Contact magazine - June-July 2017

contact Together We Grow Stronger

June - July 2017

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Welcome...

Chamber president Mike Matthews MBE on further upheaval and the resilience of Chamber members who, despite the pressures of an uncertain world, keep producing inspiring stories of business success

For the past few months every issue of Contact has heralded something dramatic in our midst and this publication is, unfortunately, no different.

No-one expected an election to be called while we have so much uncertainty already, but here we are. I’m sure we will do what we usually do in our region - roll up our sleeves and get on with it.

Whatever the reasons for calling an election now, there needs to be definite pressure on all the parties to show clearly how they will deliver fair economic growth for businesses in the North East and help the UK to secure a favourable Brexit deal.

Last year, as some of you will know, the company I run, Nifco UK, won the Company of the Year at the North East Business Awards. This year’s award winners have now been announced and what an exemplary group they are. They represent outstanding business practice and team work. So, I send many congratulations to them all including Omega Plastics, which won Company of the Year. I also send congratulations to the new Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen. This election represents an historic opportunity for the south of the region to take charge of its own future.

This is my final column as Chamber president, as I will hand over the reins to my successor in June, and I want to thank you for all your support during my two years. It really has been one of the most enjoyable, yet busiest, times in my career.

During my presidency, one of the most helpful and supportive people I’ve worked with was Brian Manning, who recently sadly passed away. He did so much for the wider North East business community, especially as chair of the County Durham Committee and as vice president for the last three years.

He dedicated a huge amount of time to making the North East a better place, especially for young people entering the world of work. We shall greatly miss his outstanding business sense, his focus on creating a brighter future and his sense of fun.

Mike Matthews, Chamber president EDITOR Jane Pikett jane@offstonepublishing.co.uk EDITORIAL TEAM Dean Bailey Liz Hands Owen McAteer Paul Robertson Rosie Waller

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“When people make such a big purchase, it's important they feel valued” Michelle Caveney, Lloyd BMW

36 Staying safe: Peter Houlis

It all adds up: Tony Glenton

Driving ahead: Michelle Caveney

Contents

06 60 Seconds

30 Success

With Fairstone's Lee Hartley

The secrets of recycled furniture at Marmax

10 In my view

34 Profile

With James Ramsbotham

Ryecroft Glenton's Tony Glenton

13 Inbox

36 Profile

News and views from the world of business

Michelle Caveney, head of business at Lloyd Newcastle BMW and MINI

12-23 News

Manufacturing and engineering

28 Double Take

Movers and shakers across the region

Be our guest for two of the North East's hospitality experts going head-to-head

29 Policy Ross Smith reflects on the upcoming General Election www.neechamber.co.uk

42 Special focus

The latest from Chamber members including record breaking results, business partnerships and more

54 People 56 Motoring Exploring in the new MINI Countryman

64 Last word Security expert Peter Houlis' view contact 5

A round with

"I wasn't going to go down the engineering route; I was spending all my time in the business school" Lee Hartley, chief executive of Fairstone, takes to the fairways to tell Dean Bailey how a Northumbria University mechanical engineering graduate ends up heading the UK’s largest chartered financial planning firm Spend an hour in the company of Lee Hartley and you can’t help but be drawn in by his enthusiasm – whether for golf, rock music, or taking the next step in the fast-paced Fairstone story.

Founded by Hartley in 2008, six months before the financial crisis hit, Fairstone Financial Management has grown into the UK's largest chartered financial planning firm through a number of acquisitions and funding rounds.

With a £25m investment from Synova Capital, it aims to grow turnover by £10m-12m per annum in each of the next five years. It employs some 400 people, has a turnover of £45m, oversees £7bn in client assets, and all its investment portfolios are five-star Defaqto rated.

This success, Hartley explains, is the product of an innovative approach to financial planning. Hartley, a mechanical engineering graduate who spent much of his time at university in the business school rather han the engineering department, has developed a technology platform which, he says, strips away the “clunky” processes and tools commonly used in the financial services sector. This, he says, ultimately improves the efficiency of advisers while generating new clients through integrated marketing.

Away from Fairstone’s South Tyneside HQ – the hub for a national operation encompassing 35 offices - you may find him at his home golf club, Close House in Northumberland, which is where I joined him for a round. This is what he told me:

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We had built relationships with national golf organisations through sponsoring events and I had to start taking advantage of all the invites I was getting. Four members of our senior management team took up the game together, so we were equally terrible, and we’ve stuck at it.

Q You've built a very successful business in a short time - who inspired you to do that?

My dad – he was never scared to do something himself. He managed rock bands, was co-owner of a motorcycle shop, had a sandwich business...none of them made any money and all of them made my mother highly stressed, but he gave every one his best. When I came to launch my first business I wasn’t scared, I knew it wasn’t out of reach.

Q With travelling and heading up a national company, how do you fit a game of golf in?

I’m playing off a handicap of 18 and make sure I play at least once a week, rain or shine.

Q What is your favourite golfing memory?

Playing in our Fairstone Cup tournament at the spectacular Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland ahead of the Home Internationals in 2016. I drove it 280 yards down the middle of the fairway on the first - it was the best shot I hit all day!

Q If I were meeting you for the first time, how would you describe yourself?

Very well Photoshopped!

Q Which moment would you rather forget?

At our first two-day event ahead of the Home Internationals, I had an air shot in front of a big gallery. The worst thing was the silence! I was just praying for somebody to laugh.

Q You picked up golf in your 30s, was it a good decision?

I wish I’d taken the game up years ago. I started five years ago having finished my rugby career for good.

Q Which decision stands out as key to where you are today?

It would have to be fundamentally changing the way in which Fairstone acquires businesses. Rather than www.neechamber.co.uk

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A round with weakness is anything from within 100 yards, those shots which require finesse over power.

Q What about in the boardroom?

I’m analytical and can translate what a spreadsheet says into the real world. Coming from outside the financial services industry is also a great strength – it allows me to be objective. We’ve got a range of expertise in our senior management team which is key when you’re trying to do things differently. My lack of patience is certainly a weakness.

Q You looked up to your dad growing up - but who do you admire on the golf course?

I’m a big Tiger Woods fan. He transformed the game – its global reach, the prize money, the golf courses, and the way golfers train and look. He was so important to what the game has become. He’s a fearless competitor and if he hadn’t had injury problems I’m sure he’d still be the best in the world.

Q And in the business world?

Few highly successful people have operated outside of their one market or sector. I admire Elon Musk for his work in different arenas.

Q If I could offer you any three playing partners - who would you pick?

Tiger Woods, Alice Cooper and 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus. We could settle the argument about who is the greatest golfer in history while the stories from Alice and Tiger could be even better than the golf!

the traditional method of acquiring first and integrating later, we integrate a target firm at the outset, help them grow and complete the acquisition downstream. Ultimately it means we may pay more, but this reversal of the process dramatically de-risks the transaction.

Q What’s the best moment of your career so far?

Our most recent private equity deal with Synova Capital. We put an initial £25m into the business from Synova’s third £250m fund, against a sensible valuation, and created a good return for some of our earlier stage shareholders. The deal delivers a very strong foundation for our future growth.

Q What are your strengths and weaknesses on the golf course?

I’m a big hitter and can strike the ball pretty well. My 8

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Q If you weren't heading up Fairstone, what would you be doing?

I applied to become an RAF pilot but was rejected as I wear contact lenses, so I may have gone down that route.

Q What’s next on your bucket list?

I’d like to get back into my cycling, though that would mean two 6am starts every weekend. I’d like to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats in the near future.

Q What does the future hold?

For Fairstone, our medium-term target is to reach £100m in annual revenues. On the personal front, I have the lofty ambition to get my handicap into single figures. I'm also looking forward to watching my wife Michelle compete for Great Britain at her second European Duathlon Championships - I get ridiculously proud! www.neechamber.co.uk

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In my view

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham is optimistic about the region's future

Chamber chief executive James Ramsbotham

With all the changes afoot across the country with the new mayors and councillors, there is still one certainty - we are a truly outstanding region.

This was demonstrated clearly at the North East Business Awards, which we organised jointly with the Journal and Evening Gazette.

We send our hearty congratulations to all the award winners who are featured in this issue.

I have no doubt they will have overcome all types of challenges and problems to make their ventures successful. They are true testament to our proud tradition of northern grit and tenacity.

There has never been more uncertainty in the country’s economic situation and this means there are pressures outside the control of businesses.

Despite this, there is talent all around us, from innovative science companies to passionate creative businesses stretching the length and breadth of the North East.

It gives us great pleasure to be part of these awards, which are a true showcase of everything that is so superb about being based in the North East.

I also want to congratulate Ben Houchen on winning the Tees Valley Mayoral election.

This is such an important role as the Mayor will be the economic figurehead for the area. As such, he is the initial vital contact for any multi-national companies

“We want our young people to put down firm roots and stay in the North East”

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and will help to ensure they see the benefits of the Tees Valley as a place to invest.

The Tees Valley has a great opportunity to take charge of its own destiny with this appointment on vital areas for potential growth such as skills, regional image, the visitor economy, infrastructure, land for development and Brexit negotiations.

I hope he is able to take up his role right from the get go and not be too distracted by the general election.

Let us hope it is not too long before the north of the region is able to join Tees Valley in taking advantage of this devolved freedom.

Skills have been a key issue for many of our members, particularly those on a growth path, and I am delighted we have been able to play our part in launching two great employment initiatives in May. I urge all our members to take part in the fantastic Building My Skills programme developed by our Chamber Partner Member Esh Group.

This initiative has been groundbreaking in giving year 9 students a year of business-based information and experience, where they find out about the world of work, from the horses’ mouth, (or businesspeople), so to speak.

Our director of policy Ross Smith launched a new phase of this programme at Stockton’s All Saints Academy, with a pledge of our commitment to encourage more companies to take part.

We all know this is a great place to do business and we want our young people www.neechamber.co.uk

This year's North East Business Awards winners

to put down firm roots and stay in the North East.

As a result, in partnership with Nifco UK, we have now also launched 50 Great Reasons to Build a Career in the North East. This initiative will ensure businesses are able to access the right talent and invest in skills for the future.

We outlined our ambition to champion a working North East in our manifesto and this will now be delivered through a range of materials to make sure young people know of the career opportunities available to them. I have every confidence our members are cognisant of how first-class the North East is as a place to work, but we believe this initiative will ensure the benefits are laid out, in plain sight, of the next generation. www.neechamber.co.uk

Our AGM will take place in June and I am looking forward to seeing you all there.

We will be reviewing our progress over the last 12 months as usual and setting out our ambitious plans for the future, guided by you, our members.

This year’s event will be, unfortunately, a sadly poignant one for all of us at the Chamber as our much-admired and loved vice president, Brian Manning, passed away in April.

I had known him for 25 years in various capacities but in all of these he was always a person who married sharp business acumen with tremendous generosity of spirit towards those less fortunate than himself.

He will be very much missed and remembered with great affection. contact   11

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Email your news, views, comment and gossip to submissions@neechamber.co.uk

MD Charles Clinkard and chairman Ian McBride with the retail award

If the shoe fits

North East-based national footwear retailer Charles Clinkard has been voted the best in the country by industry peers.

The Stockton-based company, which has 33 outlets around the country, picked up the coveted Multiple Footwear Retailer of the Year title in the Footwear Industry Awards at Birmingham NEC. It’s the third time the family-run firm, started more than 90 years ago, has won this prestigious award.

The retailer is also shortlisted in the Best Online Footwear offer category at the Drapers Footwear Awards.

Andy Preston of Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, Catherine Devereaux of Endeavour Partnership, Cara Ing and Lucy Bell of the Prince’s Trust

Charitable endeavour

Stockton law firm Endeavour Partnership has donated £7,500 to Fairbridge House, Middlesbrough HQ of the Prince’s Trust.

The cash was raised in a variety of ways including sales of planners featuring iconic local images, sponsored walks, bake-offs and the Transporter Bridge Challenge, which saw 15 of the team climbing the 210 steps to the top of the bridge.

The funds were match-funded by the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, bringing the total to £15,000 for Fairbridge, which provides training and educational opportunities for 16 to 25-year-olds. www.neechamber.co.uk

TWEET TWEET

Our pick of recent events across the region on Twitter Instore Radio Pro (@instoreradiopro): We are delighted to be working with @NEEChamber #supporting #NorthEast #business Esh Added Value (@EshAddedValue): Great to have ` @NEEChamber involved with our #employability programme #BuildingMySkills Tom Warnock (@NEEChamberTom): Welcome to new @NEEChamber members @NorthernSafety1 Delighted to have you on board.

