

For a lovely crisp and refreshing still white try an Albariño from Rias Baixas, in Galicia, north west Spain (the bit of Spain that sits above Portugal).

Here the local cuisine revolves around seafood and the local wines are a perfect match. The same can be said of Picpoul de Pinet, a superb dry white from the Mediterranean coast of France, just down the road from Montpellier. Both wines are elegance personified and at 11% - 12% alcohol not too hefty.

A summer lunch or BBQ would not be complete without a rosé or two - the archetypal sunshine wine. Some of the very best come from Provence in southern France where the sun seems to shine all the time. Very pale pink in appearance the wines are dry and searching, full of character and ideal to accompany both light and fuller dishes alike - a good rosé with a butterflied leg of lamb hot off the barbie is a match made in heaven!

ideal - light in body but full of flavour and ideal for open air occasions - they really are the perfect summer red. Whilst Burgundy is the classic home of Pinot Noir, it has now grown very successfully outside of France, especially in New Zealand, Australia, California and Chile. The nature of the Pinot Noir is such that it is equally at home partnering a juicy steak or grilled seafood - very versatile and delicious.

For both the whites and rosés, make sure you get the youngest wines you can. Generally these style do not age well and are best enjoyed in their youth.

Other reds that would do the job well are the wines from the Beaujolais region of France where the ripe and juicy reds from the Gamay grape make great summer wines. Fleurie is probably the best known of the area’s wines but there are a great many to choose from that will all work well.

Finally, you might want to seek out a red from the Loire Valley. Choose Chinon or an offering wine from neighbouring Bourgueil. Both are made from Cabernet Franc and produce soft and slightly spicy styles that are again suited to being chilled.

When it comes to red wines, go for a fresh and juicy style that, in warmer weather, can be served slightly chilled. Wines made from Pinot Noir are

With no end of lovely wines to accompany the BBQs let’s just hope the good old British weather doesn’t let us down too much! Enjoy!

Further information about the aforementioned wines can be found at www.richardgrangerwines.co.uk or instore at Richard Granger Fine Wine Merchants, West Jesmond Station, Lyndhurst Avenue, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 3HH

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GIVE YOUR BEARD SOME LOVE

Tut, tut. When it comes to beards we’ve seen all kinds of misbegotten shapes.

But for the civilised gentleman, unruly fuzz simply won’t do. Our natural beard oils will leave you with a man-mane that’s lustrous, easy to shape and smells fantastic. Nourishing ingredients soften both skin and hair – keeping prickly whiskers and the dreaded beard flakes at bay – leaving you with a beard to envy.

Jolly good show.

TALENT IS IN THE CHOICES

www.alphamalegrooming.co.uk | 0191 285 2955

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9th & 10th July 10am - 4pm The world’s finest cars on one of Britain’s most beautiful streets.

NE1 Newcastle Motorshow, Grey’s Monument and Grey Street.

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LEISURE INSIGHT

The Fighter and the Writer In the first of a new series of articles, the North East’s first World Boxing Champion Glenn McCrory and award winning journalist John Gibson visit some of the regions culinary hotspots.

Their tour begins at the Black Bull, Wark, Northumberland

It’s a hotel and country kitchen locked away in the pretty Northumbrian village of Wark, ideal for those wishing to spread their wings with the summer rapidly approaching and take to the road. excellently furnished, individual rooms upstairs, all en-suite and some with a four poster bed. The perfect resting place for those with time on their side and little inclination to motor late in the evening, preferring a nightcap in the bar.

The Black Bull Hotel was established way back in the mists of 1735 but has been renovated recently in a bringing together of the old and new.

The Fighter (Glenn McCrory) made his way down Hadrian's Wall from Carlisle where he had been undergoing an actor's class no doubt feeling like Russell Crowe's Gladiator while The Writer (John Gibson) travelled from the other end, Newcastle, deep into rolling countryside.

It's the perfect stop over with visitors finding themselves surrounded by the fantastic scenery of the beautiful Tyne Valley, and only a stone’s throw away from one of the wider stretches of the Upper River Tyne.

It was to be an evening of feast and fun as the sun shone brilliantly upon pre-dinner drinks in the garden outside.

