JCT600, Frank Turner

Independently owned Bradford-based motor group JCT600 has appointed Frank Turner as national broker and corporate accounts manager for its growing fleet operation.

Neill Richards, fleet sales director of JCT600, commented: “Over the last 18 months, we have put in place a team of six top quality fleet managers with a vast amount of valuable fleet experience who are responsible for their own departments and bottom line profit as well as being passionate brand ambassadors. 

Airedale (Middle East) Nissar Rahman

Following the opening of its Dubai office in February, Airedale International has now appointed Nissar Rahman as Sales & Applications Engineer for the Middle East, supporting Area Manager, Andrew Walker. 

Commercial Director, Mark Viner said: “We’re delighted that Nissar has agreed to join us. He’s a very talented and experienced engineer who will be pivotal to our growth plans in the Middle East. British engineering is a highly respected discipline around the world and Airedale is committed to making sure that that remains the case by continuing to develop innovative, award-winning cooling solutions that raise the bar globally in terms of energy efficiency and resilience.“ 

Langleys Solicitors, Emma Lawler and Mark Day

Langleys Solicitors has announced two key appointments in its Family unit.

Partner Emma Lawler joins the firm from Sills & Betteridge, while partner Mark Day, (below) previously head of the Family Unit in York, will now head the entire Unit across the firm’s offices in York and Lincoln.

Commenting on his promotion, Mark said: “It will be a privilege to lead a Family Unit as established and renowned as Langleys’, and we’re delighted to welcome Emma Lawler to the matrimonial team. Her wealth of experience advising clients in relation to complex financial cases is a tremendous boost to the Unit.“

Lincoln based Emma Lawler said: “I welcome the opportunity to work for a firm with such a strong reputation for providing a high quality service for clients. I intend to build on that reputation.“

TaxAssist Accountants, Petra Jackova and Mark Paine

Harrogate-based TaxAssist Accountants has expanded its team with the appointments of accountant, Petra Jackova and trainee, Mark Paine.

David Underwood who runs TaxAssist Accountants in Harrogate said: “We are delighted to welcome Petra and Mark to the team. The partnership we have with Harrogate College has been an amazing success. 

"Too often young people leave university or college with no real experience of working life, whereas apprenticeships allow them to train in their chosen career and also gain valuable work experience.  I would highly recommend taking on apprentices to other small businesses. ”

Ison Harrison, Iain Oliver

Leeds Lawyers, Ison Harrison, has appointed a new Manager for its Ilkley office. Partner Iain Oliver takes up his post this week moving from the Head Office in Leeds.  The Ilkley office opened during 2010 and now has an 8 strong office right in the heart of the famous “Le Tour” town.

Jonathan Wearing, managing partner of Ison Harrison said “Iain is one of our most distinguished lawyers, diligent and capable, and I am sure he will be a popular figure at our thriving office in Ilkley.“

Ison Harrison, ‘The Leeds Law Firm’, has over 150 staff in offices in 8 offices.  Besides the one on the Grove in Ilkley and one in Guiseley, it has its headquarters in Leeds City Centre, and within the Leeds area has offices in Chapel Allerton, Chapeltown, Crossgates, Garforth and Morley.

Williamsons Solicitors, Gemma Foster and Diane Ramsden (pictured above)

Williamsons Solicitors has appointed key new staff as part of its expansion of the Bridlington and Driffield offices in East Yorkshire.

Solicitor Gemma Foster has joined the Driffield office following an upturn in the region’s property market, while Diane Ramsden has been appointed as a wills and probate legal assistant in Bridlington.

Bill Waddington, a director at Williamsons Solicitors, said: “Gemma has been a great asset to our Hull office but she is ideally suited to working in the property department in Driffield.

“I think Gemma’s progress demonstrates that Williamsons’policy of training and retaining talent brings very good results. She has become highly skilled and is also very well qualified.“

Sheffield Forgemasters, Dr. Steve Price,  Mark Tomlinson and Paul Madin

Sheffield Forgemasters has implemented a raft of management changes across its divisions to maximise its specialist strengths and skills base.

Dr Steve Price moves from his former role as managing director of Sheffield Forgemasters Steel Ltd, building on his many years of experience at the company to head up Forgemasters’ sales division, allowing the recently announced appointment of Dr Martin Novak as head of the Steel company.

Former Melt Shop technical director, Mark Tomlinson, takes up a new role as the Forgemasters group’s business development director, responsible for seeking out new markets and services provision and maximising the company’s marketing operations to a global customer base.