Jennifer Rycroft (@NEEChamberJen): Thanks @NEEChamber #neechamberpartner @Sage_Gateshead for hosting our Partner lunch today. Great discussion on role of culture in the NE #JoinYourChamber Katie Foster (@ktmo89): Great day networking with @NEEChamber for inspiring females afternoon! #inspiringfemales #womeninbusiness Ben Powick @NEEChamberBen): Productive meeting with @PaulBrannenNE outlining @NEEChamber views - looking forward to future collaborative work to promote #NorthEast!

Staff from the two companies with Michelle Muir from Macmillan Cancer Support

We love fundraising, us Staff from Frank’s the Flooring Store and Connection Retail are celebrating after jointly raising £30,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The funds were raised by a combination of generous donations from staff, customers and suppliers matched by the companies.

l-r Prof David Deehan, Meenu Malhotra, Prof Sir Doug Turnbull and Dr Daniel Hipps

Medical marvels Newcastle-based leisure and hospitality giant Malhotra Group plc has donated £33,000 to the Mitochondria Research Group at Newcastle University.

The donation will support research into the cause and treatment of osteoporosis by orthopaedic surgeon Daniel Hipps.

Malhotra Group operates 12 residential homes in the North East. Group chairman Meenu Malhotra said the donation was inspired by seeing the suffering the condition can cause. He has also pledged £100,000 to fund research into muscle injury in the elderly and trauma patients. contact 13

News Flying high Travel management company Travel Bureau and risk management consultant Athena Risk have joined forces to deliver the new Travel Safe programme.

Travel Safe offers a combination of travel management services, risk mitigation expertise and state-ofthe-art technology, ensuring that travellers stay safe throughout their journey.

Its range of services include pre-travel advice relating to foreign office updates, passport and visa requirements, 24/7 travel (itinerary) support for emergency changes due to changing business demands or the impact of industrial action and global events and 24/7 Risk Management support via the Athena Gateway App, using advanced GPS technology.

Credit: Flypro-UK

Record results Port of Blyth has announced record financial results for the second consecutive year as turnover grew by 17% to £23.2m in 2016.

A 50% year-on-year increase saw group pre-tax profits reach a record £1.9m while commercial vessel movements at the port, now the seventh largest of its kind in the UK, grew by 20%.

The key driver of this growth was

energy sector-related trade, supported by the port’s continued success in attracting unitised, breakbulk and dry bulk cargoes. Increasingly seen as a strategic North East offshore energy supply base, the port grew its client list significantly in 2016.

The year was also notable for the Tall Ships Regatta attracting 500,000 visitors, boosting the local economy by £13.5m.

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Praise for skills development The first train delivering aggregates into AV Dawson for the new £2.4bn Sirius Minerals project in Whitby

Material mine l-r Sarah Glendinning, CBI; Andy Buckworth; Ian Smith, Middlesbrough College; Paul Drechsler, CBI; Zoe Lewis, Peter Wilson and Steve Ankers

One of the most influential people in British business headed to Teesside to voice his support for the area’s skills.

Paul Drechsler, president of the CBI, visited Middlesbrough College to see the innovative ways in which skills are being developed for industry.

The former ICI worker commended the approach of the college and its training arm - Northern Skills Group - -which work closely with industry to develop NECC_Advert_Updated.pdf 1 03/06/2016 skills solutions that match business

requirements. “North East economic growth in the years ahead will depend on a labour force which can exploit new technologies and discoveries, so workers with a background in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) will increasingly be in demand,” he said.

“The Government’s new Industrial Strategy must help to ensure that the skills needs of businesses can be 15:36:41 effectively delivered at a local level.”

The first material for the construction of a new polyhalite mine has arrived on Teesside.

A train carrying aggregates arrived at AV Dawson’s Teesside freight terminal and unloaded for onward delivery by road.

The ambitious £2.4bn Sirius Minerals project includes the construction of the Woodsmith Mine near Whitby and a 23-mile tunnel to transport the ore to processing and harbour facilities on Teesside.

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The Tees Valley must be self-confident in shouting about its qualities, a leading Formula 1 engineer told business leaders on an appearance in the region.

Rob Smedley, head of vehicle performance at the Williams F1 team, addressed members of the Business Exchange at Teesside University’s Centre for Professional and Executive Development in Darlington, before addressing university staff at their annual Working with Business conference.

Smedley, originally from Normanby and awarded an honorary Doctorate in Professional Studies by Teesside University in 2009, spoke about his career in motor racing and how qualities which make a successful racing team, such as a constant pursuit of perfection, continual innovation and competitor knowledge, can be applied in business.

In lieu of a fee, Smedley asked for a donation to be made to an initiative he is setting up in the Tees Valley to help young people from less-privileged backgrounds become interested in engineering and STEM through motorsport.

Root and branch The North East's largest building society is further strengthening its presence and investment in its heartland through a new branch review and continuing investment programme.

Following the recent relocation and upgrade in Darlington to create a purpose-built branch and financial advice centre, Newcastle Building Society has now revealed plans to invest in the relocation or refurbishment of three branches in Durham, Carlisle and Berwick over the next 18 months.

As part of its strategic decision to focus on its heartland, the society’s branches in Dumfries and Gibraltar will close later in the year. Meanwhile, having created 118 new jobs during 2016 as part of an ongoing £10m investment programme taking overall headcount past the 1,000 mark, it aims to create a further 130 new Andrew Haigh, roles this year.

chief exec, Newcastle Building Socety www.neechamber.co.uk

Commercial Profile

Brexit: Workers' Rights

l-r Guy Currey, Invest North East England director, Nic Marshall, ResQ chief executive, and Peter Rippingale, inward investment manager at Business Durham, at ResQ's Spectrum Business Park contact centre in Seaham

Inward investment

More than 6,000 new jobs will be created over the next three years by firms investing in the North East, new figures reveal.

The statistics unveiled by Invest North East England on behalf of the region’s seven local authorities and North East LEP, show 84 inward investments in the North East from April 2016 to March 2017 by companies creating a new base or expanding existing operations.

IT, automotive, manufacturing, energy and financial and professional business services were responsible for much of this investment, 64 of the investments were from foreign companies, and 20 were made by UK-owned firms previously from outside the region.

They include ResQ, the UK-owned contact centre business creating 1,200 jobs at its new base at Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, and Belgian-owned Smulders, based in North Tyneside, which is due to create 300 new jobs. Meanwhile, US-owned customer services outsourcing giant Convergys is creating 600 jobs at its centre at The Rocket in Newcastle’s Stephenson Quarter, and Nissan Sunderland continues to invest in its Wearside plant.

High spirits Newcastle International Airport has become a Corporate Partner of The Lakes Distillery.

The airport has signed a five-year corporate partnership that will see the award-winning distillery showcase its Best of British craft spirits and visitor attraction across the airport and its social media platforms. The distillery will help to showcase the range of destinations available from Newcastle as the airport grows its catchment area across Cumbria.

l-r Dean Ward, commercial manager at Newcastle International Airport and Nigel Mills, Lakes Distillery www.neechamber.co.uk

As we approach a year since the EU Referendum, we continue to receive an increasing volume of enquiries about the effect that the UK leaving the EU could have for European Economic Area (EEA) nationals, their families and employers.

Our business clients are concerned for both their current employees who are EEA nationals and also about the future impact of employing staff from within and also from outside the EU. Our private clients worry about their ability to remain living and working in the UK with their families.

With the continuing lack of a clear policy on the postBrexit rights of EEA nationals from the Government, we have spent the past year advising our business and private clients to ensure that their documentation is in the best shape possible to withstand the changes we anticipate may come so that businesses are able to continue to attract the best overseas candidates, particularly in the IT and healthcare sectors who are heavily reliant on skilled migrant workers, and individuals are able to continue their lives in the UK without disruption.

We have the region's only specialist Immigration team here at David Gray headed by Partner Bryony Rest who has over 20 years’ experience in immigration law.

Bryony said “We handle a vast number of enquiries from businesses wishing to support prospective employees with their work visa applications and from individual clients who are continuing their journey to achieving a definite Leave to Remain. We have a high success rate and have assisted clients with Tier 1, 2, 4 and 5 visas as well as assistance for those with families”

Web: www.davidgray.co.uk Email: Bryony.rest@davidgray.co.uk Tel: 0191 232 9547 Twitter: @DavidGrayLLP contact 17

News Harrods contract

Paragon grows

Vic Young in South Shields has secured a contract with upmarket store Harrods to provide a home delivery vehicle.

Vic Young has developed technology to design and build electric vehicles which enable onboard refrigeration units to stay cold without taking power from the van.

It allows the fridge to have battery life for between five and six days, still allowing the van to run for up to 110 miles.

Paragon Group has acquired DST’s UK Customer Communications business – the country’s largest producer of direct marketing print combining operations with its existing document and marketing services businesses in Sunderland and Rotherham to create a new division, Paragon Customer Communications.

The new division will have UK sales of more than £200m, and will employ some 1,800 staff across 10 sites.

Jeremy Walters, who is the former chief executive of DST UK, becomes CEO of the enlarged operation.

Paragon Sunderland continues to expand through strategic acquisition, capital investment and organic growth.

A CGI of Gentoo Homes’ new flagship Cottier Grange development in the Tyne Valley

Strong results for Gentoo Homes Gentoo Homes has announced an outstanding year for 2016/17. The residential development arm of Gentoo Group delivered 233 new homes across the North East and has reported an increased turnover of £44m, with an operating profit of 10% on its regional sales programme.

Of the 233 new homes delivered, 164 were built for sale and a further 64 homes of affordable tenure were completed. The housing firm currently has eight live sites across the North East and MD Colin Wood says: "Based on consumer demand the business is on track to increase property sales by 25% this year."

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Partners update I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H

It was a privilege to attend the official ceremony of the one millionth robotic lawn mower to come off the production line at Husqvarna in Newton Aycliffe.

My congratulations also to President’s Club members who were category winners at the recent Journal/Gazette North East Business Awards final, Egger UK which won the Apprenticeship award and O’Brien Waste Recycling Solutions which won the Services Award.

Congratulations also to Siemens (South Tyneside), PD Ports, Muckle LLP, Elddis Transport and Sabic UK, which made the final three in various categories.

Remember that Brewin Dolphin offers President’s Club members a free, no obligation financial planning review with one of its experts. Wealth management covers two things. One is financial planning, which establishes whether it’s a pension, inheritance tax or business protection that’s important to a person. The other underlying factor is investment management.

For information, contact gary.fawcett@brewin.co.uk

www.neechamber.co.uk

With Jennifer Rycroft, Chamber partnerships manager Our Partner Members: An exclusive group from a range of sectors, that work closely with us to maximise their impact on our region…

Last month, we welcomed Nigel Foster, director of strategy for Transport for the North, to our Partner Member lunch hosted by Bond Dickinson. Nigel spoke about his role and the strategic transport plan and what this means for the North East. This was also an opportunity for Partners and guests from our Transport Policy Forum to discuss reports recently published by the Chamber outlining public transport priorities for the region and where investment in transport infrastructure is needed.

We were delighted to have Sage Gateshead join us as a Chamber Partner Member in April. Sage Gateshead is an international home for music and musical discovery and one of the most significant arts venues outside London. We have now started work with Sage Gateshead to highlight the value of the region’s cultural sector for the wider business community. Meanwhile, we were joined by Sarah Stewart, CEO of NGI, and Joe Docherty, CEO of national education and skills charity NCG, for our May Partner Lunch hosted by Sage Gateshead where we had the opportunity to hear about NGI’s plans for The Great Exhibition of the North 2018. In May, we launched our work in partnership with Esh Group to increase business engagement with education through Building My Skills - a yearlong employability programme managed by Esh. For more information about Chamber Partners email Jennifer.Rycroft@neechamber.co.uk or visit www.neechamber.co.uk/about/partners Find Partners on Twitter: @neechamberjen #NEEChamberPartners

OUR PARTNERS

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Chamber Inspiring Females Conference 2017 Thursday 29 June 09:30 - 15:00 Sage UK, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE13 9AA

Price: Free to Chamber Members; non-members ÂŁ75+VAT To view the agenda and register visit neechamber.co.uk/events or email events@neechamber.co.uk

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www.neechamber.co.uk

News NEWS IN BRIEF

North East Business Award winners The Chamber was proud to work with The Journal and Evening Gazette to deliver the North East Business Awards at Hardwick Hall in Co Durham to mark achievement, encourage excellence and celebrate success of businesses in the North East.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive, said: "We send our huge congratulations to all the award winners.

"It gives us great pleasure to be part of the awards which are a true showcase of everything that is so superb about being based in the North East and play our part in the celebrations."

Of the 13 companies crowned winners in their award category, seven are Chamber members.

