Celebrating 200 years of North East business
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2015
Showbusiness 20 years of Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena
Trading up
International trade with UKTI North East
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200 YEARS OF NECC 200th Anniversary Gala Dinner in pictures
PROFILE
THE BODYGUARD PAUL HUTCHINSON: The reality of protecting princes, PMs and executive personnel in an increasingly dangerous world SPECIAL FOCUS: PLACES TO DO BUSINESS
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Be part of North East history CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF NORTH EAST BUSINESS To round off the 200th anniversary programme NECC is producing an official book to commemorate and celebrate 200 years of North East business and we want you to be part of it. The book, which will be published at the end of the year, will be a fantastic memento of 2015. It will also celebrate the future of North East business; profiling industry sectors that are key to the region’s success in the years ahead and a look-back at our great businesses and what we have achieved together over the past 200 years. The book will be displayed in many of our members’ business receptions around the North East, providing bite size chunks of information, facts and commentary to ensure local, regional, national and international visitors better understand the story and the strengths of our great businesses and our great region.
BE PART OF THE STORY It is important that you, our members, are part of this story. We would like to receive up to 6 of the oldest photographs you have of your premises; inside and out, your products, brands and people. If you have a similar image of your premises now that we can put alongside these, that may also be used.
▴ Ringtons original delivery van in the early 1900’s
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR IMAGES All pictures need to be high resolution, print quality images (ideally +300 dpi - dots per inch). Please send any pictures to charlie.nettle@necc.co.uk including the title of the image and the approximate year in the filename of each image. Please confirm in your email that you are able to give NECC permission to use the images (i.e. you own the copyright). We are looking to receive all pictures by 31 Oct 2015.
▴ Newcastle International Airport 1935
▴ Barbour’s first factory in South Shields 1957
If you would like to be a part of North East history and sponsor this exclusive commemorative publication, contact Sandy Gamlin on 01661 844115 or email sandy@offstonepublishing.co.uk
PROUD TO BE SUPPORTED BY OUR ANNIVERSARY PATRONS:
Welcome...
Welcome to the latest edition of Contact magazine. This month we showcase everything from our 200th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Durham Cathedral, to the efforts of our volunteers, and we profile positive news from our smallest members to global giants. I enjoy a good party as much as the next man, and the NECC Gala Dinner will live long in the memory. A one-off event held in the shadow of Durham Cathedral celebrating our 200th anniversary, our members’ achievements and North East toil and innovation as a whole. What an event it proved to be. Nearly 800 people were in high spirits to raise a glass to our region’s
NECC president Mike Matthews on celebrating the work of NECC and its members
business community and help us showcase the talent we have had throughout our past, we have in our present and we continue to develop to spearhead future economic growth. There are far too many thank yous to place on record here; what I can say is that we are incredibly grateful to all the supporters of this marvellous event. Our hosts, speakers, sponsors, caterers and guests all ensured this was the biggest and best birthday party. Speaking of parties, it’s fantastic to once again support the North East Business Awards. NECC and NCJ Media have been working together for the past four years to make sure these regional honours have become one of the landmark events in the business calendar. As an organisation, NECC takes great pride in the fact that the vast majority of winners come from the NECC membership. We are the chamber of champions and long may this continue. I’d also like to congratulate NECC’s team of fundraising champions. A team of hardy athletes pounded the pavements of Tyneside in this year’s Great North Run to raise money for the Toma Fund, which offers vital support to ill children and their families. I hope you enjoy reading about their fundraising effort, and the blisters they earned in the process!. Mike Matthews MBE, NECC president
EDITOR Jane Pikett jane@offstonepublishing.co.uk EDITORIAL TEAM Dean Bailey Liz Hands Elise Rana Hopper Owen McAteer Paul Robertson Contact is the magazine for NECC members. News and press releases should be sent to submissions@necc.co.uk ADVERTISING Contact our commercial team 01661 844 115 sales@offstonepublishing.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson www.kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson www.nrphotography.co.uk Peter Skelton www.photo-psp.co.uk
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“Lady Gaga’s first show here was one of the biggest tours we’ve ever seen, she brought 35 trucks with her. Prodigy was certainly one of the loudest.”
“Many people would like England to win the Rugby World Cup, but I’d like to see more from the event, including more businesses opening their eyes to other markets.”
“All the fantastic work unions do with employers, working together to become good wealth creators - we never hear those stories in the press.”
Metro Radio Arena
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Contents
To keep up to date with all the latest NECC and member news download the NECC app by searching for NECC in the Apple app store and on Google Play
Plus 08 INBOX News and views from the world of business
34 SKILLS
Apprenticeships and training
38 EXPORT
Working in the golbal marketplace
41 SPECIAL FOCUS
Places to do business
51 APPOINTMENTS
Movers and shakers
53 DOUBLE TAKE
Features 06 60 SECONDS
With Sage Gateshead director Abigail Pogson
09 IN MY VIEW Paul Hutchinson
With NECC’s James Ramsbotham
28
The professionals
55 FAB 5
Your first boss...
56 OUT TO LUNCH
With TTE Technical Training MD Steve Grant
58 GNR 2015
We look back at this year’s Great North Run
22 NECC POLICY
The Northern Powerhouse
24 SUCCESS
The seven businesses representing the North East at the BCC Awards
26 SHOWBUSINESS
Paul Tappenden looks back at 20 years at Metro Radio Arena
28 THE BODYGUARD
The world of security with Associated Risks Group’s Paul Hutchinson
30 PEOPLE POWER
TUC regional secretary Beth Farhat
36 TRADING UP UKTI North East’s Julie Underwood 66 LAST WORD Story Homes’ Steve Errington
30
56
Clockwise from above: Beth Farhat, Steve Grant and Steve Errington
66
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60 SECONDS
Music maestro
Abigail Pogson, MD of Sage Gateshead, on live music, leaps of faith and the importance of the arts
A
mid Sage Gateshead’s 10th birthday celebrations last December, the announcement came that a new pair of hands had been chosen to lead the award-winning music venue and education centre into its second decade. Former chief executive of Londonbased charity Spitalfields Music, Yorkshire-born Abigail Pogson took over from Anthony Sargent in May and is looking forward to the challenges - and responsibilities - of being at the helm of such an iconic and unique institution. Q We’re meeting for the first time how would you describe yourself so that I can recognise you? I am likely to have more layers of clothing on than you. After 15 years in the South East, I’m still acclimatising. I’m advised it will take me two years. Q Who did you look up to as a youngster? Teachers, writers, musicians; I was a huge consumer of information and experience in my young years and I was lucky enough to grow up in a quiet, slow place where exploring, reflecting and imagining were really possible. Q How do you compare now to your 21-year-old self? A little wider, a little wiser, still quick to laugh, slow to grumble. Just as incurably optimistic and determined!
Q What are your impressions of the North East arts scene? Strong, entrepreneurial, ambitious, deeply engaged –it’s fantastic. It was one of the big draws in coming here. Q What do you enjoy about your job? The artists, the participants, audiences and colleagues – the people really. I’m so lucky to work with an incredible range of people. Q Who and what inspires you? Artists and creative endeavour. Where creativity leads, good things happen. Q What makes you angry? The big stuff. The action I’m involved in isn’t the most immediate, but I do believe that the arts can contribute to improving our situation collectively and individually. Q What makes you happy? Last extreme happy moment: running across the sand at Tynemouth with my family at the weekend. Q Smartphones – good or evil? Fact of life. It’s how you use them. What could be better than a grandparent being able to see their grandchildren in pictures every day. Q What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Just do it. I’m all for leaps of faith – make your adventures, I think – in all aspects of life. We are at our best when we test ourselves.
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Q If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you do? Run off and hide probably! What could be worse than that – failure is a really important part of experience. Imagining possibilities and weighing them up is the essence of life. Q What music do you play at home? Home music isn’t a big thing at the moment – I’m not in that phase. It’s mostly live music – gigs at Sage Gateshead or other local venues. There’s such an amazing scene just within NewcastleGateshead, while the wider North East offers everything you could ever want. Q Do your children play musical instruments? We’re at the recorder and random hand percussion stage. It is often loud and sometimes pleasant. I am looking to the future on that front. Q What music do you think more people should hear? Anything which is new of any genre – I love the excitement of hearing something new. But I guess if we are looking for only one composer, I’d say Bach. For well documented reasons. Q Music is important because… There are so many reasons - it is for the soul, the mind and the body. It can touch us in such a profound way and open up so many possibilities.
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 7
INBOX
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Have you got something to say about Contact magazine or about business in general? Then inbox may be the perfect home for you. Send your views, comment and gossip to inbox@necontact.co.uk
Tweet Tweet! Here’s our pick of the best of NECC’s Gala Dinner on Twitter
TOP STUDENT
The dedication of an apprentice at a South East Northumberland surface mine has led to him being named Northumberland College Student Of The Year. Drew Barber, 20, works at Banks Mining’s Shotton surface mine near Cramlington, and studies at the college’s Ashington campus as part of his apprenticeship. He joined Banks Mining in 2012 on a three-year apprenticeship.
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE
Northumberland’s hills were alive with the Sound of Music, as stars from the show headed to Matfen Hall Hotel for a wellearned break. Danielle Hope and Steven Houghton had been wowing audiences at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle as Maria and Captain von Trapp. But the pair took a break to enjoy a few of their Favourite Things at the hotel, voted Large Hotel of the Year 2015.
BEST PLACE TO LIVE Winners Alyson Dixon and Tadele Geremew, with Steven Flack-franchise manager, Jennings Kia
KEEPING PACE
Jennings Kia, part of the Jennings Motor Group, stepped in to support Middlesbrough Council’s Tees Pride 10k run by donating a vehicle as a pace car. More than 2,500 people took part in the race in Acklam, Middlesbrough. Ethiopian Tadele Geremew, 30, from Newcastle, won the 10k race in 30 minutes 36 seconds. Alyson Dixon, 36, from Sunderland, was the first woman to finish.
Sunderland has been named as the top place in the North East and the fourth best location in the UK to make a living. The city was highly ranked in a new report by credit comparison website TotallyMoney.com which based its findings on wages compared to mortgage payments, the cost of living and the local jobs market in 64 towns and cities. Sunderland was only beaten by Blackburn, Derby and Cambridge in the league table, while London could only manage 26th position and Birmingham was 30th.
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MIDAS TOUCH
A fast-growing Teesside cladding business celebrated its links with Middlesbrough Football Club by unveiling 15 of its new ‘signings’ during a preseason photo-call of its own. Industrial sheeting and cladding expert Midas has recruited 15 new staff over the past 12 months – all from Teesside. Official Corporate Supporters of Middlesbrough FC, Midas staff took to the Riverside Stadium pitch for a team photograph.
SHE’S A MODEL
Digital marketer Sophie Hardy, from Newcastle based design agency Urban River, has been chosen to feature in October’s issue of Cosmopolitan magazine as a plus-sized model, in association with Evans Clothing. Sophie, 24, says: “I’ve been reading Cosmo for as long as I can remember, so to be recognised as a successful and stylish reader is a great personal achievement. I’m also hoping this opportunity will highlight that there is more to being ‘beautiful’ than looks alone.”
Durham ACF (@DurhamACF1): The Band and Bugles of Durham ACF at NECC200 at Durham Cathedral #northeastcadets #necc @NECCJames The Journal Business (@jnlbusiness): Stunning pics from @NEChamber’s bicentenary year gala dinner at Durham Cathedral Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid): Deeply honoured to speak @NEChambers 200th anniversary in the historic Durham Cathedral NECC (@NEChamber): We’ve built our own Lego marquee @durhamcathedral Can you guess how many white bricks were used? #NECC200 Nadine Hudspeth (@Nadine Hudspeth): Brilliant @gatesheadcoll students hard at work tonight at NECC dinner @Judith_Doyle9 #NECC200 #NETalent Lynsey Fairless (@NECCLynsey): NECC Gala Dinner #necc200
IN MY VIEW
@NECCJames
In my view
NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham reflects on a great celebration
W
hat a night! The NECC 200th Anniversary Gala Dinner was everything we hoped it would be and so much more. A breathtaking venue, fantastic speakers, wonderful food - and we got to share it all with our members. Our aim was to make the event more than just an annual dinner, and that was surpassed thanks to the hard work of NECC staff, the support of our sponsors and patrons and the backing of our membership. Durham Cathedral provided the perfect setting for the biggest business birthday party the region has ever seen - a showcase for North East business achievement, innovation, success and diversity. Nearly 800 of the region’s most influential business people honoured the region’s past, celebrated the present and toasted the future. I can’t begin to describe my pride at seeing the Cathedral lit up in NECC colours while listening to a message
from the Queen paying tribute to the chamber’s extensive list of achievements - a real landmark moment in our long and proud history. The Prime Minister’s message of support was also very welcome, but if he thinks that will quell our lobbying for a fairer deal for the North East, he is very much mistaken. We may have taken the night off, but we continue to fight the region’s corner and will do so unrelentingly until positive change is achieved - and even then, we have no intention of stoppping our efforts! The region is now facing the decision by SSI to mothball iron and steel making facilities on Teesside. We understand the decision, given the huge pressures on the international steel markets, and we thank the SSIUK management and staff for working so hard to try to ensure a positive outcome. This decision will have a significant impact throughout the region and the business community stands ready to work together to support the company and workforce as we continue to hold the ambition to retain steel-making on Teesside for the future. As NECC president Mike Matthews put it at the Gala Dinner: “The North East rolls with the punches, but like all great fighters we always come back off the ropes swinging.” 200 years ago, a small group of merchants came together in the realisation that businesses in the North East were stronger as a collective than they were as individuals. A lot of water has flowed past the
Guildhall in Newcastle, the venue of that historic get-together, but this bare fact remains as true today as it was two centuries ago. Our official birthday party may have been held in January, and what an occasion that was, but the Gala Dinner definitely felt like the crowning achievement of a stunning year of celebrating North East business. In the year the Government has put in place the foundation stones for the creation of a Northern Powerhouse, we are shining the spotlight on our innovators, manufacturers, creatives, designers, developers and deliverers. We have trumpeted their achievements and celebrated their successes. We have showcased our history, celebrated our present and set ourselves ambitious new goals for our future. 2015 has been quite the year and while NECC has spent much of it looking back, the majority has been spent looking forward. The year is not over yet, and we have plenty still to deliver in the last quarter, and the Gala Dinner not only marked the beginning of the end of our year of celebration, it also marked the beginning of the next 200 years of serving North East business. I wonder where that celebration will be held? Thank you to everyone for your support for our Gala Dinner - the sponsors, patrons, hosts, staff, attendees and caterers combined to create something wonderful – a truly magical night which will live long in the memory.