John began with home smoked chicken caesar salad, splendid at £6.30 while Glenn went for ham hock terrine with red onion marmalade and melba, a steal at £5.50.

Thus fortified, our intrepid pair moved on to an eight ounce ribeye steak with a vegetable garnish, tomatoes and onions for Gibbo at £13.50 while Glenn settled for a tenner's worth of venison burger with mayonnaise salad and chips. A knock out, he told us, and John was equally pleased with his succulent and tender steak medium rare.

Naturally washed down with a rather full bodied bottle of red wine.

When the chef Paul Rae came to receive the gratitude of The Fighter and The Writer his pristine uniform was topped by the badge of Newcastle United, much to the delight of Gibbo.

Finally after taking their time in the most pleasant of surroundings Gibbo went for a lighter raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake (£5.50) while McCrory, no longer undergoing the weight restrictions of his world title cruiserweight division, plumped for sticky toffee pudding with ice cream (£4.90).

The pricing was excellent for a three course meal - John's total for food was just over £25 and Glenn only pence more than £20.

The beauty of the Black Bull is that it has nine

But then the local newsagents across the road was adorned with Leicester City shirts and scarfs emblazoned with the word "champions" lovingly put on display by the owner who just happens to come from England's Premier footballing city.

Quite a surprise in a little village buried deep in Northumbria.

However it was an altogether warming experience of life in our most pleasant part of the world.

If you would like Glenn and Gibbo to review your venue, please contact Mike on mjgrahamslaw@outlook.com to co-ordinate.

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LEISURE INSIGHT

Get Your Grill On! National BBQ Week Is Here THE BLACK BULL HOTEL & COUNTRY KITCHEN EST 1735

Restaurant Week WARK ON TYNE | NORTHUMBERLAND | NE48 3LG

Week commencing 30/05/2016 to 05/06/2016 with 50% off all food for this week To salute the start of summer, we’re giving you a chance to bag yourself a BarbiBox. This May Bank Holiday from 30th May - 5th June marks the start of summer and what better way to celebrate than to get the flames going and get grilling in style. Now in its 20th year, National BBQ Week will be looking to encourage even more Grill Thrills and Gastro Grilling, encouraging friends and families to come together and embrace the BBQ culture, come rain or shine!

This year’s sponsors include: Lead sponsor & Official BBQ Wine - Majestic Wines – Perfect Wines For A Great BBQ Official BBQ Beer - Bombardier Burning Gold – The Beer of BBQs Official BBQ Sausages - debbie&andrew’s – A Real Taste of the Country Official BBQ Book - Fire & Smoke BBQ Recipe Book by celebrity chef Rich Harris (published by Kyle Books, priced £19.99. Photography Martin Poole) Official BBQ Restaurant – At Harvester, whatever the weather, our BBQ’s always lit.

Competition entry

•Superb Sunday Lunches• with locally sourced produce

•Warm Northumberland Welcome• •Afternoon Teas now available• •High quality accommodation available•

THE BLACK BULL HOTEL

& COUNTRY KITCHEN To book please email hello@blackbullwark.com or phoneEST on 01434 230 318 1735

WARK ON TYNE | NORTHUMBERLAND | NE48 3LG

Simply answer these two easy questions to be in with a chance of winning a BarbiBox packed with prizes! Please cut out and send answers to Northern Insight, c/o 39 Nicholson Terrace, Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 9DP

1. Name one of our sponsors?

2. Name one thing you grill on a BBQ? Name

Email Closing date: 30th June. For more information, visit www.nationalbbqweek.co.uk

Terms and Conditions: Entry to the competition is solely by way of a fully completed entry form; Entrants must be 18 years or over; Value of Box contents circa £50. Contents of box may vary; Packshot is representative of the prize only. Judges decision is final.

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INTERVIEW

In Conversation With...

Chris Land Sales and Services Manager, Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital What were your career ambitions growing up?

What are you currently working on?

Certainly not to be a lawyer or anything like that.

I really just wanted to earn enough money to do what I wanted to do – and be happy of course.

A number of exciting projects including an outreach clinic offering key services in Carlisle. We are soon to launch a private GP service which will be available from 9am-7pm 6 days week. Finally we are establishing links with a private hospital in Egypt which will be a Rolls Royce service and pathway from that one to this.