The award winners were: Company of the Year - Omega Plastics Small Businesses - Atomhawk Export – First Square Equipment Innovation - Transmission Dynamics Digital & Social - Media Works Newcomer of the Year Cleveland LGV Heart of the Community Middleton Grange Shopping Centre Manufacturing - Tharsus Group Apprenticeships – Egger UK Services - O'Brien Waste Management Lets Grow - Double Eleven Not For Profit Organisation of the Year – Daisy Chain Best Creative Company – Ithica Films www.neechamber.co.uk

STAGE MANAGED Newcastle City Hall audiences have topped 115,000 in its first year under the management of Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust, and it will have received nearly £1m in investment by September 2017. £1m is earmarked for improvements to the City Hall.

MOVING UP Bond Dickinson has been ranked 16th in the Acritas UK Law Firm Brand Index 2017, up two places from 18th last year. The report measures the performance of law firms against six key criteria .

GOING FOR GREEN Gisborough Hall has notched up another award for its green credentials. For the fourth year running, the luxury 4* hotel has won a Green Tourism Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, the world’s largest sustainable certification programme of its kind.

FINANCE OPTIONS KPMG has launched a new service to assist SMEs looking to raise up to £10m.

KPMG’s Enterprise Financing offering will complement the firm’s extensive debt advisory expertise and will support SMEs looking to raise new debt finance or refinance £2m - £10m.

Sevcon’s drive for jobs Growing electric vehicle innovator Sevcon is launching the first phase of an ambitious recruitment drive which will eventually see it boost staff by 200 over the next three years.

The company, which currently employs 80 skilled engineering staff in Gateshead, is seeking skilled engineers, new engineering technicians and test engineers.

CONTACT YOUR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP Essentials Portfolio - Julie Digman tel 07912 478 964 julie.digman@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberJules Teesside - Tom Warnock tel 07714 845 617 tom.warnock@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberTom Darlington and West Durham Susan Anderson tel 07736 799 727 susan.anderson@neechamber.co.uk Northumberland - Claire McCabe tel 0191 3746487 clare.mccabe@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberClare Medium Business - Andrew Heavisides tel 07912 478 961 andrew.heavisides@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberAndy Newcastle/Gateshead - Lynsey Fairless tel 07834 444 627 lynsey.fairless@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberLyns International - Les Dixon tel 07850 740 645 les.dixon@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @NEEChamberLes Medium Business: Tyne & Wear and Northumberland - Anthony Stringer tel 07739 162408 anthony.stringer@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @neechamberAnthS Sunderland and Durham - Julie Charlton tel 0798 025991 julie.charloton@neechamber.co.uk Twitter @neechamberjac1

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Suddenly small is the new big just waiting to grow.

www.quorumbp.co.uk/space

Commercial Property

l-r Anthony May of Capita with Lingfield Point estate manager Eddie Humphries

Capita commits to Lingfield Point Capita has signed a long-term lease to stay at Lingfield Point, Darlington for another eight years.

The business services company, which employs 450 staff on-site, will stay in its regional HQ at Lingfield Point until 2025.

The business park first welcomed the company in November 2015 and Capita now occupies a high-spec 340,000sqft site. It is one of the UK’s leading providers of business process outsourcing and integrated professional support services.

Prism break

Following a £1.5m refurbishment project, commercial property specialist Naylors has let a major new office space in Team Valley, Gateshead to software company PrismTech.

The Edge, formerly known as Talipot House, was acquired by The Roland Group in 2014 and Naylors’ building consultancy team was appointed to undertake a full refurbishment to create 17,000sqft of Grade A office space within the building’s original shell.

Naylors has now brokered the letting of the first floor of the building to PrismTech, which has had a presence on Team Valley for more than 25 years and is expanding within the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sector following its acquisition by ADLINK Technology Inc in December 2015. Naylors is also celebrating being named Office Agency of Year at the inaugural Insider Media North East Property Awards.

New concepts The northern workshop of Aspen Concepts Ltd, a nationwide joinery and fit-out specialist for retail and commercial projects, has moved into new 5,000sqft premises on Glover Industrial Estate, Washington.

Aspen specialises in the manufacture of joinery projects such as office reception desks, staircases, bars, restaurant servery counters and hotel or student accommodation furniture.

Top-class development site A prime development opportunity has come to the market in Sunderland city centre where the University of Sunderland is selling Forster Building on Chester Road.

The four-storey building built in 1975 is on the university’s City Campus and is opposite University Metro Station. It also incorporates a 1.4 acre site including a car park.

Naylors agency team is seeking offers for the freehold interest, which is available with immediate vacant possession. www.neechamber.co.uk

l-r Jonathan Sykes of Sykes Property Consultants, Mark Gibson of Sir Robert McAlpine and Simon Taylor of Naylors at St. Nicholas Building

McAlpine moves

Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd has signed a 10-year lease on an 8,095sqft suite within the St Nicholas Building, Newcastle.

Naylors is currently project managing a £1m capital investment project at the 64,175sqft building, which the firm says will make it one of the most attractive Grade A office spaces in the city centre. Sir Robert McAlpine is relocating 40 staff including estimators, buyers, ICT support and environmental managers. The new office also provides a centralised base for pre-construction teams who would otherwise use temporary accommodation on live construction sites. contact 23

Obituary

Brian Manning Chamber vice president Brian Manning sadly passed away in April after a short illness.

His great strength of character and sharp business acumen helped to transform Lumsden and Carroll into the ÂŁ280m Esh Group, one of the most phenomenal North East business success stories ever seen in the region.

Brian grew the company and also enabled his team to be part of that success.

He, together with the original owners and shareholders Michael Hogan, Jack Lumsden and Tony Carroll - created a motivational share ownership scheme, which sees many of the employees share in its fortunes.

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But that alone does not begin to do justice to the colossus that was Brian Manning. His personal, commercial and charitable work with young people, the homeless, ex-offenders and so many people, from every part of the region, was both inspirational and life changing.

The pioneering work he developed to raise aspirations and career opportunities for County Durham school pupils is still blazing a trail - every year this Building My Skills programme gives 60 schools and nearly 7,000 students first-hand knowledge of the world of work.

He leaves an incredible legacy and so many people owe him more than they will ever know.Â

www.neechamber.co.uk

Skills NEWS IN BRIEF

Building for the future The Chamber is challenging the region’s business community to step up its engagement with schools in conjunction with the Building My Skills programme founded by Chamber Partner Esh Group.

Building My Skills is a free year-long employability programme which provides students in year 9 and above with a rounded introduction to the world of work, imparting valuable employability skills through timetabled business engagement sessions.

In 2016/17, more than 40 Chamber members have delivered almost 25,000 hours of activity to more than 5,000 students in North East schools. The Chamber now aims to increase the number of learner hours committed by members to 30,000. To support the campaign email BuildingMySkills@neechamber.co.uk.

l-r James Lees, Dominic Lusardi, Kate Baucherel, Joanna Wake and Anna Smith with DigitalCity student director Natalie Woods

Digital dozens Dozens of business leaders and students met at the Women in Digital networking event organised by DigitalCity and held at the Nuthatch in Middlesbrough.

Influential speakers included Anna Smith from Tech North, Joanna Wake from Raw Digital, Kate Baucherel from Galia Digital, James Lees from Mabo Media, and Dominic Lusardi from Animmersion. www.neechamber.co.uk

SERGEANT'S SALUTE Veteran journalist and broadcaster John Sergeant presented talented students with prizes at Teesside University’s annual Journalism Awards.

The event, sponsored

by EDF Energy, was at Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima) and journalism students received awards based on exceptional work produced during the past academic year.

THE PROFESSIONALS Stokesley and Middlesbrough-based Bespoke Professional Development and Training (BePro), is now offering apprenticeships in professional qualifications as an approved provider on the Register of Apprenticeships Training Providers (RoATP), having passed a rigorous assessment based on quality of delivery and teaching standards.

MATCHMAKING The Business Clinic at Teesside University has announced it has now matched 70 students with 16 businesses to gain experience and come up with solutions to real world challenges. Students spent three months working on projects for firms including Harvey and Hugo, Cultures CIC, and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

Growing school of nursing Sunderland School of Nursing is to grow after receiving formal accreditation from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to work with three new partner Health Trusts.

The University of Sunderland launched its BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing Practice Programme in April 2016, in collaboration with Sunderland and South Tyneside Foundation Trusts.

The first cohort of students is progressing well. County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust; North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust; and Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust are now also on board.

Approval for wind industry training

Falck Safety Services UK is the first provider to be granted approval by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) for a wind industry-specific course.

Falck, which currently has 35 training centres across the world, has gained accreditation from ECITB for its Hub Rescue course.

Designed for emergency rescue and escape training from wind turbines, the Hub Rescue training is a one-day course which will be delivered from Falck’s Teesside centre using its state-of-the-art 23.7m wind tower. Falck was also approved

by ECITB for seven additional training courses. contact 25

Export

Right foot forward l-r AIS Technical business development manager Mark Patterson with Man Xuan Le

North Tyneside to Vietnam

l-r Chris Peacock of PMG, Steve Cook of Podfo, Scott Rader of Stratasys, James Ramsbotham of the Chamber, Andrew Hodgson of NELEP

Peacocks Medical Group, supplier of medical services and equipment from its base in Newcastle since 1903, is taking its innovative Podfo 3D printed insoles to the rest of the world.

The group has announced a substantial American investment in its revolutionary custom 3D-printed foot insoles business Podfo from a division of Minneapolis-based Stratasys, one of the world’s principal 3D printing companies.

Owner Chris Peacock says: “Our innovation team was tasked to create

Just the tonic Enterprising business students from New College Durham have been on a trade mission to Budapest to promote local gin.

Four students from the Foundation Degree in Business and Management delivered a sales pitch for Durham Gin at a trade fair in Budapest. The students Eugenia Blemings, David Lethers, Harris Cameron and Grant Mitchell - worked in partnership with parent company Durham Distilleries to research the market and create their sales pitch.

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a truly dynamic 3D-printed insole and the result is Podfo. I’m proud their pioneering work has been recognised and we’re excited about the global opportunities this partnership will create.”

Foot orthotics is a large and growing market, its insole segment predicted to reach $3.5bn by 2020. Aided by an additive manufacturing technique known as Laser Sintering, Podfo can now produce comfortable, lightweight thin orthoses customised to each patient.

Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS) has signed a distribution deal with Black Cat Technical Insulation - one of Vietnam’s leading insulation providers after the company’s MD, Man Xuan Le, attended a course at AIS Training’s industrial training village in North Tyneside.

Xuan Le was studying at AIS Training for an oil and gas insulation qualification when he recognised an opportunity to sell AIS Technical’s awardwinning technical insulation and passive fire protection products in Vietnam and the wider IndoChina region. Black Cat, which employs around 200 people in Vietnam, is a key supplier to the Indo-China oil and gas and industrial sectors.

In print Co Durham-based Martel Instruments has launched a new smart loT (Internet of Things) enabled compact printer in the US and across Europe.

The VIDA 4.0 will significantly enhance healthcare, automotive, analytical, monitoring and measurement equipment products.

Martel MD Keith Walker says: "We have pushed our boundaries to create a new device that not only gives the power of print to an existing device but will also provide additional features without the need for the OEM to change their product and incur additional development costs." www.neechamber.co.uk

WIN bmi regional flights to Europe

Saddling up A Co Durham grandfather who went into business producing balance bikes after struggling to find a suitable model for his grandson is now exporting his own unique lightweight range of fold-up, balance and pedal cycles.

Joe Mulcahy, director of Pedibal 3 in One Bikes, is opening up new markets across the world supported by the Department of International Trade North East.

Working from his Chester-le-Street home, Mulcahy, 70, manufactures the bikes in China and distributes them from Washington.

Having established markets in Denmark, Norway, France and Holland, the business is now producing a range of patented cycles developed by Mulcahy and his son Garry.

Each model has a lightweight aluminium frame and converts from balance to a traditional pedal set-up. “We are looking to get into the campus market and supply business parks,” says Mulcahy. “The opportunities for these bikes are limitless."

Sage profits jump Newcastle-headquartered global tech leader Sage Group has reported a strong set of financials for the first half of the latest financial year.

Revealing pre-tax profits of £180m, the multinational software company has eclipsed the £128m it reported for the same period last year by 41%. Sage’s revenue is also up on H1 16, with figures increasing from £684m last year to £840m, a 23% rise. “These are positive results in line with market expectations,” says CEO Stephen Kelly. Sage is now focused on growing through new customer acquisition. www.neechamber.co.uk

bmi regional is offering one lucky winner a pair of return tickets to Stavanger or Brussels from Newcastle International Airport. bmi regional is one of the UK’s last remaining full-service shorthaul airlines, offering a smooth, personal, expert service. Unlike other airlines, bmi regional’s fares are inclusive of 23kg of hold luggage, allocated seating and in-flight drinks and snacks.