NECC members gathered at Durham Cathedral to celebrate 200 years of NE business OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 9
NEWS
NEWS TIME TRAVEL Experts are warning that a new court ruling requiring employers in sectors such as care and sales to pay workers to travel between clients’ homes could have a significant impact on UK businesses. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling could affect companies employing workers who don’t have a fixed place of work and who travel to and from appointments, says Andrew Willis, head of Croner Litigation at Wolters Kluwer. The CJEU ruled that time spent travelling to and from appointments by workers without a fixed place of work should be regarded as ‘working time’ for the purposes of the EU Working Time Directive.
NEWS JOBLESS RISE
NECC has greeted latest figures showing a rise in unemployment as a wakeup call to the region. North East employment has fallen by 23,000 over the last quarter to 68.1%, compared to a national rate of 73.5%, while unemployment in the region now stands at 8.5% compared to 5.5% nationally. Jonathan Walker, NECC head of policy and campaigns, says: “We have seen much positive news for the North East economy in the past month and our Quarterly Economic Survey shows a large number of NECC members growing their workforce. “But these numbers should serve as a reminder not to be complacent.”
Start spreading the news - again!
U
nited Airlines has announced its seasonal non-stop service between Newcastle and its New York hub Newark Liberty will return in summer 2016. The flights will operate six times weekly from the end of May to the beginning of September. Newcastle International Airport chief executive David Laws says: “The United Airlines service to New York was a route we were determined to deliver for the North East. “We have worked very hard, with our shareholders and other regional partners, to ensure the route has been a success and to secure this further operation. “As well as connecting the region to New York, United’s Newark hub provides access to a huge range of key cities,
including Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orlando in the United States, and Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver in Canada. “With a higher frequency and more seats on sale, this direct service is the first choice for leisure passengers and businesses alike.” Coun Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council and lead of the LA7 shareholders, says: “I said last year that the new route would be very significant in terms of enhancing regional connectivity, growing the economy, attracting inward investment and encouraging inbound tourism. “The 2015 operation has been a very solid start in these respects and I am confident that the return of the route at an increased frequency will further strengthen our region.”
SLEEPING ROUGH A chance meeting for Melissa Thompson and Keith Miller at the CEO Sleepout fundraiser has resulted in a new recruitment business, KMS Partners. Melissa Thompson is an experienced recruitment specialist and Keith Miller is MD of Middlesbroughbased Ecco Finishing Supplies, 2015 winner of the North East Export Team of the Year. They first met when Melissa took part in last year’s CEO Sleepout at Middlesbrough Football Club’s Riverside Stadium, an event Keith coorganised to raise £25,000 to fight local homelessness and poverty. KMS Partners specialises in recruiting for the manufacturing, production, engineering, blasting and painting, retail, logistics and supply chain sectors
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in association with
Melissa Thompson and Keith Miller
across the North East. With plans to open offices in Teesside and Tyneside, KMS also aims to recruit three new staff over the next 12 months.
PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS OPEN FOR ENTRIES Entries are now open for the prestigious North East Business Awards 2016. The awards, run by The Journal and The Gazette with support from NECC, recognise the best businesses in a range of sectors, with one firm taking the ultimate prize of North East Company of the Year. Last year the prize was taken by Durham-based kitchenware and homeware supplier Andrew James, a company run by two cousins which had gone from a start-up in their garage to turning over more than £17m, employing nearly 100 people and exporting around the world. The awards consist of three heats - Tyneside and
Northumberland, Durham and Wearside, and Teesside. Winners in 13 categories at each of the three heats then compete in the regional final, which takes place at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield on April 21 2016. There are awards for manufacturing, digital and social media, services and creative, as well as for the fastest growing companies, the best exporters, those showing the greatest innovation, the small business award and newcomer of the year. There are also gongs for environmentally friendly firms and companies which play a major role in their local community.
Entries close on Jan 5, 2016, www.nebusinessawards.co.uk
Ian Malcolm of ElringKlinger, winner of the Green Award in 2015 with Zoe Lewis, Middlesbrough College
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MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
TWEETS This month’s top tweets about NECC’s Member Anniversaries Club
Subsea UK @subseauknews Subsea UK’s Deepwater Developments session at #OE2015 at capacity! #subsea #energy #oil #gas Metro Radio Arena @ArenaNewcastle Follow us over on Instagram for some behind the scene pics from your fave arena! https://instagram.com/ arenanewcastle/ #Newcastle Augean plc @Augeanplc Volunteers from our Port Clarence site working today with @GroundworkNE at Clarence’s Community Gardens Naylors Surveyors @NaylorsSurveyor We are delighted to launch our new brand today, let us know what you think. http://ow.ly/RVAA8 Westray Recruitment @WestrayRecruit Budget 2015: Thoughts from small businesses on the National Living Wage http://ow.ly/RNC6F Gateshead College @gatesheadcoll Happy #InternationalLiteracyDay from our library Port of Tyne @Port_of_Tyne Our stand is looking great at #Seatrade Europe #cruise Newcastle Airport @NCLairport We think our #NYC #playlist needs a refresh to celebrate the return of @united...
200 years of NECC Prime Minister sends support for NECC bicentenary year at Durham Cathedral
Almost 800 members of the region’s business community joined NECC at Durham Cathedral and Palace Green for the biggest event of NECC’s 200th anniversary year. Guests at the NECC200 Gala Dinner were welcomed at Durham Cathedral with a performance from Durham Cathedral Choristers, a video message from Prime Minister David Cameron, and a keynote speech from Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills. NECC president Mike Matthews (pictured at the event, right) says: “It was a privilege for me, a former apprentice from Darlington, to speak in front of some of the most innovative, creative and highly respected individuals from the world of business. Our members are what make NECC. There remains a vital role for the chamber to play as the Government embarks on its Northern Powerhouse strategy and considers devolution. If we don’t grasp this opportunity, it’s not just the region that loses out, but the whole country.” The evening celebrated North East business, NECC and its members’ achievements in the last 200 years, and was sponsored by Heathrow and UK Trade & Investment.
GO GREEN Businesses and home owners in the North East are missing out on millions of pounds of government funding for renewable energy, latest figures reveal. Launched in 2011 to encourage the uptake of alternative energy systems such as biomass boilers, the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) fund has received more than 14,000 applications but to date less than 5% have come
12 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
from the North East, compared to 15% in the South West and 10% in the West Midlands. Ben Tansey, co-founder of Alnwick-based biomass specialist re:heat, says: “Historically, the North East has been at the forefront of the biomass sector. There is a real opportunity for businesses to tap into this government funding to introduce costeffective, ecologically friendly ways to heat their premises.”
in association with
Ben Tansey, co-founder of re:heat
NEWS BABY ON BOARD
Mobile childcare business The CrècheMobile Project has joined NECC’s Member Anniversary Club in its 25th year. The Gateshead-based organisation, which provides on-the-move childcare from its double decker bus, provides on-site childcare services for events, parties and festivals. As part of NECC’s Member Anniversaries Club, CrècheMobile can connect and share ideas with other members who celebrate big milestones in NECC’s bicentenary year. Ann Blackie, manager of CrècheMobile says: “We’ve planned a range of activities, including a free ‘Summer Fun’ activities programme in Gateshead.”
BEHIND THE SCENES
NEWS STEPPING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Steve Nendick, Cummins’ comms director Europe, Middle East, Africa (left) with James Ramsbotham NECC (right), and pupils of Richmond School, Adam Bowie, Mathew Smith, Sam York, Will Langstaff
Pupils from Richmond School got firsthand experience of the engineering sector when they joined an NECC Behindthe-Scenes business event at Cummins manufacturing facility in Darlington. Cummins, designer and manufacturer of power generation equipment, including its trademark red diesel engine, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Darlington. The organisation is one of 50 NECC members reaching significant anniversaries in NECC’s bicentenary year and is working more closely with NECC during the year.
The pupils enjoyed a site tour and heard about the transfer of the manufacture of low emission bus engines from China to Darlington. Andrew Heavisides, NECC relationship manager, said: “We’re working with schools to build bridges with business and help young people understand the career opportunities available in this region. “Schools are being challenged to engage more with business and NECC is well positioned to facilitate that.” Further information is available at www.necc.co.uk/events
in association with
Training consultancy Footprint Learning & Development has delivered customer experience development ahead of the opening of the new Hebburn Central community hub. Footprint, in its 10th year, has a longstanding partnership with South Tyneside Council, delivering leadership and customer service training.
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NEWS
PARTNERS UPDATE With Jo Fryett, head of NECC Partners We’ve had our summer and are now well into the run up to Christmas (yes, it does start in October!). I am delighted that Louise Hunter, director of corporate affairs at Northumbrian Water, has accepted the role of chair of Partners. I am excited to work with Louise, who has been a regular at Partners events for the last four years. Northumbrian Water was a founding member of the Partners programme, and to be working with a long-standing member organisation, which has been a big part of the Chamber’s journey so far, is fantastic. Louise and I have already started planning for the next
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12 months and we have a fantastic line-up ahead. Top of the list is an event with two special guests and a hot topic; we’ll be discussing the Northern Powerhouse with Rt. Hon. James Wharton MP and Mark Berrisford-Smith, chief economist at HSBC at a meeting in 2015 (more details to follow). We will also be going behind the scenes at Hitachi to explore the site following our meeting in 2014 with Darren Cunmer, who has again extended an invitation to Partners. I only wish there were more time to fit events in 2015 – but it does make for an exciting 2016. Jo Fryett, tel 07867 541 467 joanne.fryett@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCJo
SOPHIE’S TRY
NEWS
A Teesside graduate who started playing rugby at university has been named as one of the top three women players in the world. Sophie Spence, an Ireland rugby international, graduated with an MSc Sport Psychology and taught at Hartlepool Sixth Form College for three years. She is one of three players to be shortlisted for Women’s Player of the Year 2015 alongside New Zealand scrum half Kendra Cocksedge and France captain Gaëlle Mignot. “The nomination is a huge honour and something I didn’t expect - I am very thankful but still very shocked,” says Spence, who only started playing rugby during her time at Teesside when she was encouraged to give it a go by a friend. Spence now works as a Rugby Development Officer at Dublin City University and has already been named Guinness Rugby Writers Women’s Player of the Year. The winner of the Women’s Player of the Year 2015 will be announced on November 1.
Power trip The Minister for Local Growth and the Northern Powerhouse, James Wharton, visited Teesport to view the recent investments made at the port to support continued growth. During the tour, PD Ports CEO David Robinson showed the MP for Stockton South over £60m worth of investment spent in developing, upgrading and enhancing capacity to meet the demands of its customers in the past five years.
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NEWS
I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H
With Eamonn Leavey Head of NECC President’s Club
MOVING IN
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ome owners have started moving into their properties in the first phase of the unique The Malings residential development in the heart of Newcastle’s cultural quarter. The £15m eco-homes development in Ouseburn, named as one of the 30 coolest places to live in the UK by The Times, is creating a brand new community on the banks of the Tyne. The 34 homes are laid out in two terraces, with gardens and allotments staggered by height down to the Ouseburn and river beyond. The Carillion-igloo homes were built with sustainability as a key component. The low-energy design means they will cost up to 70% less to heat and supply
with hot water than traditional housing. The Malings also features ‘raingardens’, where extra water is collected and flows down into the river using the sustainable urban drainage system. All the homes released in this phase have been sold. Jan Dale, from agents Urban Base, says: “We couldn’t have wanted for a better start to this new community. Residents include people who have moved to the North East from Australia and China to live at The Malings. There are students, families, working people and semiretired people.” The second phase of The Malings has now been launched, including the showcase £360,000 Tower House apartment, which has a floor for each bedroom and a roof terrace.
??TOP 200 BACKED BY NECC NECC has been named headline sponsor of the region’s Top 200 - the annual list of the region’s top 200 companies published in October by The Journal, Newcastle, and The Gazette, Middlesbrough. The list is much-anticipated by the region’s business community and NECC’s sponsorship of the 2015 list coincides with the organisation’s own 200th anniversary. “It’s an honour to be celebrating our anniversary year alongside the success of the Top 200 businesses in the North East,” says NECC chief executive James Ramsbotham. “NECC is plugged into business like no other organisation and the chamber’s original purpose set out in 1815, of working together to achieve more, stands true to this day.”
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I must start with a big thank you to all the President’s Club members who attended the NECC200 Anniversary Gala Dinner at Durham World Heritage Site; your continued support is much appreciated. I had the pleasure of a tour of touch technology specialist Zytronic’s factory last month and it was fantastic to see the process behind its products. The team in Blaydon is market leading, and a great example of a North East-based workforce with global reach. It was also fantastic to see strong results for 2014 from Fastflow in Washington, and to read about its exciting growth plans. I must also congratulate One Awards from Peterlee, which is about to celebrate 20 years as an Access Validating Agency delivering Access to Higher Education diplomas. Last but not least, congratulations also go to John Widdowson, principal and CEO at New College Durham, who has been appointed president of the Association of Colleges (AoC). My thanks go to the team at Slaley Hall for hosting this year’s NECC President’s Club golf day. All those who took part had a great day at one of the North East’s best golf venues. My thanks also go to the Friends of Bowes Museum, which put on a private viewing for President’s Club members of the Yves Saint Laurent: Style is Eternal exhibition. Finally, I am delighted that President’s Club sponsor Brewin Dolphin is offering President’s Club members a free, no obligation financial planning review with one of its experts. For details contact John Duns at Brewin Dolphin.