Paul Madin has been appointed as group welding and fabrication director, moving from his former position as Foundry Technical Director which has now been taken up by Matthew Morley.

Future Life Wealth Management, Samantha Williams

Sheffield-based financial experts Future Life Wealth Management have recruited a new financial planner.

Samantha Williams, who is from Sheffield, will be joining the team as a Paraplanner to assist in financial plans and reports for clients.

Managing director Jill Thomas, who is also junior vice president of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “We are delighted to have Samantha joining us and she will become a valued member of our team and help us manage our expanding client base.“

Deloitte, Ravi Sharma, Paul Hewitson, Maree-Louise Kernick and Keith Stewart

Business advisory firm Deloitte has announced four director promotions as it continues to strengthen its North East practice.

The promotions include Ravi Sharma in Restructuring Services, Paul Hewitson in Audit, Maree-Louise Kernick in Risk and Keith Stewart in the strategy practice, Monitor Deloitte.

Paul Feechan, senior partner in the North East at Deloitte, said: “As a firm we are committed to investing in and developing our own talent as we believe it’s a key way to achieve sustainable success both for our clients and ourselves.  

Horizonworks, Kirsten Meaney and Ryan Errington

North East-based full service strategic marketing company Horizonworks is on the rise after doubling the size of its team in the last 12 months.

The expanding firm has made two new appointments and promoted a key member of staff, following increased demand for its strategic marketing and design divisions.

The firm, which is headquartered in Newcastle, has welcomed client marketing manager Kirsten Meaney and designer Ryan Errington to its team, following a number of high profile client wins, and their recruitment is part of Horizonworks’ ambitious growth strategy over the next 3 years.

Land Factor, Roin Earle

As Land Factor, one of the region’s largest Rural Estate Managers, continues to expand, it has strengthened its team, with the appointment of well known local land agent, Robin Earle.

Commenting on this appointment, Land Factor Director Tom Warde-Aldam said “Robin is a highly skilled and capable surveyor, with a breadth of knowledge and experience which will make him an enormous asset to our team as we expand and continue to grow.

"We are always looking for talented individuals to join the Land Factor team and I am delighted to welcome Robin.“

BHP Law, Ben Houchen

Regional legal firm BHP Law has won the vote of a solicitor and politician who has joined its growing business and company law team.

Ben Houchen represents Yarm and Kirklevington on Stockton Borough Council. He stood in the Middlesbrough Parliamentary by-election in 2012 following the death of MP Stuart Bell and recently stood for the North East seat in the European Parliamentary elections.

North East LEP, Paul Woolston

Paul Woolston has been reappointed as chairman of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership for a second three-year term.

Sunderland-born Mr Woolston, who recently retired as a senior partner with PwC North, was initially appointed as chairman in July 2011 when he took over the role from interim incumbent Paul Walker. He has been confirmed in the role for a second term by the board of the North East LEP.

Mr Woolston said: “In the next three years and beyond, the implementation of the North East Strategic Economic Plan will be one of the LEP’s main focuses.

"The 10-year plan for growth and employment, which lays out ambitious plans to create a further 100,000 jobs over the next decade, is based on the findings of the North East Independent Economic Review commissioned by the LEP.

 “The Strategic Economic Plan sets out a route for the region to be more globally competitive and create more and better jobs. Building on the Adonis Review, it has a clear, cohesive strategy to propel long-term growth in the North East and channel future investment most effectively."

Cedrec, Amy Batch and Martha Redpath

A Sunderland firm specialising in online safety and environmental legislation advice is marking 20 years in business with new starters to meet demand for its services.

New appointments at expanding Cedrec include writers Amy Batch and Martha Redpath, who will be joining an experienced team in the writing department providing online content and guidance on the latest legislation for all sectors of industry.

Easby Gale & Phillipson Financial Advisers, Phillip Morris

Following a recent expansion in Newcastle upon Tyne, Easby Gale & Phillipson Financial Advisers (EG&P) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Henderson, a new Independent Financial Adviser, at its Collingwood Street office. 

Phillip Morris, managing director of EG&P, said, "I am thrilled that Adamhas joined the EG&P team, and to attract an adviser of such skill and experience to our financial planning team is a testament to the company’s local reputation, and heralds an exciting new phase for our Newcastle office."

From today every employee will gain the right to request flexible working, giving a boost to workers and to business, a right which has previously only been available for carers, or people who look after children.

Today’s extension of the right to request the chance to work flexibly means more than 20 million employees can now benefit, according to the government.