A business-focused carrier, bmi regional understands the need for reliable, professional and speedy connections, which is why it offers the convenience of 30-minute check-ins and has partnerships with quality brands including Sixt hire car, Booking. com and Virgin Trains to make journeys as simple as possible.

Onboard, customers enjoy a premium flight experience, bmi regional’s 18-strong all-jet Embraer fleet offering 31” seat pitch and 1:2 leather seating, so you can relax with your complimentary drink and snack or catch up on work without feeling restricted.

With popular twice-daily flights to Brussels Monday-Friday, and a daily flight on Sunday, bmi regional connects businesses in the North East to the heart of Europe, providing an important air link for key service industries. Meanwhile, its daily flight (except Saturdays) to Stavanger in Norway is vital for the North Sea oil industry, as well as offering a great link for travel to the Fjords.

To enter the competition to win two tickets, fill in the form at: www.neechamber.co.uk/bmicompetition

For more information or to book a flight with bmi regional, tel 0330 333 7998 or go to: www.flybmi.com Terms and conditions: 1. This is a competition to win a pair of return tickets with bmi regional from Newcastle Airport to either Stavanger or Brussels 2. To enter, must complete the online form and agree to the competition rules 3. To be eligible, entrants must be: a) 18 years or older b) In possession of a valid passport c) An EU resident d) Be able to travel without any restrictions 4. Travel must be completed by December 31, 2017 5. The winners may choose their date of travel, subject to availability 6. The prize will only consist of a return ticket from Newcastle Airport to Stavanger or Brussels, inclusive of taxes. No other costs or prizes will be provided 7. The competition closes at 10pm (UK time) on Friday July 1, 2017 8. The winner(s) will be drawn and notified by Monday July 4, 2017 9. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into about the competition 11. Entrants agree that their email address can be entered into the bmi regional database

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Double Take: Be our guest

Victor Castro-Quiroga Food & beverage manager Close House

Matthew Clarkson General manager Caffé Vivo

How long have you been in the job?

I've been back at Close House almost a year having worked in the hotel in 2012-14. I've been working in hospitality since 1996 having started out with Terry Laybourne's Bistro 21 while studying law and social sciences at university.

How long have you been in the job?

I've been at Caffé Vivo since it opened nine years ago having worked my way up from McDonalds and event hospitality.

What do you love about your job?

Good hosts make a dining experience memorable and I love being part of creating a whole experience from the moment you arrive.

What are the most challenging aspects?

Close House is many things and matching what we do in the bar and restaurant to what people experience out on the golf course is always the biggest challenge. The pace of each day can vary a huge amount as we go from breakfast for residents to lunch for big golf days, to afternoon tea and on to dinner. We have to adapt what we do for each type of guest and getting that right can be challenging too.

What's the highlight of your career so far?

It's just around the corner - the British Masters golf event here in September. It will be going right to the top of my CV and is sure to be a huge sporting event for the North East with some of the best golfers in the world here.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current job?

I might have done something with my degree - but I haven't thought about being outside the hospitality industry since I arrived here from Chile in the 90s.

How do you spend your ideal day off?

I love to get out on my bike and cycle around Durham - I know the roads better than my wife and she grew up there!

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What do you love about your job?

Building relationships with our regular guests.

Being at Vivo nearly a decade, you get to know a lot of people and make a lot of friends. You can't beat the buzz of a busy service, and getting to learn about Italian culture and how important food and wine is to that is fantastic.

What are the most challenging aspects?

Committing all the culture and knowledge to memory is tough when you start out particularly when you're working with very good wine! A busy pre-theatre service, getting three courses and drinks out in an hour, has its own unique challenges as well.

What's the highlight of your career so far?

Working for Terry Laybourne and managing one of his restaurants is a definite highlight and we've had so many great experiences, from travelling to Italy to working with amazing chefs.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current job?

I've always loved animals and worked on a game reserve in South Africa for a little while so I may have gone into something like that.

Apart from that, I'd probably be working in food and may have ended up with my own little café or bistro.

How do you spend your ideal day off?

I play a little bit of golf now and again, and love going out for coffee or having a barbecue in the garden with my wife Nina and daughter Matilda. www.neechamber.co.uk

Policy

Cast your vote Chamber director of policy Ross Smith reflects on the forthcoming general election

Chamber director of policy Ross Smith

I’m willing to bet that there were a fair few people in the North East who shared Brenda from Bristol’s view when they heard a General Election is on the way.

“Not another one!” is an understandable reaction. We regularly reiterate the need for certainty to help our businesses plan for the future, so several more weeks of political turmoil hardly seems conducive to this.

What we must hope is that this election leads to more stability in the longer term.

Our country is facing up to some big challenges in the coming years, not least Brexit. There also some vital decisions to be taken on issues such as infrastructure, energy and skills gaps.

We’re an apolitical organisation. We don’t back any one party over any other. What we want to see from this election is a positive outcome for North East businesses.

This means a Government that is willing and able to secure a positive outcome from the Brexit negotiations. This is an outcome that

"What we hope is that this election leads to more stability in the longer term ..."

www.neechamber.co.uk

ensures our exporters continue to enjoy frictionless access to our biggest markets in Europe and allows our firms to compete for the best global talent.

We also need a Government that is genuinely committed to enabling economic growth in all regions. For too long policies that are designed to solve problems in one part of the country leave our region at a disadvantage. The ultimate result of this is to limit the North East’s contribution to UK Plc. In the run-up to the election, we’ll be making these points to the candidates standing in our region. Regardless of political affiliation, our employers need representatives who are willing to tackle the issues that hinder job creation and growth.

We’ll also be encouraging our members to get involved in the debates that matter to them. Politicians need to hear what our businesses and our region could achieve given the right conditions.

We’ve already seen insults, slanging matches and petty squabbles in the national media. We must do what we can to get the big issues back on the agenda before June 8.

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Success

Lotta bottle A multi-million-pound business which manufactures furniture from recycled plastic milk bottles is blazing a colourful trail, discovers Kay Wilson

Marmax MD Jackie Robshaw and colleagues on the shop floor

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Marmax may not be a household name, but if you haven’t used its innovative goods, you will almost certainly have seen them in use in school playgrounds, university campuses, farm shops, even dog agility classes.

MD Jackie Robshaw started Marmax 14 years ago with the innovative idea of making boxes to store potatoes from recycled plastic, rather than the traditional wooden ones which splintered and couldn’t be washed or re-used.

“We realised there were massive benefits for farmers to be able to reuse the boxes and also for them to be able to be displayed on a shop floor professionally in the same container in which they had been picked,” says Robshaw.

“The recycled plastic boxes also needed no varnishing, saving time and money.”

From this original idea, customers started to ask for other products. After potato boxes came picnic benches, then customers asked if it were possible to have them in different colours to the standard brown used for the original potato boxes.

The company experimented, benches were made in bright blue, red, green and yellow, and business doubled in a year. The main customers for these colourful seats were primary schools, initially in the Co Durham area.

They have been so successful they are now in some of the country’s leading tourist attractions including London Zoo. The company was commissioned to make an elephant weighing platform for Whipsnade Zoo and a bespoke seat called for Cadbury’s World.

For the Angling Trust, Marmax manufactures fishing platforms and walkways which are less costly than wooden structures. The National Trust, Wildlife Trusts and Vindolanda Roman fort in Northumberland also have Marmax furniture.

“We have grown through word of mouth and the flexibility of our product,” says Robshaw. “One of our biggest clients is the Dogs Trust. They saw us at an exhibition at a stage we only produced seating.

They asked if we could make agility equipment to help dogs who are in their care stay fit. As a result, we now produce steps, posts and all types of obstacles for dogs. We’ve also developed dog paddling pools, with tough panels which won’t be torn by claws, so they can stay cool in summer."

Starting with four employees, the company has grown to employ 22 permanent members of staff and four seasonal staff.

The environmental benefit of using recycled products is at the heart of what the company does.

Every product has a guarantee setting out how many cartons were used to produce it, with 2,000 recycled for the most popular product, the picnic benches.

One project of which Jackie Robshaw is particularly proud is for Virgin Airlines. Marmax produced benches for the firm’s UK headquarters from recycled earphone plastic bags used on its planes.

Diversification has continued in recent years with a new product, a quadrant seat, for city life. The team have also been involved in supporting Villa Real School in Co Durham for pupils with special www.neechamber.co.uk

educational needs. The pupils were invited to help design their own playground which includes equipment at the right height for wheelchairs and items which encourage them to play together, including a table tennis table. Marmax also designed and created raised soil beds so vegetables could be grown at the school and easily planted and harvested.

Marmax started with one unit on Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate and now has eight with 60 pallets of goods going out from the factory every day.

“We have provided some products to areas outside England such as Dublin Zoo and schools and hotels in Jersey but have started to explore exporting as a route to expansion,” says Robshaw.

“We are starting with a distributor in Holland and targeting dog parks as they are extremely popular over there. As our products are usually sold fully formed we needed to work out how to part-build our consignments and ship them successfully.

“Our new production manager, Paul King, who previously worked for Nissan, has brought with him www.neechamber.co.uk

expertise about Lean Management and QCD which has brought us new opportunities. I also recently attended a seminar on trading with Scandinavian countries run by the Chamber.”

Marmax’s achievements have been recognised globally including being awarded a Green World Award in 2016 for new and recycled products.

Judged in South Korea, the award was for its sustainable and environmental work which has saved millions of cartons from landfill sites since it began. It has also been a Green World Ambassador since 2015 and a finalist at the Plastic Industry Awards for best recycled product two years running.

The company, part of the 125-year-old Samuel Grant Group, also supports County Durham Schools Environmental Awards and gives the winner a picnic bench. The future, it seems, is green.

“We have started to explore exporting as a route to expansion”

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We’d love to help

/SpireWashington Picktree Lane, Rickleton, Tyne and Wear, NE38 9JZ

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www.neechamber.co.uk

Your health is our number one priority Spire Washington Hospital offers comprehensive private hospital services that are right on your doorstep, welcoming patients from across the region and further afield. Our hospital is situated in a quiet residential area with extensive grounds and free car parking.

At Spire Washington Hospital you can access our first class services at a time to suit you. We cover a wide range of services including diagnostic imaging such as X-Ray, MRI, Ultrasound and CT. We also perform major operations like hip and knee replacements as well as spinal and weight loss surgery and other general surgical treatments.

Paying for your treatment?

We believe in looking after people – your health is our number one priority.

We offer fast, effective and affordable treatment in a relaxing setting. Every patient receives a plan of individualised treatment options and our focus is on delivering excellent patient care.

Speak to our friendly customer service team for more information.

Covered with medical insurance?

You can access our services using your private medical insurance; all you need is a referral from your GP and we can make an appointment at a time that suits you.

www.neechamber.co.uk

If you don’t have private medical insurance but would like to enjoy all of the benefits that Spire Washington Hospital offers, we have teamed up with April UK to launch inSpire – an innovative medical insurance plan.

For more information and your free quote, please visit

www.april-uk.com or call 07540 111 139

You can also access our services under the NHS. Please speak to your GP for more information.

Meet our consultants Free 10 minute appointments at our Roadshows across the North East. Contact us on the number below to book your free appointment.

For more information or to make an appointment please contact us on

0191 448 9513 info@spirewashington.com www.spirewashington.com

contact 33

Profile

It all adds up After 50 years as a chartered accountant, Tony Glenton knows a thing or two about business, as Liz Hands discovers…

Tony Glenton is one of life’s gentlemen. He makes sure my glass of water is topped up on the hottest day of the year so far, offers our photographer biscuits for the journey on to his next job and asks if I need to use the facilities before I leave. He also wears his suit as his mother taught him - top button only fastened.

At the helm of accountancy and wealth management firm Ryecroft Glenton, he also has a checklist of some of the best business advice I’ve heard: “Surround yourself with good people, whose commitment matches your own and who, hopefully, are cleverer than you," he says. "Always encourage; avoid destructive criticism. Take great interest in your clients’ affairs and make friends with them in a professional manner.

“Be available and reactive at all times.

Share knowledge and experience with your work colleagues, encourage them and help them to fulfil their ambitions.

“Lead by example. Consult widely. Make clear, well-explained decisions. Never forget your clients rely on you to get it right first time. Keep up to date and go the extra mile to ensure high standards of service.

Take holidays at the same time as ensuring your clients know who to speak to or how to contact you. Above all, enjoy your work, your colleagues and your clients."

It is a formula which seems to have worked. “Looking back over 50 years in public practice, there’s never been a bad day at the office,” he says, “though some

34 contact

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have been better than others.” At 74, he is now taking the odd day out of the office in a prolonged succession plan to hand over to younger partners, including his son Peter.