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PLANS IN PLACE FOR GO SMARTER BUSINESS NETWORK
T
The Go Smarter Business Network will provide a legacy for the Go Smarter to Work programme.
hanks to funding from Department for Transport, hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland have been introduced to sustainable and active travel via Go Smarter, www.gosmarter.co.uk. The sustainable transport programme, which supports organisations and employees in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland through its Go Smarter to Work strand, is currently funded until March 2016. To secure the programme’s legacy and help employers to continue to encourage their staff to travel to and from work using sustainable transport, Go Smarter is currently piloting the Go Smarter Business Network. Initially comprising of organisations already engaged in the Go Smarter to Work project, the Go Smarter Business Network aims to continue the great work businesses have done to inspire and develop sustainable workforces. The Network will provide ongoing support to businesses that want to continue on their sustainable and active travel journey as well encourage new organisations to get involved. Member benefits will include: • Quarterly meetings with guest speakers. • An annual commuter survey to measure and evaluate staff travel habits. • Access to a transport planning professional to provide support and guidance on travel planning. • Networking opportunities with likeminded organisations from across Tyne and Wear. • There are also plans to introduce exclusive sustainable travel offers for employees of member organisations. Currently being piloted in the Tyne and Wear area, the Go Smarter Business Network is
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expected to launch in early 2016 following a review of the pilot scheme. It is hoped that, in future, the Network will expand to include other businesses within Tyne and Wear, and into Northumberland and Durham. Claire Whitfield, Principal Transport Planner at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, said: “Go Smarter’s current funding comes to a close in March 2016 and as a result we are putting plans in place to create a legacy for Go Smarter to Work that will support the hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees that have worked with us over the years. “The commitment to make positive changes to how people in the area travel to and from work has been amazing and we want to make sure that work can continue, even without further funding from Central Government. “Businesses already engaged with Go Smarter to Work will receive one year’s membership to the Go Smarter Business Network free of charge with other originations paying a nominal fee.” It is hoped the Network will support and encourage more people to take up walking, cycling, car sharing or using public transport to travel to and from work. For more information about the Go Smarter Business Network, please contact Claire Whitfield, Principal Transport Planner at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff at Claire.Whitfield@pbworld.com For more information about Go Smarter, visit www.gosmarter.co.uk
If you think Go Smarter could help your business, contact us via our website at www.gosmarter.co.uk
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NEWS News and views from NECC relationship managers
Ashleigh Swan and the Redu team win Newcomer of the Year in the Durham and Wearside final of The Journal and Gazette’s North East Business Awards
MONEY-SAVING MUM BOOSTS START-UP SUCCESS
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local start-up is on track for a turnover of more than £2m in only its second year, after joining forces with a thrifty North East mum and her social media following. Redu was formed in March 2014 by entrepreneurs Gary Hunter, Darren Williams and Sam Morton, all of whom had started and sold businesses previously, with the original aim of creating a money-saving app that compiled discount codes and vouchers. With funding raised from North Star, the Vouchshare app was to launch last October but took an unexpected turn when the trio came across Ashleigh Swan, a mother-of-three from Walkergate, Newcastle whose money-saving tips and tricks
already had a following of 30,000 on Facebook. Redu struck a deal to post links to the page from retailers signed up to the app, receiving a commission from sales made. “The result was almost instant,” says Williams. “We had all of these bargains and Ashleigh had an audience that seemed to love them.” The success of the pairing led to Ashleigh and the Ashleigh Money Saver brand being integrated into the business, with the creation of a website and investment in marketing and PR to grow its audience. Based at Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, Co Durham, Redu now has 16 members of staff, including 10 full-time ‘deal hunters’ trawling the internet for bargains.
TREATMENT WORKS A £7.7m upgrade to Northumbrian Water’s Seaton Carew Headworks and Seaton Carew Sewage Treatment Works has begun. The work, which will help protect Hartlepool’s bathing water quality and reduce the risk of flooding to nearby homes, began in August. The two sites, located near Tees Road, serve up to 155,000 people from Hartlepool, Seaton Carew, Billingham and surrounding areas. The work, which is expected to last until June 30, 2016, will be carried out by contractors, Interserve Construction Limited.
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NECC Global Welcome to new Global member VP Groundforce which is working on projects at home and in the Middle East; and Trident Manor, which offers risk management services for companies and individuals travelling around the globe. Matthew Ord tel 07717 300 351 matthew.ord@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCMatthew Medium Business Welcome to new members The CA Group, Beamish Transport, Seneca Global Energy, Close Brothers Asset Finance and H&H Insurance brokers. I look forward to meeting members at our next behind the scenes event at Caterpillar Peterlee on November 26. Andrew Heavisides tel 07912 478 961, andrew. heavisides@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCAndrewh Newcastle/ Gateshead Following a great first event, I’m looking forward to making the NECC Team Valley Monthly a regular event. Welcome to The Creche Project, Reed Recruitment, Conquer Maths and Aero Networks. Lynsey Fairless, tel 07834 444 627 lynsey.fairless@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCLynsey Teesside Thanks to Labman Automation for hosting a fantastic NECC Local networking event, and a warm welcome to One IT Systems & Support, Teesside Together, Rudby Hall, Teesside Financial Management, Teesside Industrial Controls and
Sanlam Private Investments. Tom Warnock tel 07714 845 617 tom.warnock@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCTom Northumberland I look forward to working with new businesses in the north of the region and continuing to support our members. Les Dixon tel 07850 740 645 les.dixon@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCLes Darlington and West Durham A warm welcome to Polymer Compounders Ltd, Glen Office Supplies Ltd, ETyres Durham, Osprey First Aid, Addo Printing Ltd and Coles Solicitors Ltd. I look forward to seeing you all at events in the coming months. Susan Anderson tel 07736 799 727 susan.anderson@necc.co.uk Essentials portfolio manager There have been some great additions to the Essentials group in recent months and I encourage you all to share your experiences with NECC with your business contacts. Julie Digman tel 07912 478 964 julie.digman@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCjuliedig Sunderland/ South Tyneside/ Durham New Durhambased member Infinite Air is a welcome addition to leisure activities in the area. Entries for the North East Business Awards are now open. Arthur Hodgson tel 07980 259 991 arthur.hodgson@necc.co.uk Twitter @NECCArthur
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POWERING AHEAD
N
ine Chambers of Commerce representing more than 16,000 businesses employing more than 1.4m workers across the North of England have produced a joint assessment of the considerable opportunities the Northern Powerhouse can provide the UK economy. The assessment comes as part of the joint submission by the Chambers to the Treasury’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), which will be announced in November. Commenting on the submission, Ross Smith, director of policy at NECC, says: “The North of England’s economy represents a quarter of the whole of the UK. However, for several decades the North’s economy has underperformed. In this submission we urge the Chancellor to
take the opportunity now, to change the rhetoric and start a meaningful conversation. The UK economy is presently in a much weaker position than it could be, and the capacity clearly exists within our regions to deliver a significant increase to UK GDP. Unlocking this opportunity should be a national economic priority and not left in a ‘regional policy’ niche. We want the Northern Powerhouse to become a reality and we are committed to playing our part.” Key recommendations to the Treasury include fair transport infrastructure spending allocation, an equalising of energy generation charges, more emphasis on re-training slightly older workers to meet future skills needs and relaxing restrictions on international students remaining in the UK to work. • See page 22-23 for more
FOOD FUEL CALL Restaurants and businesses across the region are being asked to commit to recycling their food waste. Award-winning waste management firm Warrens has launched a Food Fuel initiative, which allows businesses to generate sustainable energy while also diverting waste from landfill. Its members include the Michelinstarred Raby Hunt near Darlington, Middlesbrough Football Club, and Matfen Hall Hotel and Spa in Northumberland. The scheme is the idea of brothers Adam and Antony Warren, owners and chief operators of the family business established in 1946. Waste is converted into green energy
Adam and Antony Warren
using the firm’s anaerobic digester plant and for every tonne of food waste recycled the plant can generate enough energy to power a fridge for a year. “Our members save thousands of pounds in landfill tax plus they’re helping to generate clean, green energy and are diverting tonnes of waste from being sent to landfill,” says Adam Warren.
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THROUGHOUT THE NORTH EAST Hexham, Ponteland, Sunderland, Yarm, Crook, Portobello www.rowlands accountants.co.uk
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NECC POLICY
Power to the people Devolution, investment, and a revolution in policy making are crucial if the Northern Powerhouse is going to ignite the region’s economy - and the answers may lie with Chancellor George Osborne, argues NECC’s director of policy Ross Smith
O
n November 25, Chancellor George Osborne sets out his spending plans for the next five years in what should be a pivotal moment for this Government, and an opportunity to ignite the region’s economy and address the issue of devolution. Obviously, tackling the deficit remains Osborne’s priority, which is why Government departments have been challenged to find a further £20bn of savings, which could mean up to 40% of further cuts in some
budgets on top of the last five years of austerity. And with areas such as health and overseas aid protected, departments with important regional responsibilities - including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Department for Communities and Local Government - may bear the brunt of the cuts. If it’s going to avoid a serious impact on public services and economic growth, the Government is going to have to do some things very differently - and the private sector is going to need
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maximum opportunities to flourish. First and foremost, there must be a considerably more ambitious approach to devolution, ensuring money is spent as effectively as possible in every part of the country and with a concerted effort to support growth in the North. The Chancellor has championed the idea of the Northern Powerhouse, and the Spending Review is his opportunity to convert this stated support into a strategy capable of revolutionising the pattern of governance and economic growth in the UK.
Devolution must play its part in this, and it is positive that the North East Combined Authority and its counterparts in Tees Valley have grasped the nettle by submitting bids to Government. For decades, policies decided in Whitehall have tended to reflect South East economic conditions, which is why we need the power to make some of these decisions closer to home. Top of the list should be skills and education, where we must be empowered to tailor curriculums, careers advice and investment in training to the opportunities
growth. Hence, we have that exist in the North East welcomed the upgrades labour market. announced for the A1 and A19, Areas including transport, and we want to see them business support, inward delivered rapidly, followed by investment, housing, and investment in rail culture and tourism connectivity and in could also be the east-west improved with a “IT’S AN A66 and A69 much greater OPPORTUNITY routes. But degree of local TO IGNITE THE infrastructure is decision-making. ECONOMY” not limited to And while all transport, and Government given our industrial departments must make-up and energy commit to devolving expertise, a carbon capture responsibility where it is in the and storage scheme for the interests of local economic Tees Valley is key. growth, this has to be backed Thirdly, we need long-term by investment to accelerate
policy changes to direct more investment from Government and the private sector into the North. Because of the way projects are assessed, transport funds are generally allocated to areas of high congestion and higher wages. This has to be reviewed in an effort to drive support for more schemes in the North. Grants for housing development, grid connection charges, and taxes that have disadvantaged the region such as empty property rates or air passenger duty, all require similar reform. These measures will reverse
the decades-long trend of focusing on London and the South East, which has left the UK economy effectively fighting with one arm tied behind its back and seen dozens of regional policy initiatives come and go, making little long-term difference and largely ending up forgotten. Without ambition from the Chancellor, the Northern Powerhouse may meet the same fate. But with a commitment to serious reform and investment, November 25 2015 may just be the start of something big.
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SUCCESS
The magnificent seven
Paul Stonebanks, AIS
Bryn Littleton highlights the seven North East companies representing the region at the British Chambers of Commerce Awards
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even regional business champions will march on the capital in November, representing the North East at the business Oscars. The Annual British Chambers of Commerce Awards attracts firms at the top of their game, and the North East has performed exceptionally in recent years with businesses such as Simply Bows and Chair Covers, Nortech Solutions, and A-Belco claiming top honours. NECC chief executive, James Ramsbotham, says: “Every year we take an incredibly strong showcase of North East talent to the BCC Awards, and this year is no exception. All the businesses are fantastic champions of the region and a wonderful representation of the talent pool available in the North East.” AIS AIS is a multi-faceted business, a provider of thermal insulation systems, engineering, site services, facilities management, industrial training and software development, and the company has grown rapidly since 2007. From humble beginnings with two employees operating from a conservatory, it is now a multi-million pound global business employing 150 people, turning over £7.2m in 2014. It will compete in the Exporting
Business of the Year category after scooping two awards at the North East Exporter Awards in 2015 - SME Exporter and Overall Exporter of the Year. It was also honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Andrew James UK It has also been a phenomenal year for Andrew James UK, shortlisted for Best Use of Technology to Improve Business Performance. The online retailer was set up in 2005 by cousins Andrew Tomlinson and James Buckle, when their passion for family dinner parties led them to discover the raclette grill - an appliance for social dining that was not yet available in the UK. By selling niche kitchen products via online platforms such as eBay and Amazon Marketplace as well as their own Andrew James website, the business achieved success with its initial range of products. Soon the company expanded the range into more mainstream markets, where they competed by offering innovative products, excellent value and exceptional customer service. This phenomenal growth has meant Andrew James has easily outperformed its competitors, reaching 24th place in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list 2014.
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James Buckle and Andrew Tomlinson of Andrew James Gateshead College Gateshead College will compete for the Education and Business Partnership award. The establishment has built a reputation for excellence and creating mutually beneficial relationships between the worlds of business and education. Principal and chief executive Judith Doyle says: “We’ve worked very hard for many years to achieve the recognition we’re getting now. Gateshead College is one of only two further education colleges to be recognised as outstanding this academic year, which is a tremendous achievement. Winning this honour at the BCC Awards would serve as a demonstration to other colleges and educational establishments the importance of engaging with the business community and ensuring students meet the demands of potential employers in today’s competitive market.” Earlier this year Gateshead College was named the best UK college for Level 2 courses, and the third most successful college based on pass rates.
Mike Wade Hodgson Sayers
Dan Robinson, Gus Robinson Developments
Andrew Simpson, PJA
Judith Doyle, Gateshead College Gus Robinson Developments Former fighter pilot Dan Robinson will be hoping Gus Robinson Developments (GRD) will be flying high in the Business in the Community category. GRD is a national building and civil engineering contractor. Robinson took over the reigns in the wake of his father’s death in 2011, and began rebuilding the company after a liquidated customer left the company with spiraling debts. He streamlined the firm, taking it from a £5m company to a £12m powerhouse. GRD’s customers are from industrial, public and private sector and the business invests in skills for young people, providing qualifications, experience and the inspiration to succeed. The company also won the Big Tick accolade for its community work at 2014’s Responsible Business Awards and the Gus Robinson Foundation, in partnership with Hartlepool College, was launched last year to offer educational scholarships and employment opportunities to young people.
Colin Simpson, Tomlinson Hall Hodgson Sayers Hodgson Sayers began as a roofing contractor and diversified into building, fencing and metal fabrication. Working primarily in the North East, the company has also undertaken projects across the UK, ranging from single dwellings to estates of several hundred properties. Competing for the People Development Award, the firm is committed to continuous improvement and upskilling its workforce. It became the first construction company in the North East, and second nationally, to become Living Wage Accredited PJA Distribution PJA Distribution, which develops and sells mobile phone accessories to trade and consumers, is hoping to win High Growth Business of the Year. Set up in 2010, rapid growth and commitment to excellence has seen the firm recognised as NECC’s Newcomer of the Year in 2014, earning national recognition in fair employment practices.
It was also crowned regional winner of the Let’s Grow Award at the 2015 North East Business Awards and listed as the region’s highest-ranked company, at number six, in the inaugural Sunday Times BT Business SME Export Track 100. The company dispatches thousands of products across the globe daily from its UK warehouse, selling across multiple marketplaces including Amazon, eBay and the retail website Mobile Madhouse and shipping products to markets in Germany, France, America and China. Tomlinson Hall & Co Fresh from the Small Business Award win at the North East Business Awards, Tomlinson Hall & Co is ready to take on all-comers in the Small Business of the Year category in London. The pump distribution and manufacturing company started trading in 1919. It distributes pumps across the globe, including Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and Far East Asia, as well as the UK.