It is expected the new right will be of particular interest to older workers who want to work differently as they approach retirement and to young people entering the labour market who may want take up additional training or learning while they work.

As part of the right, employees can expect their request to be considered in a reasonable manner by employers – this will be much simpler than the previous burdensome process businesses had to undergo before making a decision.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "Modern businesses know that flexible working boosts productivity and staff morale, and helps them keep their top talent so that they can grow. 

"It’s about time we brought working practices bang up to date with the needs, and choices, of our modern families.

"Today is a crucial milestone in how we can help people balance their family life with work and caring responsibilities. And from next year, Shared Parental Leave will allow mums and dads to be able to choose how they care for their new-born in those first precious months."

Business Minister Jo Swinson said: "Extending the right to request flexible working will help to create a cultural shift towards more modern, 21st century workplaces where working flexibly is the norm.

"Firms that embrace flexible working are more likely to attract and retain the best talent and reap the benefits of a more motivated workforce. 

"Employees will benefit from being able to balance work with other commitments in their lives. It also helps drive a cultural shift where flexible working becomes the norm.

"Businesses have reported benefits to their firms in allowing staff to adopt more flexible working practices. 

"This includes more than half reporting an improvement in their relationship with their employees and staff motivation, 40% reporting a boost in productivity and 38% seeing a drop in staff absence."

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: ”Now, thanks to this long overdue change in the law, employees of all ages will be able to ask their boss to alter the way they work, regardless of whether they have dependents or caring responsibilities. 

“If they have an employer who gets why flexible working makes sense, workers who want to take time out to train, volunteer in a local community project, or simply avoid travelling at rush hour will now be able to transform their lives.

“But those with old-fashioned bosses who expect all staff to stick to the same rigid hours day in day out and always be in the office won’t be so lucky. Employers will still find it all too easy to block any requests for greater flexibility.

“Unfortunately the right to request is only the right to ask nicely. There is nothing to stop employers saying no. Of course not everyone in every company or organisation is able to work flexibly – some requests will always need to be turned down. But without the right to challenge employers, many workers will continue to lose out.“

Sir Howard Bernstein is urging the region’s business people to involve themselves in the International Festival for Business 2014 as it reaches the half way stage.

Sir Howard, chief executive of Manchester City Council, has himself attended several events including the Global Economic Forum at Crowne Plaza Liverpool and the Invest breakfast at Manchester’s Bridegwater Hall.

He also spoke at the European Tour Operators Association’s Future of City Tourism Conference at Liverpool’s Rum Warehouse, alongside Loyd Grosman, chairman of the Heritage Alliance.

Sir Howard is one of the key speakers at the two-day UK Property Forum, 1-2 July at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza hotel.

Liverpool is the host city for IFB 2014, but as a UK festival and the first of its kind for more than 60 years, there are events in other parts of the country and across the North West, including Manchester, until the end of July.

Sir Howard, who has supported the festival since its inception as an IFB Ambassador, said it was a festival accessible to all across the North West: “I would certainly encourage Manchester businesses to do that [come to Liverpool for the festival], but equally a lot of the events are not just taking place in Liverpool.

“There’s a lot going outside the city, for example there was an event in Derby, so as many businesses as possible should be able to experience the really exceptional participation that this conference offers.“

IFB is a global showcase for great British industry across multiple sectors, and is championing UK businesses to new markets, new products and new partners.

Comprising some 300 high value business events, the festival is a key part of the government’s ambition to promote economic growth, rebalance the economy and double UK exports by 2020.

Key themes of the festival include: manufacturing, science & technology; maritime, logistics & energy; knowledge, professional & financial services; higher & further education & research; low carbon & renewables; cities, enterprise & urban business; knowledge, creative & digital.

Sir Howard added: “It has been a very positive experience not only for the North West, but for everybody who has been attracted to Liverpool. It is providing the platform to celebrate national business achievements and that’s what this is really about.

“I have been really impressed with the range and quality of private sector participation and the quality of the events that I have been involved so in those terms this has so far been a resounding success.“

Delegates from across China are heading to the International Festival for Business (IFB) to advise UK businesses on the opportunities the Far East holds.

IFB 2014’s China and Hong Kong Week will comprise a large number of events especially designed to inform businesses and entrepreneurs about trade, investment, and commercial opportunities in Asia.

The events, which will be held at The IFB Hub, located at No.1 Mann Island, will be led by representatives from a wide range of national, international and specialist organisations.

These will include the week’s lead partner China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the London Chamber of Commerce.