He is the third generation of Glentons to practise in Newcastle, his grandfather Arthur Glenton establishing Ryecroft Glenton with his cousin Wilton Ryecroft in 1901. Glenton joined as a partner in 1967, aged 23, and has helped it to become one of the leading independent accountancy and business advice practices in the region. Despite a number of approaches, the firm remains resolutely independent, having grown from a staff of five when Glenton began to more than 100 today.

“Our ethos is long-term relationships,” he says. “I’m still acting for the same people we acted for 50 years ago, albeit in many cases for the next generation. Our aim is to be indispensable in all respects. We work hard to retain client loyalty.” The firm also enjoys impressive staff loyalty, with many of the team now in their third decade here. “When I celebrated 50 years, I gave everyone a bottle of champagne and a £50 note,” he says. “It was the least I could do.”

Age is no barrier to making partner, he says. “People tend to think you don’t know enough until you hit your late 30s or early 40s, but that’s not always the case. There’s nothing like being thrown in the deep end.”

His team now faces the task of helping clients with what he calls "the biggest disruption in small business accounting in my 50 years” - Making Tax Digital, which will require all individuals and businesses to manage their tax affairs online, with quarterly reports. “We expect these changes over the next five years to be profound and disruptive,” he says. “Digital accounting is

❝Business likes stability, uncertainty saps confidence ❞ www.neechamber.co.uk

fine for young folk, but not for 75-year-old farmers from Alwinton or garage owners in the Coquet Valley.”

He has seen plenty of policy decisions come and go, in business and the military.

A Territorial for more than 30 years, he commanded 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment, Royal Artillery (Volunteers), chaired the North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and served as Honorary Colonel of his regiment. He has also represented his county, country, and the Army as a marksman.

He was a director and chairman of Newcastle Building Society and Port of Tyne Authority for several years, and was appointed CBE in 2000. He has served as Vice Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland and been a Deputy Lieutenant of the county for 26 years, also chairing the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Families Association (SSAFA) in Northumberland. He chairs four other local charities, plus Newcastle Cathedral Council, so it is with broad knowledge that he would offer advice to the next occupant of Number 10. “Business likes stability, uncertainty saps confidence,” he says. "I think it will take 10 years before we know if Brexit was a good idea, but business can deal with anything as long as it is certain. Tax is increasingly complex; the Government opens one door and then says it’s a loophole and shuts it. If only they could decide what they want and stick to it.”

He would urge the next chancellor to simplify tax for business and change capital gains tax rules. “A clever chancellor would have a moratorium on capital gains for a year and drop it to 10%. At the moment, you don’t pay gains if you die with an asset; a sensible chancellor would realise that and make it easier to realise the gains. He would make a fortune in tax by unlocking capital gains at a cost people would be prepared to pay.”

And with that, he is back to the day job, advising clients from leading city executives to Northumberland farmers through their business lives. Some will retire soon too, some will continue; all will appreciate his advice long after Tony Glenton has left his desk for a retirement which is well earned. contact 35

Profile

How a fascination for cars took an unexpected turn into a career Liz Hands meets Michelle Caveney, head of business at Lloyd Newcastle BMW and MINI, to find out what it takes to take a car retailer so far it is named best in the nation As a little girl, Michelle Caveney would be the one hanging out of the car window on family trips, trying to catch a glimpse of all the makes and models of the vehicles driving past.

So, when the chance to work for BMW came up, Caveney, now head of business at Lloyd Newcastle BMW and MINI, grabbed it.

Growing up in Cheshire, Caveney’s original ambition was go to university to study law. But, she says it wasn’t to be. “I’m the eldest of three and the pressure was on to go out and get a job and contribute to the family. It was that kind of era. I was a studious person and, in an ideal world, I would have gone to university, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

As a schoolgirl, she was fascinated by cars, but never thought that she would work with them. “My first job at 16 was as a clerk at NatWest bank, which my mum thought was the best job in the world. They’d come to the school and you were encouraged to get involved as one of the bright ones. I hated it.”

Caveney went on to work in the marketing department of a huge aluminium plant before making the move to the car industry, taking an administrative role at Benham BMW in Liverpool and, whilst she was overqualified for the role, she knew she had made the right career move. “Going in, there was that wow factor and finding out that my job involved being exposed to all of these different models, colours and specifications, I found it massively interesting.”

She also went on to work at Porsche for a couple of years, before realising that the opportunities for career 36 contact

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contact 37

Profile

The state-of-the-art showroom at Lloyd BMW Newcastle

progression at BMW were greater. She has worked her way through just about every role, starting as a sales administrator, moving into the service department, onto reception, and then in general sales, new car sales and corporate sales before becoming head of business. Joining family-owned Cumbria-headquartered Lloyd Motor Group, she moved from Lloyd’s BMW and MINI retailer in Colne, Lancashire, coming to Newcastle to head up the operation on Barrack Road three years ago.

In her first full year in the city, Lloyd achieved BMW Retailer of the Year and Caveney was named Head of Business of the Year; not a bad way to start a new posting.

The accolades were the result of hard work and some strategic change. “The business has been here for a long time,” she says. “But, like anything, the market changes, customer expectations are different and you have to move on. We changed team structures, some staff, some managers, and we put the focus back onto coming to see us because this is a nice place to be. It’s not about having to sell something to somebody every time.

“When people make such a big purchase, or when they’ve spent such a lot of money on a car and they are bringing it to us to be looked after, it’s important they feel valued.”

While no retail business can get by without targets, Caveney increased staff numbers by 20%, from 100 to 120, to make sure everybody had time to devote to customers, rather than feeling constantly under pressure.

Lloyd Newcastle has now had growth in every part of the business, including customer satisfaction. “The perception of a car salesperson has never been brilliant,” says Caveney. “It’s always been seen as an industry that’s fairly cut-throat, but it’s not like that at all. Like any retail business, you have to be good at what you do because you can 38 contact

get exactly the same thing not very far away. The thing that makes you stand out is how you treat somebody. People buy from people. It’s an old saying, but it’s true.”

Caveney is the first to admit that, historically, motor retailers may not have got everything spot on. “But confidence has grown in us that we’re able to handle things differently than in the past,” she says. “We’ve been able to turn customers into advocates for us.”

Like every retailer, the car industry was hit by recession as people, tightening their belts, put off or decided against a big purchase. But, with nononsense pragmatism, Caveney says: “Everybody felt the recession, but you couldn’t come to work every day presuming everything is going to be doom and gloom. You had to think of ways of getting different messages out there, focus on a different model, or affordable payments or a different way of being able to go to market. You couldn’t just sit back and wait for it to pass.”

Lloyd Newcastle is also heavily involved in this year's NE1 Newcastle Motor Show on July 8 and 9, and will be displaying models including the BMW i8 hybrid sports car during the weekend, which brings super and vintage cars to city centre streets.

Outside work, Caveney, who is married with three children, can be found walking the countryside around her home in Northumberland with the family dog.

Music is also a huge part of her life. “I love an eclectic mix of music,” she says. “I have a 40-minute drive, so it’s a good chance to listen to something fabulous. I’m a great one for a shuffle and BMW have brought out an online entertainment option which I’m blown away by. We live, work and breathe in our cars so having clever tools at hand is vital."

How things have changed since Caveney first gazed out of the window at vehicles flashing by, and with the great strides in motor vehicle technology, her own fascination has only grown stronger.

The legal profession's loss, it seems, is the motor industry's gain.

❝The thing that makes you stand out is how you treat people ❞ www.neechamber.co.uk

Exchange Experience Exchange Ideas Exchange Contacts Exchange Success To find out more about the benefits of being a chamber member visit www.neechamber.co.uk

Commercial Profile

30 years and still growing United Carlton celebrates three decades of success with further expansion Managed print specialist United Carlton – a leading national name in cutting-edge print solutions - is celebrating 30 years in business with continued growth throughout the UK. The Gateshead-headquartered business, now one of the longest-established independent Managed Print Solutions (MPS) suppliers in the UK, has helped to streamline the print activities of more than 4,000 organisations across the country, supplying the latest equipment and bespoke solutions to reduce costs and improve productivity across multiple sectors.

The company specialises in providing organisations with multi-functional printers, copying machines and document solutions, audio-visual technologies including inter-active touchscreens, video walls, 24/7 digital signage products and the latest visitor management solutions.

As well as sizeable public sector contracts, the company works with more than a third of the North East’s top 200 companies, including software leader Sage, which has been a valued client since 1999.

In March 2017, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire Councils, extended long-standing contracts with United Carlton, taking their partnership to an unprecedented 15 years.

These long-standing contracts, in addition to work with nationwide retail enterprises including Greggs and furniture retailer SCS, are testimony to United Carlton’s service and innovation.

United Carlton’s two main trading partners over the last 30 years are Sharp and Toshiba, Sharp recognising the company as its largest UK reseller of managed print services, and it has won numerous awards over the years, including Company of the Year in the North East Business Awards.

The company places a high value on ensuring clients have the best solutions for their requirements, along with a complete after-sales service and support package.

It attributes its success in part to its focus on providing responsive service and dedicated account management.

MD John Watson says: “The success of our company is down to the quality of the people we employ and their loyalty and dedication to ensuring our clients’ needs are put first. The fact that we are celebrating our 30th anniversary is a great tribute to them, as well as our loyal clients, without whom the enterprise would 40 contact

United Carlton directors (L-R) John Watson, Mark Bryce, John Ellis, Warren Colby, Michael Nelson and Paul Dawson

not be possible. It’s very satisfying to have reached this milestone.”

Owned and run by a six-man board of directors with offices in Gateshead, the North West and North Yorksire, the company is expected to hit ambitious growth targets during 2017 and achieve a group turnover of £17m.

It is also a high-profile supporter of the community in the North East, including as a sponsor of the hugely successful British Basketball League side Newcastle Eagles since 2009, a corporate sponsor and founder member of Close House golf club, and a supporter of Durham County Cricket Club, The Alan Shearer Foundation, The Foundation of Light and The Percy Hedley Trust.

Contact us to see how we can help your business become more efficient. Telephone: 0845 456 0022, email enquiries@united-carlton.co.uk www.neechamber.co.uk

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contact 41

Commercial Profile

Are you an SME based in County Durham looking to achieve energy efficiency savings?

The Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) has been developed to help County Durham SMEs achieve financial savings through energy efficiency.

BEEP offers an independent service with fully funded audits and advice to all participants. The Project was launched in late 2016 with a dedicated website and social media support available in June 2017. The BEEP website provides free to access downloadable tools, case studies and signposting to other supportive services.

In partnership with Business Durham, FSB, The North East Chamber of Commerce, and Northern Powergrid the Project offers any compliant SME a free in-depth energy audit delivered by BEEPs team of experts alongside the use of monitoring equipment to uncover energy wasted within an SMEs. The audits are an essential tool helping the BEEP team to identify and prioritise all avenues where financial savings can be made through energy efficiency improvements.

County Durham SMEs who would like support can apply for a BEEP grant which provides a finance option to reduce the cost and therefore the payback period of any energy efficiency installation.*.The Project is only available to SMEs within County Durham and has been financially supported through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Durham County Council, and was the first project in the North East to receive funding through the EUs new Low Carbon Priority.

If you would like more information or you would like your name added to our already growing list of interested businesses please contact the BEEP Team at beep@durham.gov.uk *terms and conditions apply

If you would like any more information or you would like your name added to our already growing list of interested businesses please contact BEEP Manager Calum Baker at beep@durham.gov.uk 42 contact

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Focus

Special focus: manufacturing and engineering This month we focus on the manufacturing expertise of the North East, the success stories of large and small firms from across our region, and the training providers and educators supplying the next generation of the region’s engineering workforce

4,070 manufacturing businesses

9.8%

of the region’s total workforce is employed in manufacturing – 117,000 people

Pharmaceuticals, mechanical equipment and metals – largest manufacturing sectors

*Figures from EEF’s Regional manufacturing Outlook July 2016

www.neechamber.co.uk

contact 43

Commercial Profile

Who trains the robots?

Northern Skills Group’s Andy Buckworth looks at why training is crucial to the new robotic era of industry Robotics is set to change the nature of work in this country. While the headlines worry about job losses, there is another side to the story.

Across a wide variety Phillip Dawson Technical Trainer at of sectors – including Northern Skills Group and Tara Baker manufacturing, retailing Business Development and Marketing at KUKA Robotics and engineering – robots are being put to use in creating efficiencies and increasing quality. In fact the flourishing UK automotive industry uses 734 robots per 10,000 employees.

But companies need a new skilled workforce to make this work.

We need engineers and operators – the people who can program and train these robots to reach greater efficiencies – to lead this new future.

At Middlesbrough College’s STEM Centre we’re using the latest industrial robots to train new and existing employees for businesses across the North East and further afield.

Using Agilus robots from worldwide brand KUKA, our expert team is supporting learners as they get to grips with programming the machines for uses across warehousing, logistics and production lines, among others.