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PROFILE
There’s no business like show business… Dean Bailey meets the man leading the Metro Radio Arena into its 21st year
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t’s a lot quieter than the last time I was here and colder. Florence Welch and her band, the Machine, have just performed to 11,000-plus adoring fans and their luxury tour bus is well on its way to their next gig. The floor seats have gone too, and there’s an ice rink about to be built for the stars of Disney on Ice. It’s an indication of the vast range of acts you get at Metro Radio Arena, and GM Paul Tappenden has seen just about everything Newcastle’s largest indoor venue, which celebrates its 20th birthday in November,
can throw at him. “There are never two events the same; it certainly keeps you enthused,” he says. Coming off the back of a 16-hour day he’d be forgiven for taking it easy this morning, but there’s no opportunity. “We’re always working, planning; there’s never a dull day,” he says. When we meet, Ellie Goulding’s Newcastle date for 2016 has just been announced, adding to a packed diary which includes three nights with superstar boyband One Direction, two WWE wrestling events,
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rockers Motley Crue, Radio 2 favourites Simply Red, 80s chart-toppers Duran Duran, and Swiss violinist Andre Rieu – all before Christmas. It’s a bit odd standing in here when it’s empty. The tour crews love the back doors which open directly into the auditorium, says Tappenden. “The building was laid out by its founder, Chas Chandler [a member of 60s group The Animals] and his partner in Park Arena, Nigel Stanger. Chas knew what artists and crews wanted, which includes not having to carry their gear too far and not having to sit in
too much traffic getting in and out of the venue.” In its 20 years, the Arena, the only venue owned and managed by US-based SMG, has seen a lot, and Tappenden, who joined as marketing director in 1996 before becoming GM in 2012, has been part of just about all of it. Newcastle Arena opened in November 1995 and the first event was a Newcastle Eagles basketball game, followed by a David Bowie gig the following month. Bowie was followed by Blur, Rod Stewart, M People, plus many more.
The biggest change in the arena’s first 20 years is in the variety of shows it hosts. This year’s attractions include Top Gear Live, Arenacross motorbikes, WWE wrestling, and world darts, in addition to 40 live music events. “There are exhibitions and conferences like Film and Comic Con and North East Skills to arena shows like Top Gear. The biggest change I’ve seen, though, is in comedy,” says Tappenden. “We had Peter Kay here for five nights last year. Twenty years ago, I would never expect a comic to sell out an
arena this size – never mind for five nights.” Raised in Seaham, Co Durham, Tappenden’s love for music was always apparent. “I’ve always been a huge music fan and I spent hours as a kid explaining why my mum and dad should buy the latest hi-fi systems,” he says. Having worked for Vaux and Scottish & Newcastle breweries and homebuilder Barratt, Tappenden had plenty of experience with big clients before joining the arena. “Having started off as business and marketing graduate with Vaux, I had
some incredible opportunities with Barratt. It was an amazing experience for a young guy from Seaham; we had two planes, two helicopters and four pilots and I spent a lot of time working with Sir Lawrie Barratt. “We’d attend Wimbledon, and the Ideal Homes show, and work with Saatchi & Saatchi on TV ads. “I always found those situations easy; I was young and keen. That confidence has been a great strength throughout my career.” From Barratt he joined a number of North East
businesses in marketing roles before moving to Scottish & Newcastle in 1988. “The brewery industry was beginning to change by then. The workingmen’s club scene was beginning to slow down as nightclubs became more popular. Our great strength was our ties with sport. We were already working with Newcastle United; I will always remember the day we announced Kevin Keegan as Newcastle manager – it’s the only time I’ve heard a press conference gasp. “We were also a big part of bringing Ian Botham to Durham, as his sponsor, when it became a first class county.” In fact, the links were so close that Tappenden is mentioned in Botham’s autobiography. His experience with people used to getting their own way has stood him in good stead. “There are still a few divas out there,” he says, “but there are far more who are fantastic,” he adds, recounting the story of the day he drove Sir Cliff Richard to Gosforth’s David Lloyd tennis club for a pregig game. “It was certainly a memorable day. We had to pick my wife up at home for the return journey. She thought it was great. “Lady Gaga’s first show here was one of the biggest tours we’ve ever seen, she brought 35 trucks with her. Prodigy was certainly one of the loudest,” he adds, continuing to recount tales of bands, tours and highlights, not all of them publishable. So what’s next? “I’m a music fan at heart and there are a few acts still to tick off. I’d love to see Madonna and U2 play here. My dream act would be Paul McCartney. “We also want to continue being part of marketing city as a destination for visitors.” For now though, there’s an ice rink to lay and a cast of Disney characters on their way. Never a dull day.
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PROFILE
Risky business Associated Risks Group founder Paul Hutchinson offers Liz Hands an insight into the world of guarding princes, PMs and executive personnel
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aul Hutchinson is as far from the stereotypical bodyguard of the movies as it is possible to get - and that’s exactly what his clients want. Hutchinson, founder of Middlesbrough-based Associated Risks Group (ARG), protected Peter Mandelson during his tenure as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has been bodyguard to Saudi prime ministers and princes, and has kept CEOs of big pharmaceutical companies safe in some of the world’s trouble spots. And he hasn’t done it by throwing his weight around. “People think close protection is all about reacting to situations, but we organise running away,” he says. “We examine how we’re going to escape. You walk into a room and you assess that room. You think ‘how can we get out?’ That’s what keeps you alive. If you think you’re big and hard enough to win every fight, then you’ve been watching too many movies. This is not James Bond.” ARG is a security risk management company providing bodyguard training, protective services and intelligence. “I felt there wasn’t the quality in the industry that there needed to be,” Hutchinson says of his decision to found the business. “I’m also married with two
kids and I wanted to spend following Mandelson’s more time with them. So, retirement to become more while I still wanted to do what involved in close protection. I do, I realised there was an “I ended up looking after opportunity for me to offer the Qatari prime minister, training and, the majority travelling to Hong Kong, of the time, stay in my own Paris, the Maldives. There bed rather than a hotel. The was a lot of travelling to a Dorchester is nice, but when lot of very nice places and you’ve lived there for two wherever they stayed, we weeks, it’s just another hotel.” stayed. It was interesting to He now trains a select band go from Middlesbrough to of recruits in Middlesbrough places where an evening meal and provides firearms tuition cost £1,500.” at his centre in Hartlepool. He also guarded celebrities He credits his mentor Bob and grew to hate the way Duncan, one of the top five bodyguards are often world masters in firearms, portrayed in films or on TV, with getting him into the close thrusting their hand in front protection industry, Duncan of paparazzi cameras. “If you having taken him under his don’t want your photo taken, wing when he was 16. then you go out the back “By the time I was 19 door,” he says. or 20, I was teaching ARG also offers firearms to other corporate close protection intelligence, “WE ORGANISE operatives,” he giving RUNNING says. “By the time companies the AWAY. THIS IS I was 22, I’d spent insight they NOT JAMES time on the red need to defend BOND” carpet with music themselves stars like Status Quo against risks such and Paul Young.” as organised crime, At 24, he joined Cleveland corruption and political Police’s firearms section. unrest. ARG also provides “Peter Mandelson was training of uniformed guards Secretary for Northern Ireland to commercial, industrial at the time and I was part of and retail sites, and medical his close protection team. The training, providing skills which threat to him was obviously could be vital in areas such as quite high then and it was my West Africa, where treatment first major operational role.” options are thin on the ground. He also worked in hostage Meanwhile, ARG situations with the police Multimedia provides before leaving the force consultants to the makers of
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❝ I felt there
wasn’t the quality in the industry that there needed to be
movies, TV shows and video games to help them keep their portrayals of security staff authentic. While Hutchinson has spent years protecting high-profile clients, he wouldn’t want to live their lives. “Stop and think about it for a moment,” he says. “For the rest of your life, you’re going to have four close protection operatives with you, at home, when you go for a walk in the morning, at work, when you come back, in the car, in the grounds of your house. Would you want that? I wouldn’t and that’s what we have in mind when we train our guys. It’s not the American way of doing it where they walk in, dominate a room and say ‘I’m a bodyguard and I’m protecting this individual so everyone stay away’. Our clients like to walk into a room and not be noticed. “We teach quintessential gentlemen. We have guys that come out of the military and are used to rugby and drinking tournaments and we have to explain that they’re now in a corporate world representing Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani, heads of state or CEOs of pharmaceutical companies. “We take them as raw material and fine tune them. We take them to the tailor, tell them a gentleman never fastens his bottom button, take away the black suits, shirts, ties and shades and replace them with chinos, blazers and brogues. The final bit of training is where they can walk through York city centre as a team of four protecting someone on foot and people don’t realise they’re there.” For Hutchinson, an uneventful day is a good one. “99% of the time, you’re making plans or carrying the shopping bags. If your client’s getting shot at every day, you’re doing something very wrong.”
❝
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 29
PROFILE
Voice of the people Elise Rana Hopper talks women, wages and the power of the unions with TUC regional secretary Beth Farhat
W
ork is what Beth Farhat believes in - indeed, what makes this charismatic 35-year-old a particularly compelling voice for working people is the fact that she’s always been one of them. When we meet for coffee at the Newcastle offices of the Northern TUC, where she is two years into the job as regional secretary, she confesses that for her, work and empowerment have always gone hand in hand. “Money is a motivator when you’re young,” says Farhat, who grew up in Westerhope, Newcastle. “I didn’t come from a particularly affluent background and I was always thirsty for work so I could have my independence - as a teenager I had lots of different Saturday jobs, from retail to call centres. My break was
an apprenticeship scheme she says. “I was willing to take with NECC in business on that challenge and work in administration. That gave partnership with the employer, me the confidence and the not against them. I found a tools to go on and be part of a talent for negotiating and management team.” representing both sides of The team in question the argument.” was that of the somewhat Of the journey from legendary Quayside nightspot union rep to TUC regional Baja Beach Club, where, co-ordinator, she credits aged 19, Farhat found the encouragement of her herself responsible for predecessor Kevin recruitment, training Rowan for getting and personnel. her out of her “I FOUND Returning to ‘comfort zone’. I HAD A college a few The North TALENT FOR years later, East has seen NEGOTIATING” a significant working part-time at Norwich Union increase in private to fund her studies, sector employment she again found herself and typically, working drawn towards ‘the people people have higher spending side of things’. power than in many regions. “I was elected a trade union But with concerns that many representative because I could others are in low-paid, lowoften see situations that just skilled jobs and zero-hours needed someone to mediate, contracts, she identifies her but nobody wanted to put main objective as the raising their head above the parapet,” of living standards for working
30 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
people across the region. “We spend the majority of our lives at work, and it should be in an environment that’s safe, where you’re paid well, looked after, and have the opportunity to fulfil your potential. It’s a simple principle that unions advocate, and it has a role to play in developing high performance workplaces.” She recognises, however, that this isn’t always the way trade unions are perceived. “Strikes make the headlines, but national demos of 125,000 people don’t get covered - it’s frustrating,” she says. “All the fantastic work that unions do with employers, developing workforces, developing high performing workplaces, working together to become good wealth creators - we never hear those stories in the press.” Despite the historic link between the Labour party and the trade union movement, she politely refuses to be drawn on
“I was willing to take on that challenge and work in partnership with the employer, not against them”
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 31
PROFILE Jeremy Corbyn’s landslide in the leadership contest. “The TUC will work with all political parties to try and win a better deal for people at work. Now the Labour party has elected its new leadership team, it’s time for it to get on with the job of opposition.” One immediate concern is the Government’s Trade Union Bill, backed by MPs at its second reading last month but criticised by TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady as an attack on working people and a threat to their democratic right to strike. “Ultimately, there’s no need for this legislation because industrial action is at an all-time low,” says Farhat. “From a business perspective, the impact it would have on industrial relations is massive and disputes - which aren’t pretty - will have to be published for all the world to see. There are businesses out there which will realise that this isn’t helpful.” It’s not just a professional but when you think about how concern - the power of the far we’ve come, it’s fantastic.” union is close to her heart. Those challenges include the From the Bryant and May inevitable ‘keyboard warriors’, match women to the Ford from both ends of the Dagenham machinists to political spectrum. the ‘Darlo Mums’ marching “No matter what you say, against privatisation in the someone could have an issue NHS, women’s collective with it. But it comes with the action in particular remains territory. And if people her inspiration, and respond with a view motivation. “That “THAT that’s genuinely struggle for STRUGGLE constructive and equality is a huge not a personal part of who I am, FOR EQUALITY attack, I’m as a mother, as a IS PART OF all for debate trade unionist, as WHO I AM” and discussion, a worker.” absolutely - I’ve She speaks been quite open inviting with pride of how far people to come in and the trade union movement see me.” itself has come in promoting The everyday challenges women, on all levels. “The of being a working parent TUC, the European TUC, and also come with the turf, the International TUC are but about this she is all led by strong, articulate, sanguine, describing the intelligent women, and I’m the stress of missed school first woman in my position communications and 7am too. That does come with its emergency costume-making pressures and its challenges, 32 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
as a panic that ‘makes you feel alive’. “You just have to live it, don’t you? If I didn’t work I couldn’t provide for them. And I do think about teaching them those morals and principles. We’re not rich and they aren’t spoilt, but they’re being brought up very differently to how I was - whatever they need, they have. “How am I going to teach them that not everybody’s got this? I don’t have a childminder on a Saturday, so they’ve been beside me at marches and rallies, or when we’re trying to save a walk-in centre - that’s part of their education too.” She laughingly admits that it’s with an eye on the engineering skills shortage that her three daughters all take extra maths, but swiftly highlights the contrast with many areas in the region, where the number of female
NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training) continues to rise. “There are a lot of talented kids in these areas who could totally make it, but they aren’t getting that support and advice - I grew up in one of those places, but I made it because I wanted to.” Quietly ambitious, passionate yet focused, unswervingly on-message: she is Westminster material, but nevertheless seems genuinely flattered and surprised at the suggestion that political ambitions may lie in the future. “What’s important to me is that I do my job and I do it well,” she says. “You can talk as much as you want, but it’s what policies you influence nationally and locally, what opinions you change, how many people you bring with you…that’s what really matters.”
Moving forward together. Our experts will keep you on the right path.
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SKILLS
IGNITING NEW CAREERS
Newcastle-based Newarc Limited has secured a contract to provide a range of welding machines and related equipment to Tyne Metropolitan College for use in its IGNITE Centre for Engineering and Innovation. IGNITE has been developed to provide specialist training in welding, fabrication, milling, turning, hand fitting and electrical installation and technology. The new training centre is equipped to a high standard in order to echo current industry specifications, offering a thorough and extensive range of training services for employers, stakeholders and learners.
BEST FOOT FORWARD
New College Durham is to be the first college in the UK to offer an apprenticeship in podiatry. The Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Clinical Healthcare Support (Podiatry) has been specifically tailored to the role of a Podiatry Assistant. The apprenticeship is free and will take 18 months to complete.