Can you briefly outline your career path so far for the readers?

After leaving University I joined Barclays Bank where I became a 22 year old manager after completing their Management programme. I was hugely ambitious and tasked with reviving some of the struggling branches which was great fun.

I then joined Bathstore and opened their Jesmond branch a week before Christmas which went onto be their first store to achieve £1million sales within the first 12 months of trading. 4 branches in Scotland and Lancaster followed as I took on a Regional multi site management role.

I have since had spells with Fastway Couriers, running a national network of depots and nearly 5 years with ThyssenKrupp as UK Sales and Marketing Manager.

Crossing industry's has been tremendously beneficial in learning how business works.

What attracted you to your current role?

Becoming a father meant I wanted to work on a regional level to be near to my family. Healthcare wasn't on my radar but the Nuffield talent acquisition team reached out to me. There are many synergies with my former role as patients need care and ethically I feel I can make a big difference.

Describe a typical day?

with Barclays at a glittering awards ceremony at Madame Tussauds. This came after giving specialist advice to a widowed and retired Headteacher which saved her a fortune in inheritance tax and made her a wealthy individual.

What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?

Stop chasing money. Chase success and the money will come later.

My main function is to drive sales and improve service. However on any given day I may work with a consultant on bringing a procedure to market,deal with the nurses and speak to patients both pre and post surgery. My role is in equal measure challenging, rewarding and stimulating.

My parents who gave me a wonderful upbringing.

Also Sir Alex Ferguson...a man of great ethics and standards.

What would say are the Nuffields unique selling points?

My 2 year old son doesn't leave much time for this but golf when I can.

As a charity every penny we make is reinvested back into the business. We also guarantee consultant led care and the Nuffield fixed price treatment promise.

loved, hated, envied – hopefully not all by the same people.

What major achievement are you proudest of in the past 12 months?

We have established a fantastic link with Newcastle School for Boys giving pupils regular talks on health and wellbeing. It has been fantastic to give something back to our local community.

Who are your heroes in and out of business?

How do you like to relax?

How would you like to be remembered?

Favourite Book: The Wolf of Wall Street Favourite Film: The Godfather – all of them.

Favourite CD: enjoying Itunes streaming service at the moment, a good variety.

What is your best business achievement?

I was very proud to receive "The Eagle Award"

Contact: 0191 212 5215/212 5274 Newcastle.enquiries@nuffieldhealth.com

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SUNDAY TIMES BEST SCHOOL IN THE NORTH 2015

A special place, respected nationally with results outstanding by any measure.

Royal Grammar School www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk 0191 212 8968 Newcastle Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX

Newcastle Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4DX

18-843 273x180 May.indd 1

13/05/2016 15:44

Meet our Consultants.

Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital is proud to make our experts available to share insight and answer questions on your medical needs.

We run FREE patient open events which are held within our hospital and cover a wide range of specialities including women’s health, cosmetic surgery, sport injuries, men’s health and many more. Our consultants deliver presentations providing patients with information on diagnostic techniques and treatments followed by complimentary one-to-one advice sessions. These evenings are both relaxed and informal and patients are under no-obligation to proceed with surgery.

Interested? Contact our dedicated customer service department to discuss upcoming events.

0191 212 5215 / 0191 212 5274 Newcastle.enquiries@nuffieldhealth.com

HEALTH INSIGHT

A bespoke health and fitness approach Personal training business Bodyguards has been widely regarded as the go-to place for health and fitness advice in Newcastle since 1993. Deborah Johnson speaks to Managing Director Duncan Edwards about their unique approach.

All too often, health and fitness is defined by numbers – how far you've run; how long you've spent exercising; how many calories you've consumed; how much weight you've lost.

Which is why the approach of Bodyguards is a breath of fresh air for many. For them, it's not just about quantity - the focus is very much on quality too. Quality of lifestyle, exercise, diet, nutrition, and most importantly, health and quality of life.

And crucially, an appreciation that every client is different so an entirely bespoke approach is needed with each individual person.