Using sophisticated software, learners are immersed in the

possibilities these robots present, and accrue the skills to put them to work.

We start them off covering important safety information before taking them through the robot’s structure and its programming.

Training in industrial robotics is tricky – not least because most employers operate their technology around the clock, leaving little down-time for learners to get their hands on them.

And tailoring the robot to closely match each employers’ specific needs is time consuming. That’s why a dedicated training environment is necessary.

Automotive parts manufacturer ElringKlinger is just one firm to benefit from Northern Skills Group’s robotics training.

Alex Smith, automation engineer at the firm, said: “The KUKA Robotics course that the team has completed with Northern Skills Group will have multiple and long-term benefits for our supply chain.

“Having staff in-house skilled in programming and operating robots is crucial in ensuring the robots’ potential is maximised by being fully utilised and as a result, you receive the biggest return on investment. *Northern Skills Group, Middlesbrough College’s apprenticeship and training company trains new and existing employees for businesses across the North East using the latest industrial robots in its £20m STEM Centre.

Duo put the icing on the cake with apprenticeship success Two young apprentices are building their way to careers with a Northumberland firm that makes edible cake decorations.

Demi Singer and Tiffany Skinner with Demi Singer Tiffany Skinner, both 19, from Ashington, recently secured full time job contracts with Sugarfayre – a producer of edible cake decorations.

Both were supported by apprenticeships provider Northern Skills Group as they learned on-the-job, working on Sugarfayre’s busy production line which creates products sold both in the UK and internationally.

Demi and Tiffany excelled in the Level 2 Performing Manufacturing Operations apprenticeship, which takes 14 months to complete.

Michael Hill, the Northern Skills Group assessor who supported both through the programme, said: “Demi and Tiffany both did extremely well in completing the programme, which has now afforded them full time contracts.

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“This apprenticeship is a great starting point for a career in production manufacturing.”

For some time the firm has used apprenticeships to train new and existing staff.

Helen Borthwick, head of HR said: “We support all of our staff with training opportunities, and apprenticeships in particular are a fantastic way for people to gain skills while working on the job.

“Northern Skills Group staff have been excellent in ensuring our trainees get maximum value from the apprenticeships – including skills, knowledge and confidence that will set them up for future progression within the company.”

Call Northern Skills Group on 03453 40 40 40 or email info@northernskills.co.uk to find out how we can support your organisation’s training needs www.neechamber.co.uk

Focus

l-r Haskel’s Dave Angus and Mark Adams at the new test cell

Global reach

Partnering up The education division of AIS (AIS Connect) and East Durham College are teaming up to create hundreds of new world-class apprenticeships.

The partnership between industrial training specialist AIS and East Durham College will initially focus on four key apprenticeship areas - welding, fabrication, engineering and technical support - with a view to extending the programme in the future.

Apprentices will benefit from the industry skills training expertise of AIS, which trains more than 25,000 commercial delegates every year, and the academic expertise of East Durham College. They will be based at AIS’s state-of-the-art 20-acre industrial training village, where facilities mirror real industrial environments and scenarios.

For the first time, apprentices will also have access to innovative tools such as virtual reality and online career planning through AIS’s existing commercial services.

Kate Lovelock, head of partnerships and strategic development at AIS, says: “This agreement represents a truly innovative partnership which gives the learner an outstanding mix of both education and commercial expertise."

Big impression Furniture manufacturer Godfrey Syrett has made a big impression at the UK’s leading design festival in London.

Godfrey Syrett, which was established in 1947, exhibited its latest innovative designs at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week - widely considered one of the most important design hubs in the world.

The stand, themed around ‘Rethink Your Workspace’ focused on modern workspaces from the firm’s Flexible Working collection which incorporates muted fabrics, integrated electrics and wooden frames on soft seating. Among the items on display was the next generation of Zip, the company’s modular furniture solution. www.neechamber.co.uk

Wearside-based manufacturer Haskel has invested £100,000 in developing a new high-pressure test facility.

A manufacturer of pneumaticdriven pumps, gas boosters and air-pressure amplifiers for international customers including BAE Systems and Eaton, Haskel has engineered and built the state-of-the-art facility to further improve safety and deliver productivity. Built with clear Lexan polycarbonate, the room is equipped with an external control console enabling an extensive range of proof and performance high-pressure tests, up to 60,000 PSI, to be carried out and recorded safely and efficiently.

All aboard The bridge deck of Sunderland’s New Wear Crossing has been successfully launched across the river. The operation to manoeuvre the 300m, 4,750-tonne concrete and steel deck from the south side of the River Wear to the north side took a total of 20 hours.

Once completed the bridge will connect Pallion to the south and Castletown to the north. contact 45

Focus Teamwork

Major showcase Manufacturing and Engineering North East takes place for the third time at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on July 5 and 6, with the region’s biggest manufacturers, employers and educators taking part over the two-day event.

The showcase, which combines an exhibition, conference and workshops, aims to offer engineers and manufacturers the chance to learn about and review the latest industry standards and developments.

Keynote speakers will include Matthew Gilbert, professor at the Centre for Advanced Additive Manufacturing at Sheffield University; Michael Mitten, CEO of Houghton International; and John Mills, chairman of JML Group. There will also be presentations from Hitachi Rail, Bosch Rexroth, Siemens and several more companies. The arena floor will feature exhibitors from across the region, while a programme of workshops will cover everything from The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Getting Your IPRs Working For You, to marketing and networking.

Billingham-based NYMAS is becoming more efficient and improving its design processes thanks to a partnership with Teesside University.

The firm, which manufactures bathroom and toilet equipment for elderly and disabled people for customers including care homes, hospitals and the hospitality industry, has teamed up with Innovate Tees Valley, a major business innovation initiative.

NYMAS is working with the university’s Schools of Science & Engineering and Design, Culture & the Arts on two Knowledge Exchange Internships (KEIs) which will research ways in which NYMAS can streamline its systems and processes and develop new product designs.

l-r Ruben Pinedo Cuenca, Thanos Klonis, Lawrence Stratton and Peter Reid of NYMAS

Creating Outstanding Futures in Engineering and Manufacturing Why choose EDC: Expert staff with up to date knowledge, skills and experience Professional recruitment service structured around your business needs Outstanding practical training facilities Flexible delivery to suit your business

Our priority is to provide capable and committed apprentices who can help to drive your business forward.

We offer: Outstanding Practical Engineering Training Outstanding Manufacturing & Engineering Apprenticeships HNC in Engineering & Manufacturing HND in Engineering & Manufacturing

To find out more or to arrange a tour of our outstanding facilities, please call 0191 518 5587 or email emma.norbury@eastdurham.ac.uk

‘We’re in business for business’ 15/5/17 EDC - Contact, 172mm h x 122mm £15.00.indd 1

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15/05/2017 11:35

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Commercial Profile

Leaning towards smarter water manufacturing

By Ken Black, Optimisation Manager, Northumbrian Water When it comes to lean manufacturing, most people think about industries such as automotive.

Indeed the processes are heavily championed by car giant Toyota and more than 100 years ago Henry Ford established an early workf low that utilised some of its principles.

However, it surprises many to learn that Northumbrian Water has firmly embraced lean manufacturing as we ready our own product – water – for our customers’ consumption and treat wastewater for return into the environment.

Water is like any other product. We put the raw material through a variety of processes that ensure it is ready to go out to our customers.

We’ve spent a lot of time learning from the likes of Nissan and Nestle, brought in people from other companies, such as McCain Foods Ltd, and mined knowledge from manufacturing and process organisations and forums.

Now, we’re five years into our lean manufacturing endeavours, and they’re paying off.

Our focus upon continuous improvements in our performance looks at five areas: safety, quality, cost, delivery and people.

We have reduced chemical and energy usage, improved the quality of our treatment operations, and learned, developed and adopted new processes in areas such as advanced anaerobic digestion (AAD), the method by which we create energy from waste – or power from poo!

Through AAD, we are maximising income from our treatment works at Howdon, in North Tyneside, and Bran Sands, in the Tees Valley. This is great news for us and our customers, because saving money on our energy costs, by creating our own fuel and, at Howdon, injecting gas back into the National Grid, goes towards delivering best value for customers. www.neechamber.co.uk

Our people benefit, too. Lean manufacturing empowers operators at our treatment works to make decisions themselves, with their first hand experience of the issue in question, and more directly inf luence the results of their work.

Lean manufacturing is a great way to maximise the potential for operations and whether it’s cars, plastics or even water, the benefits are plain to see.

Abbey Road, Pity Me, Durham DH1 5FJ. Telephone 0345 6047468.

Website: www.nwl.co.uk contact 47

Small parts, big economic boost Producing small parts that provide a big boost to

The company produces plastic components

the North East economy, Nifco is a manufacturing

used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of

powerhouse that has experienced vast success

cars made by BMW Mini, Ford, Honda, Jaguar

for many years.

Landrover, Nissan, Toyota and Vauxhall Opel.

With two cutting-edge facilities in Eaglescliffe,

With an order book that is full for years to come,

Teesside, Nifco has created hundreds of jobs

the business looks set to continue to put North

over the last few years, and is well established

East manufacturing on the map long into the

as a key employer in the North East region.

future.

For more information about Nifco and opportunities at the company, visit www.nifcoeu.com or call 01642 672299

www.nifcoeu.com | www.nifco.com

“We are delighted to be working with Sunderland College, they give our apprentices comprehensive training which has allowed them to hit the ground running here at ZF-TRW.�

Robin Finley, Plant Manager - ZF-TRW, Peterlee

Sunderland College is forging relationships with industry that are ensuring employers across the North East are powered up with work-ready people who will grow with the company.

Global automotive supplier ZF-TRW, is one of a growing number of companies from the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector that are tapping into the exceptional standard of teaching and facilities Sunderland College offers.

To find our more call 0191 511 6484 or email employers@sunderlandcollege.ac.uk

Contact Magazine Employer Advert.indd 1

17/05/2017 16:18

Focus The key to success With Nifco managing director Mike Matthews MBE Nifco has been labelled the ‘poster child for the renaissance of British automotive industry’ and is one of the region’s finest examples of global manufacturing success.

Here, Mike Matthews MBE, managing director of the car parts manufacturer and Chamber president, explains what he believes is the key to this region’s success in the automotive sector: Hard work! The people in the North East of England have grit and determination, and that’s what has led to the success this competitive sector has seen in this region.

Nifco, which employs 650 people, knows more than most about competition. Having been a company at risk of closure little over a decade ago, Nifco was able to turn its fortunes around and win back the trust and support of its Japanese parent company.

We dug deep. Manufacturing is a global market. We compete not only nationally but internationally, and we have to focus on being better than the rest. If our European counterparts are working more efficiently and delivering excellent parts first time, then we will not be able to compete and ultimately, we will lose work. Being good is not enough - it’s about being the best.”

To find out more about Nifco UK, visit www.nifcoeu.com

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Pupils from Layfield Primary School in Yarm take part in the Scrapheap Challenge

Up to the challenge

Hundreds of children on Teesside who enjoy the monthly Scrapheap Challenge to create designs from recycled materials are to benefit from funding from UK Steel Enterprise.

The Tata Steel business-support subsidiary has provided funding of £2,500 to help organiser Inspire2Learn buy the recycled materials they need for the popular project which attracts up to 150 children every month.

Here come the girls Global automotive supplier ZF-TRW has taken on its first female apprentice.

Kelsey Richardson, 22, has joined ZF-TRW after the company started working with Sunderland College to support it in developing the next generation of talent.

Based in Peterlee, the company has been working with Sunderland College since November last year.

Opening doors Ford Component Manufacturing, the Ford Engineering Group division which supplies the automotive, earth moving equipment and power generation sectors, is enjoying an uplift in demand, largely on the back of its automotive standard TS16949 accreditation Derek James, Ford Group’s quality manager, believes the success with TS16949 reflects the progress made on customer satisfaction, process improvements, proven business credentials, international recognition and people development. Group chairman Geoff Ford (pictured above) is an enthusiastic supporter of the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), the biggest automotive cluster in the UK, with its strong focus on graduates, schools, apprenticeships and current workforces. He said: “Our focus must be clearly on people, and in particular, our future workforces.”

The Ford Engineering Academy, founded in 2013, is being relaunched in September 2017 with FE partner Gateshead College with an intake of 30 trainees. Training, focuses on work readiness, English, maths and practical skills, and includes a work placement with a North East engineering company.

Industry leader Billingham-based pump manufacturer and distributor Tomlinson Hall & Co Ltd has picked up its sixth Distributor of the Year award in the Pump Industry Awards.

Winner six times since 2009, the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) presented Tomlinson Hall with the prize at Oxfordshire’s Crowne Plaza Hotel in Heythrop Park.