Chloe Smith is now a fitter having completed her apprenticeship with Responsive Engineering, part of Reece Group
Engineering new skills
F
15% of our employees are apprentices and amily-owned engineering at the end of their four-year apprenticeship business Reece Group is they are well-trained, dedicated employees furthering its commitment to with bright careers ahead. skills and training with direct “We are also working to rebalance the input into local schools and the gender imbalance in engineering; appointment within the business of female engineers are an untapped STEM Ambassadors committed resource. We work with local to plugging the skills gap and CAREERS schools to explain what we do encouraging more women into engineering. OPPORTUNITIES because we’re passionate The group, formed in the FOR BOTH GIRLS about our industry and are excited to share the early 1980s, is holding AND BOYS opportunities this career can company for North East offer for both girls and boys.” engineering businesses Pearson The company now has STEM Engineering, Responsive (Science, Technical, Engineering, Engineering, Velocity Patching, Pipe Coil Mathematics) Ambassadors spreading Technology, and Reece Innovation. the word among young people. Led by chairman John Reece, it In October, Reece Group will open its operates in the defence, oil and gas, power doors to potential engineers and leaders generation, construction, medical and of the future. Working with EDT subsea markets and 90% of its sales come (Engineering Development Trust) the from overseas markets. company has invited 30 Year 10 pupils CEO Phil Kite says: “The skills shortage aged 14-15 to a special STEM day. is a serious problem, so we ensure that
34 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
NEW APPRENTICES
Waterstons New Graduates 2015 L-R Cosmin Argatu, Michael Bell, Rebecca Wilson, Josh Weston, Amy Chapman, Jonathan Davies, Silvia De Rosa, Christopher Rich and Daniel Wrend
Waterstons Investing in North East Talent
N
orth East-headquartered business and technology consultancy Waterstons is gearing up for growth with seven graduates and five year-in-industry students joining the company to complement its team of experienced consultants. This is the largest number recruited since the company was founded in 1994, following a series of new and renewed contract wins. Chairman Sally Waterston says: “The
North East is increasingly being seen as a hub of innovation in the digital sector with initiatives such as Dynamo, Sunderland Software City, NETpark and Newcastle Science City. Waterstons is proud to be able to support the local economy and keep talented individuals within the North East. This not only ensures that we retain key skillsets in the region, but it also means our customers are able to benefit from the fresh ideas and the breadth and depth of the exceptional talent that we are able to nurture and develop.”
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS One of the North East’s top chefs addressed the next generation at a major trade event in the region. Terry Laybourne MBE, founder of 21 Hospitality Group, was the first chef to bring a Michelin star to the region at Newcastle’s 21 Queen Street and was a keynote speaker at the Universal Cookery and Food Festival 2015 at Vallum Farm, near Matfen, Northumberland. The festival aims to give chefs the chance to meet and talk directly with gamekeepers, farmers, growers and food producers and is being held in the North of England for the first time. Newcastle-born Terry and senior industry figures shared their experiences in an informal, conversational-style, discussion at the event.
Two apprentices are set to start new roles with a major local engineering provider while studying for qualifications with East Durham College. Martin Clutterbuck, 21, from Langley Park and Adisorn Khampan, 18, from Ingleby Barwick, have joined DPE Automotive, based in Newton Aycliffe, on engineering tool-making apprenticeships after a thorough selection process. This process marked the first apprentices to join DPE Automotive whilst studying at East Durham College with staff from DPE praising the quality of applicants brought forward for the roles.
FIRST STEPS IN DIGITAL
Student Daniel Carrick, Leighton Group’s Jordan Hind, student Daniel Elstob, Sunderland College principal Anne Isherwood and student Joe Ditchburn
Sunderland College has joined forces with digital delivery company Leighton Group to offer students high-quality work experience placements at the organisation’s Rainton Bridge headquarters. Leighton Group has been working in the digital arena for more than 18 years and supports businesses such as Asda, Sage and British Airways with their digital strategy and transformation.
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 35
PROFILE
Ahead of the game Owen McAteer meets Julie Underwood, international trade director and a big fan of the Rugby World Cup, though not necessarily for the action on the pitch
R
ugby fans across the North East have been enjoying the World Cup for the rare opportunity to see some of the best players on the planet in action in Newcastle. Julie Underwood, NECC’s international trade director, is equally enthusiastic about the tournament, but as the worldclass business opportunity it will turn out to be if she has her way. When we meet a few days before the start of the tournament, she is preparing to welcome business representatives from South Africa, whose visit to the North East will coincide with the Springboks v Scotland clash at St James’s Park on October 3. NECC is five months into a five-year contract from UK Trade & Investment to deliver export services across the region, and a highlight this year is the North East England and South Africa Trade and Cooperation Conference at Newcastle Civic Centre, which takes place a couple of days before the game. In the presence of the High Commissioner of South Africa and trade and investment minister Lord Maude, key
industry sectors to be business opportunities highlighted include advanced and bringing people in manufacturing, tourism business together around a and renewables. world event. Plus, with the National “People and relationships Development Plan of South are so important, and Africa, which sets out the it can take a long time country’s aims for growth for relationships to up to 2030, identifying the develop overseas. ocean economy as an area of “Exports to the EU remain particular opportunity, there strong, but we also need to will be a strong focus on the focus on the non-EU markets ports and marine economy to take full advantage of as well as oil and gas - areas emerging markets.” in which the North East has Having been created 200 proven expertise. years ago to grow trade Having completed the through the Port of Tyne, it is Great North Run the day fitting that NECC now before we meet, Julie takes responsibility “WE HAVE Underwood is keen for boosting TO ENSURE to see the region export across make the most the North East. WE CAN of the business PROMOTE OUR “International opportunities trade is at the STRENGTHS” heart of NECC,” which can result when the North East says Underwood. is highlighted on the “We are celebrating international stage during our 200th anniversary and major sporting events. when you look back 200 “Many people would like years, trading overseas was a England to win the Rugby key focus. World Cup,” she says, “but “It has always been central there’s a lot more I’d like to to the chamber of commerce see from the event, including movement; we have links more businesses opening across the world - it is in their eyes to other markets. our DNA.” “We have to ensure we She has clear aims for can promote our strengths in the UKTI contract, including certain sectors, highlighting NECC using its links
36 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
“We are the only UK region with a consistent positive balance of trade”
tJulie Underwood sees the Rugby World Cup as a great showcase of how the North East leads the way in exporting due to excellent support to overcome significant challenges
across industry sectors to increase the visibility of the region’s 23-strong team of international trade advisers. “With UKTI offices in more than 100 countries, if we have a business that wants to do something specific in Brazil, for example, we can contact the office there and connect them. I don’t think you can underestimate that there are challenges in exporting, but the key message is that there is help.” She speaks from personal experience. Prior to her eight years at NECC she worked in export sales, assisted by her degree in modern languages. With North East firms already exporting in excess of £12.5bn in goods and services annually, she is keen to encourage smaller firms to enter international markets. “We are the only UK region with a consistent positive balance of trade, and it’s about looking at the smaller businesses and encouraging them to export, making them realise there are opportunities,” she says. She will play a key role in a trade mission to southern Africa next year, which will seek to build on the activities staged around the Rugby World Cup. “Trade missions give the opportunity for a
collective of businesses to travel if they haven’t been overseas before,” she says. “I think smaller businesses get a huge amount of value from the other businesses they meet.” The missions can also group companies from a particular sector for overseas contacts in those sectors to meet - to demonstrate, as Underwood puts it, that “the North East can provide everything they need. “From a UKTI perspective, we have worked with in excess of 100 new exporters a year and on average 700–800 companies in total. Our international trade advisers work closely with companies to explore their export potential by carrying out an in-depth diagnostic. They support companies both looking at export for the first time and existing exporters looking at new markets.” For now the next key focus is the ExploreExport event on November 9, the first of a series of events based around Export Week and which UKTI commercial officers and representatives from 50 countries will attend to offer businesses advice. That positive balance of trade certainly looks safe in Julie Underwood and her team’s hands.
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 37
EXPORT
CHINA IN SUNDERLAND MANUFACTURER TRM’S HANDS
Nick Morton of TRM, Zuer Qi from Harbin, China and Coun Harry Trueman, deputy leader, Sunderland City Council
Sunderland manufacturer Thermal Resources Management (TRM) Group is building its supply chain in China, with a 40% share in a Shanghai-based joint venture with its sister company MICC (Mineral Insulated Cables Company). The Chinese operation includes a manufacturing plant in Hefei, where it is seeking local suppliers to reduce the costs of exporting components from the UK. The temperature measurement equipment and fireproof cabling specialist manufactures products used in the oil and gas, automotive, aviation and electronics industries. TRM is now strengthening its links with China after welcoming a student who has joined the company on placement through the Sunderland-Harbin friendship agreement. Student Zuer Qi has been tasked with researching the suppliers and providing feedback to TRM. The 19-year-old comes from the Chinese city of Harbin and is currently in the UK studying accounting and finance at Manchester University. The plant requires specialist materials and Zuer’s knowledge is being put to good use researching potential suppliers in China.
The knowledge
Events encourage and support more firms to start or increase international trade
U
K Trade & Investment will be holding its next Export Week November 9-13. Across the week there will be a varied series of events all over the UK, aimed at businesses to either start their export journey or increase their international business. The North East is the only UK region with a positive trade gap and currently exports in excess of £11.5bn in goods and services annually. UKTI and NECC are working in partnership to significantly grow the region’s exports and there are bespoke products and services to help North East companies compete more effectively in the global market Previous Export Weeks have seen more than 27,000 companies in the UK attend export-focused events where experts are on hand to offer advice and guidance about trading overseas, whatever the size of your company, to fast track exporting success.
38 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
On average, companies earn £100,000 in additional sales within 18 months of working with UKTI, and the programme of North East events are designed to reach companies interested in trading across the globe. Highlights of the week include ExploreExport at Sage Gateshead on November 9 when UKTI Commercial Officers and British Chamber of Commerce representatives from global markets will offer detailed export advice. These highly experienced market specialists will provide valuable insights, direct routes to market and present new business opportunities. On November 12 at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham, the North East in Global Europe Conference will deliver knowledge, insights and networks and the opportunity to interact with regional and national support organisations including NECC. Further details of all events are available at: www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk/full/
ELFAB CELEBRATES QUEENS AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE
OUT OF AFRICA David Coppock, Steve Black and Brian Dakers at St James’ Park - the setting of the upcoming Scotland vs South Africa Rugby World Cup clash
NECC has welcomed a delegation of South African business leaders and dignitaries to a special trade and cooperation conference aimed at boosting multi-million pound trade links. A delegation, including the South African High Commissioner Obed Mlaba, jetted in for the North East England and South Africa Trade and Cooperation Conference at Newcastle Civic Centre, which took place ahead of the Scotland vs South Africa Rugby World Cup clash. Organised by NECC, UKTI and Newcastle City Council, the event’s key speaker was
Minister of State for Trade and Investment Lord Maude. It was attended by industry leaders from fields including ports and marine, economy, tourism, oil and gas, education, training and skills, renewables, and advanced manufacturing. David Coppock, regional director for UK Trade and Investment North East, said: “A trade mission in February showed us the level of North East interest in targeting the South African market and we are hoping this event will build on that and start to deliver contracts and sales overseas.”
UAE-BOUND
Sami Edwards, general manager of Dhabi Contracting (left) and Bryan Bunn, MD, Nortech Group
Wynyard-based Nortech Group has forged an agreement with leading Middle East contracting company Dhabi Contracting LLC to form a new business delivering a range of engineering services to industry in the United Arab Emirates. Dhabi Nortech provides engineering design and project management consultant solutions for UAE’s oil and gas, process,
petrochemical, chemical, infrastructure and energy sectors. The new venture, which is based in Abu Dhabi, provides fully integrated engineering design, project management and construction services from project feasibility to completion and has already secured its first contract. Nortech MD Bryan Bunn says: “This is an exciting opportunity.”
North Shields based manufacturer Elfab has won a Queens Award for International Trade. The award was presented by her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Susan Winfield, who toured the company’s North Shields manufacturing facility joined by Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell, and chairman of North Tyneside Council, Coun Gary Bell. “Gaining this award is a testament to the efforts of the entire company and further positions Elfab as a Global leader in the manufacture and supply of safety critical pressure relief devices,” said a company spokesman.
EXPORTS DIP The North East has seen a small decline in the value of its exports, according to latest figures. The region’s exports in Q2 2015 totalled £3.05bn, down from £3.2bn in Q1 and down from £3.1bn in the same period last year. The number of North East exporters was, however, up by almost 5% at 1,068. Nationally, exports rose by just under 5% quarteron-quarter and by just over 1% from the same period in 2014. Ben Powick, NECC policy adviser, says: “Although total North East exports have dipped slightly, the region once again maintains its strong export surplus. The North West has also produced a surplus with both regions outperforming the rest of England.”
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 39
The Vortex Room
A new inspiring space with an unconventional twist.
The Vortex Room
Meetings & Events from 2 - 120 people
The Ballroom
The Annabella Room
Discuss, debate, plan, reflect, wine and dine. You set the scene, we will provide service and cuisine that is exceptional. @seahamhallhotel
Seaham Hall
@seahamhall
www.seaham-hall.co.uk
SPECIAL FOCUS
Special focus: Places to do business A look at some of the region’s great venues
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 41
Together with business
The Forge is the place to come for innovative businesses with big ideas and ambitions.
01642 384068 theforge@tees.ac.uk tees.ac.uk/theforge
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This exciting new build is set to redefine Stockton’s Northshore as a magnet for enterprise. Supported by Teesside University, and with unrivalled access to its expertise and networks, Fusion Hive offers three floors of optimum space and facilities to accommodate the needs of the most creative business.
FUSION HIVE OFFERS
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SPECIAL FOCUS
Mixing business with pleasure
W
ynyard Hall Hotel and Spa is offering corporate clients a chance to mix business with pleasure inside and outside. Its State Rooms provide the perfect setting for up to 400 guests for meetings, private dining and conferences, while the hotel’s grounds are also home to the largest marquee in the North of England. The 1,600sqft Grand Marquee, adjacent to the
hotel’s recently opened Walled Garden, offers business and leisure guests an alternative venue for a conference or celebration. The selfcontained marquee, with a purpose-built car park and
catering facilities, holds up to 650 people and is set in beautiful gardens overlooking the Wynyard Hall estate. The Hall’s 150-acre grounds host outdoor team building events including clay
pigeon shooting and archery, three self-contained cottages within the parkland, all with private hot tubs, while the Lakeside Spa offers corporate visitors a wide range of treatments and facilities.
Fusion Hive brings a new business buzz to Stockton’s North Shore
A
new development managed by Teesside University’s The Forge is set to accelerate the growth of Tees Valley’s digital economy.
Fusion Hive business and innovation centre was designed to give new and growing digital and technology companies the best opportunities for growth. Tenants will benefit
from high-tech workspace, along with access to the University’s established business networks, expertise and innovation services. It has been developed in conjunction with Stockton Borough
Council, who will provide opportunities for rates relief and access to other forms of funding support. The 36,000sqft facility is built on land owned by the Homes and Communities Agency, offers flexible working spaces for around 60 SMEs in the digital and scientific sectors. Laura Woods, director of The Forge, says: “We have helped some of the region’s most exciting and successful businesses to grow. Fusion Hive represents a fantastic opportunity to grow our portfolio of services. Not only will SMEs at Fusion Hive benefit from a state-of-theart working environment but they’ll also have access to the University’s resources.”