And the business, which was Newcastle’s first and is the largest personal training service of its kind having been established in the city for over 20 years, is actively challenging the accepted buzz phrases in the fitness industry like “no pain, no gain”, “calorie cutting” and “move more, eat less”.

Instead, they place more emphasis on topics that bring about balanced health- nutrient content, hydration, stress management, mental health, digestion, inflammation, sleep/rest/ recovery, breathing, posture, spinal health, core stability and three-dimensional movement, to name but a few.

“In many cases, when people first come to us,

there is so much stress - be it physical, nutritional, mental or emotional - in their life, and as a result on their bodies, that it is far more beneficial for them to actually eat more (more good nutrientrich food, that is) and exercise less, so being more efficient with your ‘gym time’ by prioritising your exercises to reduce overall stress on the body," says Duncan Edwards, Managing Director of Bodyguards.

“With many of our clients, they work so hard in their careers to be successful, they sacrifice looking after themselves and their bodies fall out of balance – vigorous exercise is another significant form of stress on the body, so to introduce more stress into that situation before reestablishing balance would not be the best option, often leading to more problems down the line.

“And while you often hear ‘no pain, no gain’ quoted in relation to exercise, I find that when you're in pain, it's usually a sign that something is wrong or out of balance. It's not about jumping around until you're hurting to achieve results, and those results can often be temporary. We want to work with our clients to show them how to achieve positive lasting changes to their health

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by teaching them how to implement healthy principles into their lifestyles, such as how to eat, how to move, how to listen to their body and how to improve their body’s function as a whole.

"It's not an approach usually associated with personal trainers, but we prioritise health first, and then fitness.

"We take a holistic approach – while that word is often associated with tree hugging, it actually means the sum of all parts, we look at the human body as a whole, every system is taken into consideration. So that’s not just the musculoskeletal system - it's the immune system, hormonal system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, digestive system and so on. It's about so much more than just exercise. But it’s really not complicated or difficult, some simple steps can make a huge difference and when people have got it right we’ve seen some seriously outstanding results.”

From its discreet, private facility on Jesmond’s popular Clayton Road, Bodyguards’ seven-strong team train a wide range of clients, working with leading business figures, professional athletes, young and retired people alike.

HEALTH INSIGHT

The business has established itself at the heart of Jesmond and Newcastle’s community and is well-respected even by health professionals for its advice.

Having spent 15 years as a personal trainer at Bodyguards, and many years playing sport and working in gyms before that, sports science graduate Duncan knows his subject inside out, and his understanding of – and passion for – nutrition amongst other topics of health is probably unrivalled in fitness circles.

That knowledge is something he is keen to pass on to clients, to equip them to make lasting changes to their diets, lifestyles, fitness and consequently their health.

“Our analogy for health and fitness is that your body is like your bank account and energy is the currency of health. If you keep spending all the time and don’t make any deposits every now and again in the way of quality nutrition, hydration, sleep and recovery for example, then you'll plunge into the red and incur some hefty bank fees or interest, which equates to leaving yourself vulnerable to injury, illness and disease,” says Duncan.

“We aim to help our clients achieve and maintain a healthy balance. And it's only when you achieve that balance that you are capable of introducing more stress, such as intense exercise without causing further problems.

"A person’s own individual nutritional important factor to take into account and I use a method known as Metabolic Typing® with most of my clients to identify their own personal needs.

Many people who live in the North East nowadays are actually descended from places all across the world and as a result we all have differing genetics that means we all do best on different diets with different foods.

"As Hippocrates said: “One man’s food is another man’s poison”, meaning what works for a friend might have absolutely no effect on you and could even make a third person worse, so it's important to know what's right for your body.

This refers to exercise as well as nutrition.

"But what makes Bodyguards unique is that we acknowledge that every person is different.

We do not give out generic advice and it is all about the individual person. That's what will always separate Bodyguards from other health clubs, who cram as many people as they can into their gyms with cheap monthly memberships and minimal guidance. We focus on every client as an individual person and can tell them what it takes to get back into their healthy balance, and we strive to help them achieve that.”

A reminder of that balance is everpresent in the gym, with a distinctive graffiti art mural adorning the wall. It serves as a reminder of the need to strike a balance between the black

and red areas, the yin and yang, to achieve homeostasis and therefore optimal physical and mental performance and wellbeing.