The only North East England-headquartered company to be named as a finalist Tomlinson Hall business support manager Mark Wright was also a runner-up on the night in the Engineer of the Year category. www.neechamber.co.uk

ESTABLISHED 1910

Helping to keep the wheels of industry moving

FORD COMPONENTS Ford Components offer a comprehensive selection of pressed, stamped, laser-cut and formed components for a broad range of industries. We can provide anything from small batch or prototype quantities of 5 up to large production runs of 500,00 and everything in between. We aim to fulfil customer needs by offering services such as speedshop, kanban or kitting and our long history means we have significant existing tooling in stock.

For more information about our services, call +44(0)191 454 0141 or email contactus@ford-engineering.com

An icon in the industry

Ford Component Manufacturing Limited, East Side, Tyne Dock, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE33 5ST

www.ford-engineering.com

Commercial Profile

Oktoberfest reaches 10-year milestone Dozens of businesses have won high value contracts thanks to engineering and manufacturing event Organisers wanted to bring together employers of all sizes to network and put themselves in the ‘shop window’ for potential buyers and suppliers.

The event, named Durham Oktoberfest, took inspiration from the world-famous Munich beer festivals, the idea being that companies within the sectors would come together to promote themselves and the services they offered.

A decade on and not only is Durham Oktoberfest recognised as being the region’s leading event within these industries, two of the most economically important to the North East’s continued growth and prosperity; it is also a proven conduit to business expansion.

Companies around the region have won business on the back of attending, including Bowburn-based Altec, Stanley company Dyer Engineering, who have been involved from the start, E-Max Systems from Darlington, Blaydon-based Impress Group, EDM Zone from Newcastle and Newton Aycliffe logistics firm Stiller.

All come back year after year as they know the event, now held at Newton Aycliffe’s Xcel Centre, is the perfect opportunity to make new connections and chat to businesses who could potential require their services.

David Land, Chairman of County Durham Engineering and Manufacturing Network, which organises Durham Oktoberfest, said: “Durham Oktoberfest is the perfect platform to showcase the North East’s vast capabilities within the engineering and manufacturing sectors.

“But more than that, it offers businesses the chance to meet potential buyers, suppliers and customers which we know can and does lead to work.

“Just recently we revealed that logistics company Stiller had secured a six-figure contract with Marmax Products as a direct result of attending last year’s event. And they’re one of many businesses who have seen their portfolio grow from being part of our event.”

Marmax Products based in Stanley attended Durham Oktoberfest for the first time in 2016.

During the event, bosses met representatives from Stiller and after several meetings and a review of existing provision, Marmax decided to make changes to improve its own offering.

Production Manager Paul King said: “I am always looking

The picture shows, left to right, Stiller MD Matthew Stiller, Jackie Robshaw and Paul King from Marmax Products, Tom Prentice from Stiller and Ben Gilhespy from CDEMN

at ways to improve our efficiency and reduce costs, which ultimately means we can offer our customers a better service.

“After Oktoberfest I met with the team at Stiller to learn more and quickly became sure they were right for us.

Appointing them as our distributors was an easy decision in the end.”

Marmax, which was launched 16 years ago and now employs 26 people, makes a wide range of products for companies and organisations across the country including the Dogs Trust, the Angling Trust and Battersea Dogs Home, as well as schools, theme parks, pubs, restaurants and local authorities.

The contract with Stiller is worth around £150,000 and means Marmax can guarantee a quicker turnaround in product delivery.

Both companies are returning to Oktoberfest this year, with the event taking place on Thursday, October 19.

This year’s event is once again being supported by Business Durham as gold sponsor, while Nigel Wright Recruitment has also come on board as an associate partner.

To find out more visit the website, durhamoktoberfest.org.uk

In association with Gold Sponsor 52 contact

Gold Sponsor www.neechamber.co.uk

oce21123 IAMP Major Boost NE Manufacturing Advert 186x256mm.qxp 25/05/2017 13:11 Page 1

A major boost for manufacturing in the North East The International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP), between Sunderland and South Tyneside, will bring 5,200 new jobs and ÂŁ300m of investment to the region and boost its already impressive record for exporting.

Providing 260,000sqm of space for businesses in sectors ranging from offshore and energy to automotive and advanced manufacturing, IAMP will bring global opportunities and highly skilled jobs – helping to transform the North East economy over the next ten years.

www.iampnortheast.co.uk

People Planning ahead

Flying high Andrew Glover has been appointed general manager at the Cairn Groupowned hotel Double Tree by Hilton Newcastle Airport. His priority is sustained growth in light of the airport’s rise in passenger numbers, which last month welcomed its millionth flyer in 2017.

Real estate advisory service GVA has promoted Neil Morton to senior director in its Newcastle Planning Development & Regeneration (PDR) team. Morton joined GVA in 2013. His team is currently advising clients on some of the region’s most high profile projects, including the regeneration of Pilgrim Street.

Tech team Graham Tye has been appointed as information systems director of Newcastle Building Society's Newcastle Systems Management subsidiary, which provides technology solutions and support for the society's various operations and third party clients.

David Howell, director of operations at the BIC, head of marketing Sarah Spence and commercial director Arthur Hodgson

Mussel in Paul Clarke and Jane Handy

Sitting comfortably Furniture designer and manufacturer Godfrey Syrett has appointed Paul Clarke as regional business development manager and Jane Handy to the role of project sales manager in the firm’s accommodation team.

l-r Gradvert founder Michaela Reaney with Samantha Thompson, Perry Deakin and John Wilkins

Gradvert expands Newcastle training specialist Gradvert is expanding in the Midlands with the appointment of Perry Deakin as sales and marketing director and managers John Wilkins and Samantha Thompson joining to grow its client portfolio in the Midlands.

54 contact

A North East networking organisation has expanded in office space as well as adding to the team. The Mussel Club welcomes Arthur Hodgson as commercial director and Rachel Cotton as account manager. The company has also taken office space in the awardwinning Jupiter Centre at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

New at Naylors Newcastle-based commercial property specialist Naylors has announced the appointment of a new associate director as part of its continued growth strategy. David Straughan has joined the firm’s building consultancy department following roles with Summers Inman and Space Group.

Professor Russell Hewitson

Legally speaking Northumbria University associate professor Russell Hewitson has been named the first academic to chair the Conveyancing & Land Law Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Christopher Waller

Locked in Three apprentices have secured employment with North East shipping container and self-storage business Parsons Containers. Christopher Waller, 20, from Stockton is the latest to join the 22-strong team at Parsons which is headquartered in Sedgefield. www.neechamber.co.uk

Numbers game North East LEP has appointed Victoria Sutherland its new senior economist. She will lead the LEP’s work to analyse the North East’s economic performance.

Back to work

Michele Finch, who grew vintage football shirt company TOFFS into a global business with celebrity fans, has come out of retirement to take on a business development role at the PR agency which used to look after her company.

Finch joins Newcastle PR, social and content agency O as business development manager two years after selling TOFFS, whose shirts were worn by football fans worldwide, including rapper Kayne West.

“I have known O founder Kari Owers and worked with her team over the years and have always thought they are a very special agency; their understanding of PR in a digital world makes them both creative and results-driven which is what every client wants,” says Finch.

O PR clients include Dr. Martens, the UK’s largest holiday park firm Parkdean Resorts, and Husqvarna, maker of Flymo.

Wealth management Brewin Dolphin has appointed Grant Parkinson chief operating officer.

Parkinson, 44, joins Brewin Dolphin from Coutts, the private bank, and will take up his new position in August, joining Brewin’s executive committee and reporting directly to David Nicol, CEO.

Bus stopped After nearly two decades in post, Go North East’s finance director Colin McPherson is stepping down.

Joining as finance director in 1998, McPherson, 58, leaves a significant legacy, including more than £50m of investment in the past five years.

In 2014, he was project sponsor for Gateshead Riverside, ensuring the £8.5m depot was delivered on time and to budget. www.neechamber.co.uk

Choose life

Recovery4Life, a specialist testing, training and treatment service for substance misuse and mental health, has opened a new office in Gateshead.

MD John Devitt says: "The North East has some of the worst Mental Health statistics in the country and the highest suicide rate. From pre-employment medicals and random testing to high- level complex and clinical interventions, we provide businesses with choices on how to address these issues."

Powering ahead Newcastle-based Siemens Power Generation Services, Power and Gas UK, has named Darren Davidson its new MD, taking over from Graham Hartley. contact 55

Motoring

Larging it Jane Pikett checks out Mini’s new Countryman and discovers the little car is all grown up

56 contact

www.neechamber.co.uk

Some 30 years ago, my brother came to collect me from my student hovel in Sunderland to take me home to Yorkshire for the summer.

We packed all my belongings, including music centre (you have to be over 45 to remember those), LPs (ditto), ironing board, books, saucepans and Doc Marten boots into his Mini and still had room for us to perch with relative comfort in the front seats.

This story proves two things. One, students didn’t have nearly so much stuff then as they do now, and two, my bro's Mini - JWA 865W, white, registered in 1980 - was literally mini .

Today, Minis are considerably larger. Indeed, some of them are the size of what in the 1980s would be considered a spacious family saloon.

The new Countryman is the largest in the brand’s history - bigger than a Mazda CX-3 and significantly larger than a Nissan Juke. Purists may claim that the increase in size brings with it a decrease in charm, but its predecessor - the first Countryman - is one of Mini's best sellers ever, and to my mind its new incarnation retains the essential Mini charm factor within a considerably more practical square footage.

Crucially, you can also put a tent on its roof, a development which is, in my opinion, the best thing to happen to Mini ever. Admittedly, the tent costs £2,400, which is £2,355 more than our family four-man with two bedrooms, living room

www.neechamber.co.uk

and cutting-edge double zip design, but it is a very upmarket tent. It comes complete with a ‘highdensity’ mattress (that's marketing speak for better than your bed at home), two doors and windows, and an aluminium ladder.

The latest in ‘roof lifestyle technology’ (my phrase - I think the marketing people will like it) it looks like a conventional roof box which, when you’re ready to pitch camp, raises on four gas pressure springs to turn into your tent. Which is all the reason I need to buy one. And the car to go with it, obviously (this is turning into an expensive camping trip).

Almost as good as the tent, which admittedly has limited opportunities for use (unless you just sell up and live in it, like a giant, fast-moving snail) the new Countryman has an optional fold-out picnic seat, which means you can, well, sit down and have a picnic on it, which is genius, yes?

If you’re into camping and picnics, you probably want to go off-road too, so the Countryman is available as an all-wheel drive, and while it is not built for agility or tiny parking spaces, neither is it any slouch. Engines range from the 1.5-litre threecylinder entry-level petrol Cooper, to 2.0 litres and four cylinders in the Cooper S, Cooper D diesel and Cooper SD diesel. Plus, there is the uber-fan’s choice, the 228bhp John Cooper Works spin-off, due out later this year.

There is considerably more rear leg room than in its predecessor and the 450 litre boot (100 litres bigger than Countryman v.1) extends to 1,170 litres with the seats down, which means you can get your student offspring's bike, iMac, microwave and kitchen sink inside. Ruggedly tall, broad and handsome, it is also more SUV than Mini has ever been, while the interior is significantly plusher, even featuring, for the first time in a Mini, a touchscreen.

All this, in addition to the huge amount of kit you can buy to customise it in iconic style, takes it about as far from JWA 865W as you can get.

Mini, it seems, has grown up. The question now is, have I? contact 57

Motoring

Fashion on four wheels l-r Richard Skinner, Lloyd Newcastle BMW, and Ben Whitfield, NE1 Ltd

Show sets the pace

Fashion-conscious motorists will no doubt be flocking to Town Centre Automobiles in Sunderland, where Citroen’s DS3 Inès de la Fressange limited edition has just arrived.

With stunning ink blue bodywork, opal white roof and unique Inès Red exterior door mirrors and centre wheel caps, the model and designer Inès de la Fressange has done a fine job of customising this model for the fashionista on four wheels.

The limited edition, of which only 200

have been made, features signatures including a blue, white and red Airmail motif on the rear windows and Inès de la Fressange branding on the door pillars.

The car also comes with a limited-edition Voyageur clutch bag from the Inès de la Fressange Paris fashion house.

Town Centre Automobiles is also giving the customers who buy the model a spa day for two at Spa at Ramside Hall worth £190.

Turning heads Lookers has strengthened its relationship with prestige brand Audi with the opening of a new luxury retail site in Sunderland.

The launch of Wearside Audi on Newcastle Road represents a £5.7m investment by Lookers and features a new car showroom and workshop.

The grand opening was catered by Michelin-starred Newcastle restaurant House of Tides and guests were treated to a display of rare Audis including the 1968 Car of the Year NSU Ro 80 and the limited-edition R8 GT Spyder. The new site is part of Lookers’ wider investment programme, which includes a £17m Audi dealership in Dublin and a £10m VW showroom in Battersea, London.