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 43
INSPIRING COMMUNITIES THROUGH ENTERPRISE
• Office Space • Conferences & Events • Virtual Office • Meeting Rooms •Active co-working • Artisan Arcade A space solution for everyone
Contact the team at The Beacon on 0191 242 4894 or email info@thebeaconnewcastle.co.uk for further information The Beacon, Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE4 9PQ
SPECIAL FOCUS
North East BIC expands property portfolio
T
he North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), a regional enterprise agency and business complex in Sunderland, has strengthened its property portfolio with a new centre in Washington. The Hub, on Crowther Road, Washington is less than two minutes from the A1, providing excellent access to Gateshead and Newcastle in the North to Durham, Darlington and Newton Aycliffe in the south. The building is situated in three acres of development land with 17 air-conditioned offices ranging from 1501,000sqft, with meeting spaces and conference facilities as well as help and advice for start-up and
The Hub’s director of operations David Howell
The Hub provides a state-ofthe-art facility that will appeal to local businesses wanting space in a great location. “As well as free car parking on site, tenants will benefit from our 21 years’
established businesses. North East BIC director of operations, David Howell, says: “The BIC continues to grow and it is great to add locations in Darlington and Washington to our portfolio.
experience of supporting local businesses offering flexible tenancies as well as the ability to grow and expand by tapping into a range of additional support services provided by the BIC.”
Find out if you qualify for grant funding from the Tees Valley Business Growth Investment Scheme
Signposting the way to business finance
• Do you have less than 250 staff? • Are you planning to invest in premises, equipment or machinery? • Will the investment lead to new jobs? • Is your business in Tees Valley?
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Call us on 0300 456 3565 or visit www.teesbusinesscompass.co.uk Part of the national network of Business Growth Hubs Tees Valley Unlimited is a Tees Valley Business Compass partner.
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 45
The home of business and science in the Tees Valley
Fully managed and serviced office space
Flexible space
Vast range of office space
Wilton Centre is the ideal location to launch or grow your business in fully serviced and managed accommodation. Our excellent range of facilities, set within a 75 acre landscaped park, offers tenants a network of support second to none, so you can focus on your business development in an environment committed to your success.
Wilton Centre. Be part of it.
75 acre landscaped park
Health and fitness
Multi-use
Landscaped courtyards
Wilton Centre, Redcar, Cleveland, TS10 4RF +44 (0) 1642 438050 • enquiries@wiltoncentre.co.uk • wiltoncentre.com
SPECIAL FOCUS
Inspiring communities through enterprise
S
ince it opened in 2012 The Beacon, owned and managed by North East charities Centre West and Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle, has offered a base to a wide array of growing and evolving businesses. The environmentally friendly £6.5m Westgate Road centre also acts as a base for training and education, and has close relationships with the local community. The Beacon has flexible options including hot desks and meeting rooms, which can be booked for as little as an hour - through to permanent offices, studios and workshops. There is an expert team providing
The Beacon Artisan Unit
hands-on daily support as well, with a range of extra services including post, photocopying and mail shots. The Beacon’s Artisan Arcade at the front of the building under a glazed walkway, is
filled with artists working and showcasing their skills with a large open reception area. The workshops can be hired on a flexible basis, from days to full years and the space is regularly used to create and
exhibit, and run workshops. The Skylight Suite offers free parking, on-site catering and an experienced events team while the penthouse conference suite has panoramic city views.
The Perfect Venue Wynyard Hall is the perfect backdrop for any event. Wow your clients, reward your staff or entertain customers in our opulent State Rooms or the Grand Marquee - accommodating 6-650 guests. Packages from £24ph. Quote code WHC15
Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley, TS22 5NF | Tel: 01740 644811 (Option 6) | www.wynyardhall.co.uk 48 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
SPECIAL FOCUS
WILTON CENTRE - EXCELLENT FACILITIES, PERFECT LOCATION
Seaham Hall
The Vortex open for business
N
hotel which shares its name with the new ew events space The Vortex space, while there is also a contemporary at Seaham Hall is set to add twist on a grand Georgian Break-Front to the five-star hotel’s bookcase, which houses games and offering to businesses. puzzles and conceals a drinks fridge With 37-acres for and equipment. team-building activities and easy With new partnerships with local transport links between key business companies Valley Adventures travel hubs, Seaham Hall, on and Karting North East, Durham’s Heritage Coast is the FALCONRY, Seaham Hall has built upon perfect place for meetings, TREASURE HUNTS, existing activities on offer conferences and events. for corporate parties. Within The Vortex offers BUSH CRAFT its own grounds there are a corporate clients a multiAND COOKERY wide range of teambuilding use zone to inspire creative CLASSES activities including falconry, thinking. Accommodating up to treasure hunts, bush craft and 40 guests, it can be transformed cookery classes. In addition, Valley from a meeting room to an inspirational Adventures offers archery, paddlespace – swapping chairs for bean bags boarding, surfing, scavenger hunts, to allow you to dream up strategies or coastal discovery days, orienteering, simply relax. circus skills, military-style assault The Vortex has state-of-the-art AV courses and raft building, while Karting facilities including a smart TV which North East offers professional karting is hidden by artwork when not in use. experiences, plus paintball, rage rally, Inspiration has been taken from the archery, tomahawks and off-road driving. iconic water feature at the front of the
As Wilton Centre’s reputation as a industryleading business and science park grows, more businesses are choosing to move to the Redcar site. More than 60 companies, from multinationals to SMEs and start-ups, are located at the centre and interest in the range of office and technical spaces remains high. The surge to take up space follows significant investment in facilities for tenants. In the last 18 months, Wilton Centre has revamped and refurbished its Lakeside restaurant, launched a state-ofthe art gym with beauty salon, and created a suite of conference and meeting rooms. Site director Steve Duffield said: “Location is crucial to businesses. “We are able to offer an ideal setting close to major transport networks together with a large network of businesses for tenants to build links with.” The Centre celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2015, and Duffield added: “We pride ourselves on the professional and high quality support we offer tenants. “The competitive packages we offer in our professional and wellconnected environment, underpins the success of the Centre and makes it a very attractive location to be based in.”
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 49
9,000
100,000
WE SUPPORT 9,000 YOUNG PEOPLE A YEAR WITH OUR EMPLOYABILITY PROGRAMME
WE HAVE GIVEN OVER 100,000 HOURS VOLUNTEERING TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
81% OF OUR PEOPLE ARE PROUD TO WORK FOR US
PROUD TO BE YOUR WATER COMPANY
500
55%
OF OUR PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES
60
OF OUR PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR EMPLOYABILITY
WE WILL TAKE ON 60 APPRENTICES BETWEEN 2015 AND 2020
£2.8m WE GIVE £2.8 MILLION OF OUR PRETAX PROFITS BACK TO LOCAL COMMUNIITIES
ww.nwl.co.uk www.welivewater.co.uk
AF018 NECC Advert 27x19cm OR V1.indd 1
07/09/2015 13:23
APPOINTMENTS
in association with
Blakeborough, Brannon, McCann, Isbister and Appleby
NEW TEAM FOR AIS
Industrial trainer and manufacturer AIS has appointed Dave Brannon, Gayle McCann and Chris Appleby to join the existing AIS sales team of Richard Blakeborough, Mark Paterson, Gavin Taylor and Alison Isbister.
SAFE AS HOUSES
A top-rated mortgage adviser has joined Co Durham wealth management firm Arc Wealth Limited. Emma Richardson, a former Mortgage and Protection adviser from Darlington joins Arc Wealth from Gallagher & Tarran Ltd in Newton Aycliffe.
DIRECTORSHIPS SET TO DRIVE GROWTH
A fast-expanding North East Mercedes-Benz dealership has strengthened its team with two new directors. Longbenton headquartered Bell Truck and Van has appointed Gavin Hewitt as after-sales director and Dave Maughan as truck sales director. Hewitt has worked for the company since 1998 and Maughan since 2000.
Caitlin Morton and Amy Gray are lining up careers in construction
Prof Roy Sandbach (left) and John McCabe
GRADUATE ROLES
NEW SOLUTION
A North East developer’s drive to encourage talented young people into the construction industry has continued with the appointment of two new graduates. Caitlin Morton, 23, from Hartlepool, has taken on the role of graduate development coordinator with Galliford Try Partnerships North and Amy Gray, also 23, from Gateshead has joined Galliford Try Group’s housebuilding division Linden Homes in a sales and marketing position. Impressive growth and a raft of prestigious new projects, means the business, both nationally and in the North East, has launched a drive to highlight career opportunities in construction.
Prof Roy Sandbach has become an associated consultant to Blyth-based public relations agency Round Table Solutions. He will work closely with MD John McCabe on the firm’s business development and providing strategic advice to clients.
NEW DIRECTIONS
Stokesley-based engineering business ProSalus has appointed new directors. Dick Greenock, from Thirsk, brings experience in the chemical sector while Steve Heighton, from Stocktonon-Tees, specialises in the gas sector.
HOW EMPLOYERS CAN ATTRACT THE BEST INDIVIDUALS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR PORT
Marie Glanville has joined the Port of Tyne as chief financial officer. Previously she was group financial controller at Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings plc and has worked in senior finance roles at North East listed companies including Grainger plc and the Go-Ahead Group plc, plus the housing company Gentoo.
FIRST-CLASS OPPORTUNITY
As KPMG welcomes its fifth year of school leavers onto its innovative six-year programme of degree, work experience and professional qualification, the first wave have graduated from the University of Durham and now start full-time work. One of them is Rebecca Birch, who works in KPMG’s Newcastle office. She secured a first class degree in the accountancy course specially developed between KPMG and the University of Durham.
Steve Heighton and Dick Greenock
Bob Forster with Nicholson Group MD David Nicholson
GOING FOR GROWTH
The Nicholson Group, which comprises three transport and logistics companies based in Billingham, has appointed Bob Forster as its chairman. Forster has worked in a non-executive and HR business partner role for the group for the past eight years.
The Hays Salary & Recruiting Trends report 2015, revealed increased employer confidence with 70% of employers surveyed planning to increase headcount over the year. However, with skill shortages becoming more of an acute issue, a high proportion of employers were already concerned they would encounter a shortage of suitable candidates when they looked to hire. For current insights into market trends join Hays on Wednesday 25th November 2015 at The Sage Gateshead for the official launch of the UK Salary & Recruiting Trends report 2016. Issues and guidance around skills shortages whilst recruiting continue to be a key theme in this year’s guide and will be addressed in a presentation from Regional MD Pam Lindsay-Dunn and Sarah Glendinning, Regional Director from CBI. Contact: Rachael Richards tel 0191 2613982 rachael.richards@hays.com
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 51
ExploreExport The flagship event returns on Monday 9 November and will be the first in a series of activities running throughout Export Week between 9 and 13 November 2015. The event will offer the chance to attend one-to-one meetings with market specialists, participate in seminars and engage with exhibitors that specialise in offering export support to SMEs. Whether you are new to exporting or an experienced exporter, ExploreExport 2015 will provide huge benefits to businesses who can take advantage of the collective insight, knowledge and expertise of highly experienced international trade specialists from around the world, who will support your entry into new markets with confidence.
To book go to www.exploreexport.ukti.gov.uk
DOUBLE TAKE
The professionals
Dean Bailey catches up with the head golf professionals at two of the North East’s best golf resorts
HEAD PROFESSIONAL. CLOSE HOUSE.
HEAD PROFESSIONAL RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL & GOLF CLUB
Jonathan Lupton Kevin Jackson
How long have you been in the job? I’ve been head professional at Close House for seven years having joined the club following my training at Middlesbrough Golf Club. I turned pro in 2003. What do you love about your job? That I make a living from the game that I fell in love with as a kid. Seeing the people I coach improve gives me great satisfaction as well, as does competing locally as often as I can. One of my proudest moments was coaching the Northumbria University team which won the Division One and Two titles last season. What are the most challenging aspects of your job? Balancing the time I spend between teaching, practising and playing. The hours are often anti-social as coaching has to fit in with people’s lives. Highlight of your career so far? As a professional, playing in the European Tour’s BMW Championship at Wentworth in 2008 and 2010. If I had to pick one win from my career I’d go for my second PGA Assistants’ title at London Golf Club in 2009 - I won by 10 shots! Who do you admire most? Justin Rose. I played alongside him for England Boys and I admire the way he has improved year-on-year throughout his career. Away from golf, I’d say Roger Federer. What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current job? I always wanted to work in sport - and from the age of 11 I wanted to be a professional sportsman. How will you spend your time when you retire? My wife (Libby) and daughters (Annabelle,5 and Lucy, 4) love spending time with their horses so we’ll spend a lot of time together with them. I’ll be playing as much golf as I can too.
How long have you been in the job? I joined Ramside Hall in February 1999 having moved to the North East from Southampton. I became a professional golfer in 1995. What do you love about your job? I’ve always loved coaching. I enjoy working with players of all abilities, from beginners through to elite players. Seeing them improve and enjoy the game, particularly seeing kids fall in love with the game, is a big part of why I’m a golf pro. What are the most challenging aspects of your job? Balancing all the elements of the job. I coach individuals, groups and Durham Sixth Form College, as well as parts of running the golf club and keeping my own game sharp. I also run my daughter’s football team - so there are lots of elements to fit in. Highlight of your career so far? I’ve won a few events through the years, but seeing the players I work with succeed has been fantastic. The Sixth Form team has played in the national finals two years in a row against some top schools and it’s been great to see them succeed. Who do you admire most? Fred Couples for the way he interacts with the fans and has respect for everyone. I also have a massive amount of respect for Tiger Woods’ achievements on the golf course. What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current job? I was in the Southampton FC academy system as a kid so the dream was always to be a professional footballer. Failing that, I would have probably worked for my dad’s roofing company. How will you spend your time when you retire? I may look at playing the European Senior Tour when I turn 50 as I haven’t had a run at playing full-time as a pro. Apart from that, I’ve got no plans yet - I like to think it’s still a long way off! OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 53
FAB 5
Fab 5 Your first boss...
This month we ask our Fab 5 about the people who shaped their careers
Amanda Vigar
1
Managing partner V&A Vigar & Co LLP My first boss was Clive Tulloch, partner at Coopers & Lybrand in London - now PWC. He was a little eccentric, which made him great fun to work for. He taught me to think outside the box, to not take things at face value, to ask questions, and to start with your gut reaction and then to back it up with facts. He was a bit like John Cleese, with a tendency to make sweeping gestures with his arms and legs, and he once kicked a client in a meeting - by accident!