"It says a lot to me that at this point in time, there have never been more gyms and more people having gym memberships, yet levels of diabetes and obesity have never been higher.

There is something clearly wrong there. It goes to show that exercise alone is not working,” says Duncan.

“There is too much obsession nowadays with how much exercise we do, and not enough on the type and quality of exercise we do. People are mindlessly exercising out of habit. "Bodyguards personal trainers are all about ‘exercise intelligence’ and showing clients how to be more efficient with the time they spend in the gym.

After all, Einstein’s definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. For you to improve your health and change your body for the long term, there has to be an holistic approach, not just exercise in isolation.

“Neither is it about making 20 changes to your life and diet in the first week, getting temporary results, then lapsing back into your old habits, putting back on the weight you've lost and some more. It's a gradual process but with the right guidance, information and support, you will get there – and Bodyguards can help you do that.”

For more information call 0191 2399000 email: info@bodyguardsapt.com www.bodyguardsapt.com BodyGuards Health & Fitness, Jesmond House, Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1UJ

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LEISURE INSIGHT

Stobo Castle Health Spa - Scotland’s only destination spa The magnificent Scottish Castle is set deep within the Scottish Borders countryside in private grounds and surrounded by vast pine forests and a tranquil lake. Award-winning Stobo Castle is the ultimate escape where one can indulge in a luxurious haven, unwind and enjoy some of the finest hospitality and first class service that Scotland has to offer.

From the sweeping driveway when one enters the castle, guests are enveloped into an environment of unrivalled luxury, serenity and calmness. The personality of each room is unique but all are rich and elegant with perfect ambience to make one feel comfortable. The internationally renowned Cashmere Suite is Scotland’s most luxurious and opulent bedroom. A haven of sensual pleasure, it is the ultimate in style and comfort, featuring cashmere wall coverings and “his and her” four poster beds. A handcrafted, oval limestone bath weighing over a ton and big enough for two is the focal point, with an extensive range of Molton Brown products for guests to enjoy whilst relaxing in the decadence of the bathroom.

Guests at Stobo are drawn to Scotland's only 25m Ozone Pool offering panoramic views of the Borders countryside and giant Hydrospa with relaxing water jets. Knowledgeable fitness trainers run a full range of classes throughout the day, suitable for every level of fitness. Three outdoor, torch-lit hot tubs, the mixed sauna and a Relaxation Suite are all recent additions to the spa attractions on offer.

Whatever the senses desire, there are customised spa treatments available to detoxify, smooth, tone and revitalise as the mood suits, carried out by highly-trained personal therapists.

The new range of Couples Treatments include truly special rituals designed for two people

to enjoy together or be massaged with 2,000 litres of warm water without getting wet on a Dreamwater massage bed.

The gently burbling Japanese Water Gardens are truly spectacular and are specially designed to promote a Zen-like calm. Water from the Stobo Lake tumbles down a cascading waterfall, whilst delightful little bridges take you over peaceful pools.

At Stobo chef's create dishes sourced from

only the finest Scottish produce that are not only delicious but promote healthy eating whilst satisfying even the heartiest appetite. In case there was any doubt, decadent desserts are on the menu, as are champagne, cocktails and fine wine.

Stobo Castle combines the finest spa facilities in Europe with premier hotel service and adds a personal touch to make Stobo your very own personal haven.

For more information contact: reservations@stobocastle.co.uk 01721 725300 Stobo, Peeblesshire, EH45 8NY www.stobocastle.co.uk

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Revitalising Break from £125 a night – Save £24!

Includes: • Luxurious accommodation in the main castle • All meals from dinner on arrival to lunch on departure • Unlimited use of the spa facilities • A range of optional fitness and aqua classes • Guided country walks including the Japanese Water Gardens • Complimentary slippers and use of fluffy bathrobes

Available throughout June & July 2016 (excludes Friday & Saturday nights). Prices are per person.

Stobo Castle Health Spa, Stobo, Peeblesshire, EH45 8NY reservations@stobocastle.co.uk www.stobocastle.co.uk Tel: 01721 725300

LEISURE INSIGHT

On the Tee-box Slaley Hall, Hexham

Location Located 7 miles from the idyllic market town of Hexham. Situated 35 minutes away from Newcastle International Airport and Newcastle city centre.