58 contact

Lloyd Newcastle BMW and DFDS have been named supporters of this year’s NE1 Newcastle Motor Show - the UK’s largest free open-air city centre supercar event.

The weekend-long festival in July, which features hundreds of classic and supercars and last year attracted more than 104,000 people, is more than 200% bigger this year, dominating two square miles of Newcastle city centre. Michelle Caveney, head of business at Lloyd Newcastle BMW says: “We’re delighted to be named as Dealer Partner for this year’s show. The event made a huge impact last year and we are keen to play our part in making the show even bigger and better this year. We’re looking forward to working with NE1 to put Newcastle on the motoring map.”

Stiller invests

The new retail site

Stiller Warehousing and Distribution has invested more than £250,000 in new trucks.

The Newton Aycliffe familyrun firm has spent £280,000 on four 36ft-long Iveco trucks, each fitted with rear lifting platforms with collapsible safety barriers and bespoke reversing camera system. Stiller’s latest investment in equipment, people and facilities – including two new warehouses costing more than £1.8m – takes the company’s total spend to almost £7m in the last three years. MD Matthew Stiller says: “It’s another sound investment after a period of steady and positive growth." www.neechamber.co.uk

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Events Chamber Exchange

Chamber Showcase @North East Expo April 5, Newcastle Falcons Kingston Park

June 8, Holiday Inn Darlington A1 Scotch Corner, 11:00-14:00 FREE The Chamber’s flagship networking event encouraging an exchange of experiences, ideas and offers between members.

Venue sponsor

Chamber Exchange in association with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, July 13 Slaley Hall, 11:00-14:00 FREE

The Chamber's Showcase exhibition

Ashley Carney (Chamber) and Marc Gordon (Fresh Start Events)

David Steele (John Lewis for Business)

Venue sponsor

Andy Davis (Trident Manor)

Elaine Tatters and Hollie Lawson (Dept for International Trade)

Chamber Exchange

Chamber Golf Day July 19, Matfen Hall Northumberland 11:30-19:30 £130+VAT per team This event is supported

by Matfen Hall and European Golf Challenge

Glynn Blackburn (Arthur J Gallagher)

April 13, hosted and sponsored by Village Hotel

Table networking

Karen Dobson and Kerri Smith (Village Hotel)

Stuart Redshaw (Trust Red) and Tracy Chandler (Emirates)

Event sponsor

Joanne Richardson and Suzanne Conn (Kier North Tyneside) 60 contact

Jayne Hart (Jayne Hart HR) and Jenny Forrester (Innovation NE) www.neechamber.co.uk

Northumberland Review and AGM March 24, MacDonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Club

Keith Elsey (George Smith Ltd) and Tony Platten (Blyth Spartans AFC)

Anne Marie Trevelyan MP, John McCabe (Fusion PR) and James Ramsbotham (Chamber)

Neil Todd (JN Todd Associates) and Karen Barwick (Laurus Associates)

Anne Marie Trevelyan MP

Inspiring Females Seminar March 30, hosted and sponsored by Newcastle High School for Girls

Lucy Kendall (COCO) and Lesley Moody (AES Digital)

Janice Graves (NHSFG) and Kim Smith (Vinspired NYA Partnership)

Maccine Hall (Designs Unique) and Gemma Pringle (O'Brien Waste Recycling Solutions)

Tyne & Wear Review and AGM March 14, Copthorne Hotel, sponsored by Newcastle College

George Sanger (Pulsant), Tony Lewin (Newcastle College), Mike Matthews MBE (Chamber), Laura Hunter (Great Exhibition Christine Holland of the North) and Bill McGawley (Holland PR and Marketing) www.neechamber.co.uk

George Sanger (Pulsant and Chair of Tyne & Wear Committee)

Gillian Childs (Barnardos Palmersville Training) and Anne Cuthbertson (Your Growth Consulting)

contact 61

Events Diary FEATURED EVENT

FEATURED EVENT

FEATURED EVENT

JUNE 21

JUNE 29

JULY 19

Chamber AGM & Member Showcase, 10:00-14:30 St James Park, Newcastle, FREE

Chamber Inspiring Females Conference, 09:30-15:00 Sage UK, Newcastle, FREE

Chamber Golf Day 2017 11:30-19:30, Matfen Hall Northumberland, £130* per team

TO BOOK

www.neechamber.co.uk/events

Networking JUL 4 - CHAMBER LOCAL (TEAM VALLEY MONTHLY)

08:30-10:30 • AREA NORTH, TEAM VALLEY

FREE

JUL 6 - CHAMBER SUMMER SOCIAL

16:00-18:00 • MOTEL ONE, NEWCASTLE

FREE

JUL 13 - CHAMBER EXCHANGE IN ASSOCIATION WITH CUMBRIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

11:00-14:00 • SLALEY HALL, NORTHUMBERLAND

FREE

JUL 25 - CHAMBER LOCAL

08:30-10:00 • DARLINGTON CREDIT UNION

FREE

JUL 26 - CHAMBER LOCAL

10:00-12:00 THE HASTINGS, SEATON DELAVAL

FREE

AUG 1 - CHAMBER LOCAL (TEAM VALLEY MONTHLY)

08:30-10:30 • AREA NORTH, TEAM VALLEY

FREE

JUL 19 - CHAMBER GOLF DAY 2017

SEPT 28 - TEES VALLEY ANNUAL DINNER

16:00-17:30 • SUNDERLAND MARRIOTT, SEABURN

£80*

Skills, Knowledge and Information Network

£130* PER TEAM

18:00-00:00 • JURY’S INN MIDDLESBROUGH HOTEL

OCT 27 - NORTH EAST BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

18:30-01:00 • HILTON NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD

£85*

NOV 2 - NORTHUMBRIA & DURHAM ANNUAL DINNER

18:00-00:00 • CIVIC CENTRE, NEWCASTLE

£100*

NOV 8 - CHAMBER SHOWCASE @ NORTH EAST EXPO

09:00-16:00 • NEWCASTLE FALCONS

TBC

Area Meetings JUN 14 - NORTHUMBERLAND AREA MEETING

16:00-18:00 • BLYTH WORKSPACE

JUN 21 - CHAMBER AGM & MEMBER SHOWCASE

15:45-17:30 • TBC

FREE

08:15-10:00 • TBC

10:00-14:30 • ST JAMES PARK, NEWCASTLE

JUN 20 - STOCKTON BUSINESS FORUM

FREE

JUN 23 - DURHAM AREA MEETING FREE

JUL 5 - REDCAR & CLEVELAND AREA MEETING

£60*

08:15-10:00 • TBC

JUN 29 - CHAMBER INSPIRING FEMALES CONFERENCE

JUL 7 - NORTH TYNESIDE AREA MEETING

09:30-15:00 • SAGE UK, NEWCASTLE

FREE

62 contact

JUL 13 - SOUTH TYNESIDE AREA MEETING

08:00-09:30 • LITTLE HAVEN HOTEL, SOUTH SHIELDS

FREE

JUN 21 - CHAMBER AGM EXHIBITION STANDS

events@neechamber.co.uk

11:30-19:30 MATFEN HALL, NORTHUMBERLAND

Flagship 10:00-14:30 • ST JAMES PARK, NEWCASTLE

0300 303 6322

FREE

08:00-10:00 • SWAN CENTRE FOR INNOVATION

FREE

FREE

JUL 18 - SUNDERLAND AREA MEETING

FREE

JUN 13 - BEHIND THE SCENES: RAPID GROWTH BUSINESS**

08:00-10:00 • UTILITYWISE, NORTH TYNESIDE

FREE

JUN 16 - SPECIAL POST ELECTION ECONOMIC & FINANCIAL MARKETS BREAKFAST BRIEFING**

08:00-10:00 • BREWIN DOLPHIN, NEWCASTLE

FREE

International JUN 15 - IMPORT PROCESSES, COMPLIANCE AND DOCUMENTS

09:00-16:00 • DURHAM COUNTY CRICKET CLUB

£300***

JUN 16 - BREXIT AND BEYOND: FORECASTING & MITIGATION FOR EXPORTERS & IMPORTERS

08:30-12:00 • EVOLVE BUSINESS CENTRE

£300***

JUL 19 - INTRODUCTION TO EXPORT

11:00-17.00 • ST JAMES' PARK

FREE

*Chamber Member Price+VAT **Medium members and above *** Global member price £240+VAT Foundation Award in International Trade: Global Member Cost: £640.00+VAT (3 courses) £800+VAT (4 courses) Standard Cost: £800.00+VAT (3 courses) £960+VAT (4 courses)

www.neechamber.co.uk

Last word

Why professionalism is paramount As the modern threat landscape and rapid technological change drive the need for moving security from being an industry sector toward a recognised profession, Peter Houlis charts why, after 40-plus years, he became a Chartered Security Professional

Peter Houlis

Developments in technology and the move towards IP-based solutions are driving an ongoing requirement for better-qualified security practitioners. Indeed, as Briggs and Edwards noted in 2006: “The business of security has shifted from protecting companies from risks to being the new source of competitive advantage.”

The world has changed. Security is a constantly moving objective for businesses.

Everyone in an organisation needs to adopt the security culture and understand its business value. Security needs to be appreciated in the same way as, for example, Health and Safety, and we can only achieve this by raising the standing of the security profession.

When I first became involved in security 40 years ago, crime seemed quite simple.

Today, globalisation and technological advances are changing the world, the political landscape and the criminal menace.

Civil unrest and terrorism is widespread and as the landscape becomes increasingly unpredictable the importance of the role played by the security profession increases.

All practitioners, from security managers and officers to consultants, integrators and technology vendors, need to see the bigger picture and understand an organisation’s business from top to bottom.

The technical side of the industry has changed with IP-enabled security devices and systems. The growth in IP security and surveillance, and the developing

"Everyone in an organisation needs to adopt the security culture and understand its business values"

64 contact

convergence with IT, provides a powerful platform for transforming our industry.

Most security companies need to learn how to apply new equipment and solutions: servers, hubs, switches, PoE and systems, IP protocols, networks and cyber security analytics, etc. Systems are now more powerful and complex, more bespoke, intelligent and interconnected, so a more diverse and higher degree of skill sets is required to make them work correctly.

We need to get to grips with convergence.

Technology convergence is about integrating everything on a common network: communications, IT equipment, PC workstations, servers, printers, social media, BMS, data for payroll, HR, procurement and, of course, security devices. Operational convergence, on the other hand, is focused on merging the various security management disciplines. Convergence isn’t new, but security is one of the last functions within an organisation to merge on to standard IT equipment.

As technology change expands the use of security systems, in particular surveillance systems, far beyond mere security uses, so it also transforms them into an operational management tool for the business.

The technical security role is now about implementing technical solutions which provide instant information, whether that be on a break-in, a Health and Safety infringement or an operational process that’s gone wrong. We need to make that information easily accessible and facilitate its sharing.

The IT sector is qualifications-driven, but the more mature security industry has a lack of professional qualifications. Fortunately, www.neechamber.co.uk

Tributes to the North East victims of the Manchester terror attack at the Angel of the North

several of our universities are now offering security-related degree courses.

We also require a clear understanding of our clients’ business functions.

Regrettably, the security industry has been slow in developing appropriate qualifications. We need to drive for a more professional industry supported by relevant qualifications and certification.

My business, 2020 Vision Systems, enjoys SSAIB accreditation, has gained BS 5750 as well as Safecontractor accreditation. In addition, we’ve implemented ISO 9001:2008 IQMS and ISO 14001:2004.

To meet the criteria for entry to the Register of Chartered Security Professionals, I had to complete a 10,000-word thesis on four given security subjects. Finally, I attended a rigorous and detailed interview with two assessors and an observer.

Security cannot be achieved in isolation.

It’s a business problem which challenges the security industry to make dramatic changes, the overriding aim being to achieve strategic www.neechamber.co.uk

and higher operational level competencies in security management.

The modern security professional needs to be recognised as a proactive advisor and enabler of security and risk management decisions for the protection of the organisation, but also – and crucially so – as a valued equal among fellow business professionals.

Professional qualifications and Chartered Security Professional status are the individual’s path towards earning the respect from those fellow business professionals. It’s a demonstration that a given individual can add value to the organisation through Best Practice in security. In what’s now a diverse and dynamic subject, continual review of knowledge and skills through education, research and networking – in tandem with constant personal development – will be paramount in retaining and developing that level of respect and recognition.

• Peter Houlis CSyP MSyI is Managing Director of 2020 Vision Systems contact 65

Member 2 Member Exclusive offers for Chamber members Make more of your Chamber membership with these great member offers and many more at www.neechamber.co.uk

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66 contact

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