Dean Newsome
2
Co-founder Clixta
My first bosses were my parents, George and Margaret Newsome, at the Edwardian fairground at Beamish Museum. The fair was owned and operated by my family for 27 years before my folks retired a few years ago. They were good to work for, but I couldn’t wait to get away and do my own thing. I learned a great deal working for them, but the bit of advice that has stuck with me is ‘think before you leap’ - consider the options, but listen to your gut instinct.
Lisa Eaton
3
Director Unwritten Creative My first boss was Graham Wylie at Sage UK. He is well respected, personable and approachable. He’d regularly walk the sales floor and made time for everyone. He taught me to be knowledgeable in your area, and to surround yourself with great people. He taught me the value of mixing work with fun, was a great people manager, and drove the social life at the company. He was a great believer in the idea that anything was possible given hard work and dedication.
Mike Matthews
4
MD, Nifco President, NECC
My first bosses were Ronnie Anderson, Stuart Bracher and Norman Hoggett at Elite Engineering. All three were hard-working and committed, they put a lot of hours in to become three of the best craftsmen around. I learned a lot from them, from attention to detail to respecting the people around you. I like to think I taught them a thing or two as well! All three of them developed several generations of apprenticeships, and I‘m still in touch with Stuart and Norman.
Martin Holland
5
Operations director, PolyPhotonix I worked as an engineer and technical sales manager in a Pilkington Group in Berkshire. The managing director there was a good engineer and an excellent businessman. He had an amazing eye for detail and built a culture where you always had ownership and responsibility. He taught me about detail and management disciplines, allowing me to grow quickly and later to join a company in Japan as the first ever foreign member of the main board.
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 55
OUT TO LUNCH
In training Liz Hands meets TTE Technical Training Services group MD Steve Grant
W
hen Steve Grant walks into Middlesbrough’s Brasserie Hudson Quay and tells staff he’s meeting someone, they point him in the direction of a table awaiting a diner – only it’s not him. I dash over to rescue him, and it turns out they miss out on some fantastic company. Our conversation quickly turns to far-flung corners of the world and the power of training to change lives there. There are many stories, including of the cuisine in Azerbaijan, travelling down the River Delta under armed guard, and a happy life in Middlesbrough. Brought up on Merseyside, he is an honorary Teessider. He’d been to Middlesbrough just once when he agreed to relocate here to take up a job at ICI, having worked in the North West as an engineer and then as a chartered management accountant. When the opportunity came up at ICI, he was so impressed with the company, he moved despite not knowing a soul here. It turned out to be a good move. Meeting and marrying a Teesside girl, he now has two sons and his family is firmly settled in the North East. During his time at ICI, he started to branch out from
finance into training. “Running come up to train Nigerians for management and negotiation an LNG plant. We had to get a courses gave me a taste for small boat with an armed guard training,” he says. “I’ve always to a bit of land about the size of been keen on self-development the Isle of Wight. We presented and education.” what we did and won the A graduate of business contract with Nigeria LNG. school Insead’s Leadership “Now, every year they send Transition post-graduate course, 30 Nigerians to Middlesbrough Grant’s passion for training led to be trained. They get around him to TTE. “ICI was starting to 50,000 applications for 30 split up and the opportunities places. It’s like winning the were narrowing,” he says. “I lottery if they get a job as a actively targeted training as my trained technician, and they can next move. When I went to TTE, go back and support their it was a time of great change. extended family. We also bring With the vagaries of Ghanaians over. They throw government funding, themselves into life here, commercialisation of joining local sports the business was teams and the ITS LIKE necessary. When I church, where WINNING THE joined, it was 80% suddenly the LOTTERY IF government choir gets a whole THEY GET A JOB funded and 20% lot more commercial. Now, animated.” it’s the other TTE trains in way round.” far-flung corners of the He became finance director globe, including Azerbaijan, soon after joining, and MD five Ghana, Oman, Georgia and years ago. “It’s an interesting, Equatorial Guinea. It also had a unusual company. I’ve got a presence in Libya, but was great job,” he says. “I’d done a forced to pull out with the bit of travel at ICI, but soon outbreak of civil war. after joining TTE, we realised TTE’s overseas work, along our skills were exportable and with its commercial operations there was a demand for them, in the UK, training at the likes particularly in oil and gas. of British Sugar, is key to its “So, I found myself on the core aim of training young way to Bonny Island in Nigeria, people to help them gain where the opportunity had employment in the North East.
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Its recently revamped centre, which, says Grant tongue-incheek, is painted red in a nod to Liverpool and Middlesbrough football colours, trains around 600 people at any one time. “We’re a charity and our core business is to train young people on Teesside,” he says. “We have 300 apprentices doing courses such as engineering or mechanical engineering, along with a further 300 young people working towards an apprenticeship or gaining qualifications. The limiting factor is the number of companies we can get to sponsor.”
ENERGY FOOD
It hasn’t been easy for TTE to keep those numbers. When the recession hit, many firms battened down the hatches and were unable or unwilling to take on new apprentices. TTE’s answer was to consolidate its own business on one site and continue to train the same number of young people. He says: “Apprenticeships are held in higher esteem these days, especially with university fees being what they are. People are considering apprenticeships more carefully as a viable option. They know those in technical jobs can make a lot of money and go on to have
interesting careers. It’s definitely not the second choice anymore.” But, no matter how enthusiastic potential apprentices are, it is still difficult for Grant to find enough businesses willing to take them on. “That’s one of our biggest challenges,” he says. “Government funding is changing constantly, so it’s difficult for companies to understand and, while we try to help them out, there is still a lack of confidence in industry. It still seems a big commitment to take on an apprentice.” Grant is hoping that, while
the details are still to be ironed out, Government proposals to introduce an apprenticeship levy in 2017 will increase the number of apprenticeships. “We’re always oversubscribed. It’s really sad when you can’t give an apprenticeship place to a young person,” he says. TTE has ambitious future expansion plans. “It’s all a bit hush-hush at the moment,” says Grant. “We are looking at a country in Europe. The more successful our commercial arm is, the more investment we can make in the training of young people here in the North East.”
We’re probably not the greatest influence on TTE MD Steve Grant’s training regime. Part-way through a three-course lunch at Middlesbrough’s Brasserie Hudson Quay, he reveals he is taking part in the Great North Run . Reassuring him that he needs to keep his energy levels up, we tuck into a £20 three-course meal. The brasserie is one of Michelin’s Bib Gourmands - restaurants recommended for good food at good prices. While the menu is European, taking in Italy, Spain and France, you could only be in one place. Floorto-ceiling windows afford views of Middlesbrough’s Transporter bridge and the bow of the North Sea Producer ship. We order goats’ cheese ravioli with a pine nut and rocket salad, along with ham hock terrine, which comes with crispy black pudding beignets and apple. Our photographer has the pork belly, which comes with huge plump blackberries, prompting talk of picking home-grown produce and making apple crumbles. Grant and I, meanwhile, both opt for the baby sole, served with Tenderstem broccoli and caper beurre noisette. It’s delightfully tender, falling away from the bone. Puddings at the Hudson are a white chocolate cheesecake where the standout on the plate is homemade honeycomb, while Grant opts for a huge portion of treacle sponge with crème Anglaise and ice cream. It doesn’t seem to have weighed him down too heavily, as he shaved nine minutes off his GNR time.
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 57
GNR
NECC adds extra competition to Great North Run
Port of Tyne runners meet Great North Run winner, Mo Farah
Race-within-a-race for North East businesses
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ECC added an extra slice of competition for its members competing in this year’s Great North Run which, with over 57,000 runners, is the world’s largest half marathon. As well as trying to beat previous race times and compete against friends and family, the region’s largest business membership organisation gave its members a chance to beat the best of North East business and compete in its Members’ Race, sponsored by Westfield Health. Charlie Nettle, head of marketing at NECC says: “While members were competing against each other on titles such as fastest time and the most money raised for their well-deserved charities, this race-within-a-race illustrates the strength of our membership, working together to make a difference.” Nearly 400 runners from 15 organisations across the membership competed in the Member Race, including PD Ports, Natwest/RBS, Deloitte, Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies, Mactech Inspection Ltd, Gott Technical Services, GFW Lettings, Asian Business Connexions, The Children’s Foundation and the sponsors, Westfield Health. They were also joined by some of NECC’s 200th anniversary patrons, including Port of Tyne, Newcastle International Airport, Gateshead College and Sage. Between them, they have run over 5,000
miles, which is the equivalent of running to Athens and back. Approximately £92,000 has been raised so far, with more than £125,000 expected to be donated in total. NECC employees were directly involved too. Throughout the Chamber’s anniversary year NECC colleagues have been volunteering their time to good causes around the region and nine NECC employees decided to undertake the Great North Run as their activity. The NECC Great North Run team ran for local member charity, The Toma Fund which offers support to young people and their families in the North East who have been affected by a diagnosis of childhood cancer. “The Toma Fund is such an inspirational charity,” says Charlie. “It’s great to be supporting a local charity that is helping people on our doorstep and that has so much passion for what it does.” Sue Han, business development consultant at Westfield Health, says: “Westfield Health has worked alongside the British Chambers of Commerce for nearly 15 years, providing our harder working health cover to its members. We’re proud of our strong relationship with NECC and we were keen to be involved, particularly during their 200th anniversary. “As a health and wellbeing provider, we were especially excited to support the chamber’s initiative to encourage its members to sign up to the Great North Run, and we were delighted to enter a team from Westfield Health.”
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1 Fastest team, Westfield Team
3 The Sage team who raised the most money overall
4 Port of Tyne team who raised the most money per runner
Ammar Mirza CBE and Louise Cannell-Mirza from Asian Business Connexions Team
Sports massages on hand for tired runners World Champion hurdler Colin Jackson
Red arrows display over the Charity Village
2 Nadine Hudspeth who was 2nd fastest female
The Children’s Foundation team
Natwest RBS team
NECC 200 MEMBER RACE TEAMS
CHARITY
Asian Business Connexions
Tiny Lives & Charlie Bear for Cancer Care
Deloitte
St Oswald’s Hospice
Gateshead College
Asthma UK, Alzheimers UK, St Oswalds Hospice, Cancer Research UK
GFW Lettings
The Stephen Carey Fund, The Evening Chronicle Sunshine Fund
Gott Technical Services
Cancer Research UK, Headway
Hydraulic & Offshore Supplies
Cancer Research UK
NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland
Olivia Mae Foundation and The Evening Chronicle Sunshine Fund
NECC
Toma Fund
Newcastle International Airport
Newcastle United Foundation and The Foundation of Light
PD Ports
Butterwick Hospice and High Tide Foundation
Port of Tyne
Cancer Connections, Cancer Research UK, The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, RNLI
Mactech Inspection Ltd
FOP Friends – Friends of Oliver
Sage UK
Cancer Research UK
The Children’s Foundation
The Children’s Foundation
Westfield Health
Children North East
Our Winners
NECC team member Rachel Fieldhouse finishes
1 Fastest Team – The record for the team with the fastest average time was won by our sponsors Westfield Health with an average time of 2:09:17. They were running for NECC member charity, Children North East – who promote the rights of children and young people and counter the effects of inequality on them, their families and communities. 2 Fastest Runners – Our fastest male was Andrew Arnell, PD Ports with a time of 1:27:21. He was running for NECC member charity, The Butterwick Hospice, who care for people of all ages who are living with a progressive life limiting illness. Our fastest female was Jodie Gray, with a time of 1:47:40. Jodie was running for The Children’s Foundation, who entered their
own team into NECC’s Member Race. The Children’s Foundation is a local member charity that helps disadvantaged, disabled and distressed children. Nadine ‘the machine’ Hudspeth, Gateshead College (pictured) was our second fastest female with a time of 1:51:55 (running for Cancer Research UK). 3 Most Money Raised – The team that secured the record for most money raised was Sage UK with a total of £46,825. This was raised for Cancer Research UK. 4 Average Money Raised – The
team that achieved the highest average funds for charity was Port of Tyne - £446 per runner, which will be donated to Cancer Connections, Cancer Research, The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and RNLI.