Slaley Hall is ‘Today’s Golfer’ best golf resort in the North East 2016 for the 2nd year running.

Setting An Edwardian mansion set in 1,000 acres of Northumberland countryside. A home to both the Hunting and Priestman family in previous years relating to our 2 championship golf courses named The Priestman and The Hunting.

A previous European tour venue with famous winners, Colin Montgomery, Retief Goosen and Lee Westwood.

Length of course The Hunting course Green Tees – 7088 yards White Tess – 6850 yards Yellow Tees – 6530 yards Red Tees – 5903 yards The Priestman course Green Tees – 6951 yards White tees – 6597 yards Yellow tees – 6271 yards Red Tees – 5755 yards

Course Type A Dave Thomas designed, 36 hole golf complex,

the challenge is laid down: two championship standard courses to test the best golfing brain The Hunting's tricky approach, The Priestman's water hazards.

The 2 layouts are challenging yet fair. The tight tee shots of the Hunting course and the sweeping fairways of the Priestman provide a test for all levels of golfer.

This is golf at its best.

Signature Hole The 6th hole, on the Hunting course, a stunning par 3 over what seems to be a huge mass of water. This plays in the mind of the golfer as they attempt to hit their sweetly struck tee shot into the heart of the green. Walking off with a 3 is a great result on this hole.

stock custom fitting with Taylor Made & Titleist.

Prices Midweek Green Fee – Priestman from £30, Hunting from £40 Weekend Green Fee – Priestman from £40, Hunting from £50 Corporate/Society and Charity packages available with further discounts on larger groups.

Memberships QFairway Membership - £375 Slaley Country Club Golf & Leisure Membership - £1250 Slaley Country Club Golf & Leisure 5 day Membership - £800

Toughest Hole The 9th of the Hunting course, a tricky tee shot with a tree lined fairway are only the start the challenge at hand. A water hazard diagonally cutting across the fairway accompanied with a sloping green proves a challenge for all.

Slaley Country Club Golf Only Membership - £975 Slaley Country Club Golf Only 5 day Membership - £680

A Word from the Pro:

Facilities The fully equipped Driving Range is floodlit, so you can practice into the night. Two Putting Greens are also available as well as a Short Game Practice range. Buggies are available for hire on a daily or annual basis.

Golf Lesson with video analysis and flightscope monitor available. Tuition prices from £25. A fully

Steven Fawcitt (PGA Professional) here at Slaley Hall we boast the two finest courses in the North East. Both courses are testing in their own right, the Priestman has great views with challenging greens, the Hunting course makes you think about your tee shot to make the best angle to approach the undulating green. For tuition contact: sfawcitt@qhotelsgolfacademies.co.uk

Any further information please contact Jonny Mould – Head of Golf on 01434 676554, email jmould@qhotels.co.uk

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MAKE YOUR EVENT

STAND OUT

Set in 1,000 acres of stunning Northumberland countryside, Slaley Hall is a breathtaking venue for any conference or event.

• £3.5 million investment in 2016

• 400 free car parking spaces

• 11 conference and meeting rooms for up to 350 delegates

• 36 holes of golf - Today’s Golfer Travel Awards 2016, Best Resort (North)

• 141 spacious bedrooms

• Team building

• Personal Wi-Fi login for your event

• Health club and spa

• Complimentary bedroom upgrade for VIP’s*

• Half an hour from Newcastle city centre

Call or email the hotel quoting “InSight”

20

14 - 2015

2014 - 2015

01434 676 512 | slaleyevents@QHotels.co.uk Hexham, Northumberland NE47 0BX QHotels.co.uk *Subject to availability

EXCLUSIVE OFFER (when you bring in this ad)

STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS from £30 per month FULL MEMBERSHIP from £39 per month Village Gym, which is located within the Village Hotel Newcastle, offers something very different to what you’ll find in most of the gyms around: • State-of-the-art spacious gym • The latest Technogym equipment • Over 100 FREE classes per week (inc. Les Mills, Spin, Zumba and Pilates) • New kids classes (5-13 yrs) • 25m swimming pool, sauna, steam room and whirlpool

• Newly refurbished changing rooms • MYZONE fitness tracking • Public House and Restaurant • Starbucks Coffee Shop onsite • Discounts off Village Spa beauty treatments • Exclusive food & beverage discounts in hotel • Free parking and Wifi

CALL US NOW TO BOOK A TOUR OF THE CLUB: 0191 270 6433 Village Hotel Newcastle, Cobalt Business Park, West Allotment, Newcastle upon Tyne NE27 0BY

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LEISURE INSIGHT

Scott and the Entertainers - in print!

Nobody has forgotten what they produced for Newcastle United, and now, under Mojo Risin’ Publishing auspices, ghost writer Will Scott is bringing those ‘Entertainers’ back to life some twenty plus years on.

was a prince among men and I still think about him every day.

It began with Wor Pav, bless his soul.

“I’d interviewed Pav a few times as a sports writer when he played for Newcastle, although he couldn’t remember. It was obviously more memorable for me than him.

‘Pavel is a Geordie,’ released late last year, mere weeks before his untimely passing, shook everyone to the core, including writer Will Scott.

Understandable really, the pair had become considerably close during the collaboration of the book that is on the verge of notching its first major award with a finalists nomination of the People’s Book Prize (vote here - www.peoplesbookprize. com/finalist.php#nonfictionFinalists_1383)

“Pav had so many good tales to tell that he had my head swimming. I’m guessing it took only about four months because of the intensity of our work schedule. Pav and I would meet up for an hour at lunchtime to go over a few things. I’d transcribe what he’d said while he went training with Sparta Prague. He’d pick me up, take me to dinner at his flat about 6pm and we’d work until midnight.

In a rare interview with journalist Will Scott he told Northern Insight: “We had a great time promoting the book. We put him on a flight to Prague after his stay and then four days later he’s had a heart attack. I couldn’t believe it.

“We’d repeat that process most days. It was quite exhausting but great fun and extremely rewarding.”

“He was one of the fittest men I’d ever met.

You looked at him and thought his clothes were spray-painted on. An odd glass of red wine was his only vice. He ate healthy and kept fit. It didn’t make sense.

“I can’t comment on how other people close to him coped but his passing hit me really hard. We became good friends while writing the book. Pav

Although Pavel was one of the first, and close to the hearts of the Geordie nation, a Geordie himself is now having his story penned alongside Will and the Mojo Risin’ family.

‘Black or White, no Grey Areas’ is the story of the cheeky chappie, ex Newcastle and Sunderland midfielder, current Kilmarnock manager, Lee Clark; the boy who lived the dream and came good (well except for joining the enemy, we’ll forgive you there).

Set to be a blockbuster following in the boots of Pav’s, Clarkie’s story is: “Coming along steadily and scheduled for an October release.

“This book has been a bit of a stop-start project because Kilmarnock came knocking earlier this year. But I can promise it will be explosive, funny and controversial. There’s something in there for supporters of every team he ever played for or managed.

“Lee is an incredibly sharp and quick witted individual. I reckon a lot of supporters were surprised when he became a manager, given his cheeky-chappie persona as a young footballer.

But you quickly realise he was born to become a manager in a matter of minutes in his company.

“The young Geordie boss has an astute eye for a player, like his mentor Kevin Keegan, and an amazing football brain.”

In addition Will Scott is to be working with that enigmatic of superstars, the Colombian all-star, Faustino Asprilla for which only Will can sum up….

“The Tino. It’s an autobiographical account, in cartoon form, of former Newcastle United favourite Faustino Asprilla. Think The Beano and Roy of the Rovers reading The Viz. We’ll have a lot of fun with this one. After all, Tino is as mad as a box of frogs!”

To vote for ‘Pavel is a Geordie,’ a finalist in the People’s Book Prize, visit the site, register, and vote for Wor Pav www.peoplesbookprize.com/finalist.php#nonfictionFinalists_1383.

Enquire about Mojo Risin’ Publising via website www.mojorisinpublishing.com Email info@mojorisinpublishing.com Telephone 0191 2299632 Twitter @mojorisinbooks

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Photo credit: Singe Vert Photography 2015

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