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EVENTS
NECC 200th Anniversary Gala Dinner September 17, Durham Cathedral sponsored by Heathrow Airport, UKTI and NECC200 Anniversary Patrons
Guests at Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral
Louise Robinson, Creo Communications and Gurminder Marwaha, McKinsey & Co
Durham Cathedral choir
John Ellis and John Watson, United Carlton
Mark Emmerson and Tony Leech, HSBC
Jonathan Fletcher, PG Legal and Bryn Littleton, Creo Communications
The Sounding of the Retreat, performed by the County Durham Cadet Rifles Band and Bugles
60 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
Bazaar Group
NECC Presidents Club Golf Day September 9, Slaley Hall
Business, Innovation and Skills minister Sajid Javid MP
Winning Team: John Ellis, United Carlton; Dave Robinson, Deloitte; Katie Adams, Ward Hadaway; Richard Adams, TSG
NECC Exchange with Cumbria Chamber August 26, Slaley Hall
Christine Wood, Aon; Gavin Carson, Aon; Mauro Biagioni, NVM Private Equity; Steve Redgwell, Aon
Mike Morris, Cumbria Chamber; Lissa Balmer, Utilitywise (sponsor)
Neil Todd, JN Todd; Jo Tate, University Carlisle; Michelle Atkinson, DP Supplies
NECC Exchange with Durham Business Group October 23, Ramside Hall, Durham, 11am-2pm, FREE Jeff Brown, with Rachel and Stephen Miller
NECC welcomes guests from Durham Business Group to its flagship networking event, which encourages an exchange of experiences, ideas and offers between businesses; intertwined with multiple opportunities to network and build new contacts. A round-table networking event with three table changes. Limited amount of exhibition stands available at £25.00+VAT, email events@necc.co.uk. Sponsored by Ramside Hall
Judith Doyle, Nadine Hudspeth, and John Gray, Gateshead College
Sue Snowdon, HM Lord-Leiutenant of County Durham and Clare Harbord, Heathrow Airport
Ramside Hall Hotel is the largest privately owned luxury hotel in the North East and is the highest rated AA property in Durham – but that’s not all it has to currently shout about. Over the past two years £16m has been invested in the hotel, which means it has some of the best and most luxurious features that the region has to offer. Its renowned golf club now boasts two championship courses. The hotel can also boast the Spa At Ramside – quite simply on course to be one of the best in the country. With its five pools, state-of-the-art gym, beauty snug, treatment rooms – not to mention the Fusion Asian restaurant and hairdressers. The extensive facilities make it probably the most complete and perfect venue in the region. OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015 / CONTACT / www.necontact.co.uk / 61
EVENTS
Flagship Events NOV
NOV
12
19
£37.50*
NOV
24
£37.50*
£37.50*
NECC200 Durham & Wearside Anniversary Lunch
NECC200 Tees Valley Anniversary Lunch
NECC200 Tyne & Northumberland Anniversary Lunch
11:30-14:00, Sunderland Marriott, Seaburn
11:30-14:00, Rockliffe Hall, Tees Valley
11:30-14:00, Newcastle Racecourse
OCT 01 North East Welcomes the Rugby World Cup; Celebration Dinner 17:30-21:30, Newcastle Civic Centre
£60*
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION NETWORK OCT 06 Linking Business with Education
OCT 07 Redcar & Cleveland Area Meeting
FREE
FREE
08:00-12:00, Hartlepool Sixth Form College
NOV 13 North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 18:30-01:00, Crowne Plaza, Newcastle
OCT 14 Legislation Update
09:30-11.30, Durham County Cricket Club
£80*
FREE
NOV 25 Discipline & Investigations
Networking
09:30-11.30, Durham County Cricket Club
FREE
OCT 07 NECC Local (Team Valley Monthly)
08:30-10:30, Area North The Lounge Coffee Shop, Team Valley
FREE
OCT 22 Durham Oktoberfest
NOV 26 Behind the Scenes : Caterpillar (Medium Businesses) 15:30-18:00, Caterpillar, Peterlee
FREE
INTERNATIONAL
09:00-16:30, Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe
FREE
OCT 23 NECC Exchange with Durham Business Group 11:00-14:00, Ramside Hall Durham
OCT 08 Customs Compliance, Processes and Documents 09:15-15:30, Durham County Cricket Club
FREE
£300*
NOV 04 NECC Local (Team Valley Monthly)
08:30-10:30, Area North The Lounge Coffee Shop, Team Valley
FREE
OCT 22 Letters of Credit and Methods of Payment 09:15-15:30, Durham County Cricket Club £300* NOV 10 Export Processes, Compliance and Documents
NOV 18 North East Expo
09:00-16:00, Newcastle Falcons, Kingston Park
FREE
09:15-15:30, Durham County Cricket Club
NOV 25 NECC Local
£300*
FREE
NOV 24 Import Processes, Compliance and Documents
16:30-18:30, Black Horse, Beamish
DEC 03 NECC Christmas Exchange
AREA MEETINGS/ COMMITTEES 08:15-10:00, SSI UK, Redcar
OCT 08 Tees Valley/Co Durham Bank of England Panel 08:00-9:30, Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield
FREE
OCT 09 North Tyneside Area Meeting 08:00-09:30, Village Hotel, North Tyneside
FREE
NOV 11 Tees Valley Committee 16:00-18:00, Evolution LLP, Wynyard
FREE
OCT 20 Sunderland Area Meeting 16:00-17:30, Stadium of Light, Sunderland
FREE
NOV 12 South Tyneside Area Meeting 08:00-10:00, TBC
FREE
NOV 18 Northumberland Area Meeting 16:00-18:00, TBC
FREE
NOV 18 Hartlepool Area Meeting
16:00-18:00, West Hartlepool RFC, Hartlepool
FREE
NOV 27 Durham Area Meeting 08:00-10:00, Northumbrian Water
FREE
NOV 30 NewcastleGateshead Committee 16:00-18:00, TBC
FREE
11:00-14:00, Copthorne Newcastle
09:15-15:30, Durham County Cricket Club
FREE
£300*
DEC 01 Middlesbrough Area Meeting
DEC 10 Stand Up and Be Counted
DEC 03 Customs Compliance, Processes and Documents
FREE
10:00-12:00, Middlesbrough Hotel
FREE
Foundation Award in International Trade - NECC member price £800* (Global member price £640+VAT) - contact us for information
To book
0300 303 6322
09:15-15:30, Durham County Cricket Club
£300*
08:15-10:00, Middlesbrough Hotel
DEC 08 Stockton Business Forum 16:00-18:00, TBC
FREE
events@necc.co.uk www.necc.co.uk/events
62 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
*NECC Member Price. (+VAT)
THANK YOU
For your recent membership renewals. Particular thanks to members supporting NECC for over 15 years 40-99 YEARS Ringtons Limited Marton Hotel & Country Club
65 43
35 35 34 32
25-29 YEARS Komatsu UK Limited Newcastle International Airport NorthEast Press Ltd Dennhofer Wines Ltd Punch Robson Ward Hadaway Solicitors WWT Washington Wetland Centre Carroll & Meynell Ltd New Bridge Street Bedding Centre Thermal Detection Ltd
October 22, The Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe, 9am-4.30pm
15-19 YEARS
30-39 YEARS AAF International Eversheds LLP Port Of Tyne Northdale Rotary Engineering Ltd
Durham Oktoberfest
29 28 27 26 26 26 26 25 25 25
20-24 YEARS FIsocom Components 2004 Ltd 24 Ladrim Ltd T/A Cleveland Chroming Company 24 BIB (Darlington) Limited 23 Dissington Hall 23 Hartlepool Borough Council 23 B P Exploration 22 JBT Waste Services Ltd 22 New College Durham 22 Architectural Powder Coatings 21 Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd 21 Latimer Hinks 21 Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service 21 Whittle Jones North East 21 Datastor 20 Northumbria Safety Limited 20 Perception 20 Poppies 20 Signet AC Ltd 20 Sun FM Ltd 20 Wearset 20
CDS Security Ltd 19 High Force Research Ltd 19 Nick Jackson 19 Orange County Ltd 19 Rosh Engineering Ltd 19 S M H Products 19 Turbo Power Systems Ltd 19 Gordon Brown Law Firm LLP 18 Scotia UK plc 18 Total Communications & Security Ltd 18 A Williamson Ltd (AWL) 17 Assembly & Packaging Services Ltd 17 Davison Tyne Metal Ltd 17 Direct Recruitment 17 Intelect (UK) Limited 17 LCP Investments Ltd 17 OH3 Ltd 17 RMIPS Ltd 17 Serco International Fire Training Centre 17 Westwaters 17 A M Hire 16 Beacon Creative 16 Browns Language Services 16 Ellwood & Hoyle Leisure Security North East Ltd 16 GB Belting Limited 16 Industrial Workwear Limited 16 Lord Hire Centres 16 Momentum Taxation & Accountancy Ltd 16 Rotational Engineering Limited 16 Stratton Valves and Engineering Ltd 16 Advanced Electronics Ltd 15 Agma Ltd 15 APRIL Medibroker Limited 15 B.J. Electrical Services 15 Cleveland Studios Ltd 15 CPS Electrical Contractors Limited 15 Crusader Services 15 Devine Chemicals 15 Diamond Drilling & Cutting Ltd 15 Primex Plastics Ltd 15 Returnable Packaging Solutions Ltd 15
The above businesses have been members for 15 years or more and renewed their membership in July and August 2015
Durham Oktoberfest is a showcase of the region’s world class engineering & manufacturing capabilities. Now in its 8th year Durham Oktoberfest 2015 is set to once again surpass the success of previous years with over 150 exhibitors and more than 1500 visitors through the doors. The event is an annual opportunity for the engineering and manufacturing sector to come together and demonstrate both their individual and collective capability with the aim of meeting new contacts, strengthening networks and ultimately winning new orders and generating sales. Join NECC in exhibiting at this event. Visit www.durhamoktoberfest.org.uk or call 0191 303 7772 for more information on exhibiting or visiting.
NECC Christmas Exchange December 3, Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle, 11am-2pm, FREE An NECC Exchange with a Christmas theme returns to the Copthorne Newcastle. This event will support the Metro Radio Cash 4 Kids appeal and asks each attendee to bring along a Christmas gift. Sponsored by Copthorne Hotel
The Copthorne Hotel Newcastle has held its stunning position on the banks of the river Tyne since 1990. Over the last 3 years the hotel has undergone substantial refurbishment. Boasting 156 bedrooms all overlooking the river, the hotel has comfortable surroundings and a calm location, ideal for both business and leisure travellers. The Copthorne provide a wide range of function rooms to suit all events, from balcony boardrooms to the Cuthbert suite with private bar. Other amenities include a riverside restaurant, a new fitness room and outdoor terrace and an enclosed multi-storey car park.
MEMBER 2 MEMBER
MEMBER TO MEMBER OFFERS ED TU R FE A
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Make more of your NECC membership with these great member offers and many more on the NECC website
20% DISCOUNT ON VOLUNTEERING DAYS
FUNFOOD HIRE IN DURHAM & DARLINGTONS
50% OFF COMMUNICATION SKILLS WORKSHOP
Thrive Offer Code: Thrive CSR
Event 167 Offer Code: NECC-FF10
Bravo Charlie Communications OFFER CODE: WORKSHOP
A CSR day with Thrive in Saltwell Park, Gateshead, provides a great way to demonstrate how your organisation plays a positive, responsible and active part in helping local people within the local community where you operate.
We use popular American equipment with our services which includes cotton candy floss and kettle corn / popcorn. We even offer an option for gourmet popcorn which is unique to Event 167. Lure you party guests through the door today with a mouthwatering 10% discount of all our funfood services.
50%One-day Communication Skills Workshop is an ideal way to up-skill a team that needs to communicate with different audiences. Usual price: £1,500 for up to 10 delegates. NECC offer price: only £750 for up to 10 delegates.
http://bit.ly/1iLO9TP
http://bit.ly/1LA4PVu
http://bit.ly/1iLOqq4
10% DISCOUNT FOR ALL NECC MEMBERS
DISCOUNTED OFQUAL APPROVED FIRST AID COURSES
FIRE WARDEN COURSES FROM AIS WORLD CLASS TRAINING
http://bit.ly/1LiQG3e
http://bit.ly/1KiA6hN
http://bit.ly/1P2CdYc
£100 CASH BACK ON HP OFFICE JET PRO X SERIES PRINTERS
FREE WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY CHECK
VEHICLE TRACKING FROM NORTELCO - FREE DASH CAM
http://bit.ly/1UWQyqP
http://bit.ly/1OyyKlY
http://bit.ly/1OgYqnX
For many more members offers visit www.necc.co.uk/offers 64 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2015
ANNA BLACKWELL
Become a member NECC is the North East’s largest business membership organisation. We represent around 4,000 businesses – a third of the region’s workforce. NECC welcomes businesses into membership regardless of their size, age or sector. As a chamber member you can access a whole host of business support services. Our members join and engage with us for many different reasons; • Expand your network of business contacts • Tap into the knowledge of your own Dedicated Relationship Manager – make new connections • Raise your company profile • Peace of mind with Legal Expenses Insurance up to £50,000 • Access 24/7 Legal Advice Line: Employment law, contracts, taxation, environment and health & Safety • Training • International trade • Policy We have a number of packages designed to suit your business needs.
“Joining NECC enabled me to cut HR costs, I still have peace of mind with the legal helpline on hand 24/7 should an issue arise”
To join the NECC or to find out more about the benefits of being an NECC member and to be part of it visit www.necc.co.uk
0300 303 6322 enquiries@necc.co.uk www.necc.co.uk @NEChamber /NorthEastChamber
GUEST COLUMNIST
Last Word
Story Homes chief executive Steve Errington explores the future of the housing market, and the need for investment in key skills and local government
T
here has been a great deal of welcome change in the housing market in the last two years. The introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework has greatly improved the number of sites getting through the planning system, and we now need the resources and people to deliver those sites. There has also been an economic uplift following the recession, which has boosted sales thanks to a more stable economy and increased consumer confidence. Furthermore, the extension of the Help to Buy scheme to 2020, and a great improvement in mortgage products offered by banks have been very welcome. We have recently been given the green light for three sites in the North East – at Rake Lane and Backworth in North Tyneside and at Wynyard, a total of 350 homes. However, the approval for these sites is just the first hurdle. There is now a more proactive predevelopment outlook from the majority of local planning authorities. However, following local government cuts post2008, planning departments are now less well resourced. The Government’s productivity plan outlines a streamlining of the whole planning process and I welcome that, but we need to see it in action. We need a commitment by local and national Government to ensure planning
authorities can deal with the increase in developments proposed as we currently face delays of up to six months between agreeing sites and getting onto them. Furthermore, utility companies, as well as BT, have struggled to cope with the number of sites now coming through. The industry nationally is calling for improvements in this area, and investment in those organisations is greatly needed as we get onto sites across the UK. A further challenge we, and the wider construction industry faces, is a skills shortage. We are continuing to grow programmes for school placements, apprentices and graduates across the business, not just in trades, and we need young people willing to take those roles. There needs to be more done to promote our sector and get young people into careers with us. There are huge opportunities out there; we need to communicate them. Education organisations are spending a great deal on facilities and new programmes, which is the first step, and employers need to work with education providers to solve this problem. We also need to look at areas where there is a requirement for new homes. The Government has promoted the use of brownfield sites and I welcome the use of those; however, it does present challenges. Brownfield sites are designated for a
66 / www.necontact.co.uk / CONTACT / OCTOBER - NOVEMER 2015
reason and are often very costly to prepare for housing. They are also often in areas where there is less demand. I would like to see more opportunities for careful greenfield and greenbelt development, in areas where housing stock is really needed. The first step in that is a robust assessment of housing requirements. When you look back at Kate Barker’s Review of Housing Supply from 2004, she outlined a need for 230,000240,000 homes per year. We have been nowhere near that level. She talked about a housing crisis back in 2005, that deficit has only got bigger since. We are only now building half that number. The benefits of meeting this housing shortage are huge. Not only do we provide more stock, this increase will bring down the price of houses making it easier for families to get onto the housing ladder. Also, as Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners reported in March, every new home built creates 4.3 jobs. Construction has a big multiplier impact in terms of economic activity and job creation locally. For every new home we build in the North East, we’re creating jobs. The planning system has changed a great deal in the last five years and we have welcomed a great deal of those changes. We now need to follow through on those and have consistency in those changes going forward.
The all-new Audi Q7 The Legend continues. Few cars have what it takes to become a legend. But the all-new Audi Q7 is one of them. It’s lighter, more agile and more advanced – with seven seats, a luxurious interior and quattro® all-wheel-drive designed to take on the most challenging conditions. The Legend continues on a test drive at your local Audi Centre. Book yours now.
Newcastle Audi Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7LA 0191 226 1144 www.newcastle.audi.co.uk Teesside Audi Brooklime Avenue, Preston Farm, Stockton on Tees TS18 3UR 01642 603 444 www.teesside.audi.co.uk Tyneside Audi Silverlink Park, Wallsend, Newcastle upon Tyne NE28 9NT 0191 289 6200 www.tyneside.audi.co.uk Wearside Audi Stadium Way (Opposite Stadium of Light), Sunderland SR5 1AT 0191 564 5600 www.wearside.audi.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures for the Q7 range in mpg (l/100km) from: Urban 42.2 (6.7) – 44.8 (6.3), Extra Urban 47.1 (6.0) – 53.3 (5.3), Combined 45.6 (6.2) – 49.6 (5.7). CO2 emissions: 163 – 148g/km. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Range of figures stated reflect optional downgrade from the standard 19” alloy wheel to 18” wheel. Other optional wheels may also affect emissions and fuel consumption figures.
002712-23_HOT - RS 3 and Q7 ad adapts for NE Audi - Q7_186x273_v2.indd 1
23/09/2015 17:27
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