Highlights of China and Hong Kong Week and events taking place at The IFB Hub next week will include:

·         Connections between East and West - Qingdao International Economic Cooperation Zone/Sino-German Ecopark, 30 June

·         China Business Culture Training Session, 1 July

·         Unlocking the China market: practical advice for SMEs, 3 July

·         Doing Business in China – Santander roundtable, 3 July

·         UKTI/LCC China Focus, 4 July

Jessica Zhang, China Business Adviser at CBBC, said: “The China and Hong Kong week is a real must for any business or entrepreneur looking to explore opportunities in Asia. It will provide enormously valuable insight for companies of all sizes and sectors, whether new entrants or established organisations.

“Alongside CBBC, organisations which have extensive experience of doing business in China and across Asia will be offering practical insight into in-market assistance, services and industry initiatives.”

“CBBC works closely with UKTI and has 13 locations in China where we have specialists and large networks both in the private and public sectors which help businesses realise their market potential in the country.”

The China and Hong Kong week is the fourth in a series of internationally themed weeks hosted by IFB 2014. Future weeks will include India Week, launching on the 7th July, and USA Week, which will be held from 14th to the 18th July.

The IFB Hub, which is the central nerve centre for IFB 2014, has reported a significantly strong take up of events, contract negotiation meetings and engagement with exhibitors in its first three weeks.

Spread over two floors of the No1 Mann Island at Liverpool’s Pier Head, it has acted as a magnet for visitors to the city engaged with the various events under the IFB 2014 umbrella.

More than 200 events and meetings have been held in the IFB Hub so far which have ranged from one-to-one investment meetings and small 10 person private functions to conferences for up to 200 people.

Outside of The IFB Hub, the week will also see full programme of conferences and events taking place across the city with a strong focus on businesses operating in the financial and professional services sectors in the UK and globally.

The programme includes The Business of Health, UK Property Forum, 5th International Banking and Finance Forum, UK Business Angels Investment Summit and Leading Across Cultures.

• North East house prices rose 1.1% in June – three and a half times faster than May. A typical North East home was worth £1677 more this month than last.
• Region still lags behind the rest of the UK, with a predicted annual growth of 8.4% compared to 31% in Brighton and 26% in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
• Seaham is North East’s “Best to Invest” this month, with some of the region’s strongest and rising rental yields (5.6%), dipping house prices, rising demand for rental properties and attractive buy-to-rent ratios for tenants.
• Average rent in the North East rent rose by £5 to £565, “driven by Durham”, where rents rose by 5%.  
• South Shields is KIS’ tip for the “Best Place to Rent” with the regions’ second highest rise in house prices and typical rents (£489) near identical to average mortgage rates (£483).

Published montlhy by local proeprty firm KIS, Housing NOW – Housing North of Watford - pulls together the most authoritative and up-to-the-minute data and the expert market analysis to provide an indispensible guide to the state of the North East property market.

This month’s report shows North East property prices rose by 1.1% in June, three and a half times faster than May (0.3%). An average property now valued at £152,908, £1977 more than four weeks ago.

There continues, however, a good deal of volatility from area to area.

If the trends of the past eight weeks were to continue throughout the year, property prices across the region would rise annually by 8.4%. This compares to predictions of 31% in Brighton and 26% in Waltham Forest.

Durham City recorded the highest monthly rise of 3.8%. The second largest rise occurred in South Shields (3.8%), where property prices have risen by 5.7% in two months. Similarly on the other side of the Tyne, prices in North Shields rose by 3.1%, up 5.1% in two months.

Blyth (-2.7%) Cramlington and Seaham (-1%) recorded falls, the later for the second consecutive month, with prices down 3.8% in eight weeks. Seaham’s rental yields for investors, however, remains strong.

North East rents remain broadly static, albeit rising at a faster rate than last month. Typical prices rose by £5, driven by Durham City, where rent rose by 5%, perhaps driven by dwindling stocks of student accommodation at the close of the academic year.

Rents in Darlington have fallen noticeably in the last eight weeks, down 4.4% since April. Rents also continued to fall in Easington (-2.5%) and Peterlee (-1.2%)

Rental yields in the region stayed constant, with a modest fall from 4.6% in May to 4.4% in June. The highest rental yields in the region can currently be found in Seaham, where investors can expect a 5.6% return on their investment. Gateshead (5.4%) and Peterlee (5.3%) where also regional hotspots. The lowest yields this month are to be found in Whitley Bay (3.3%).

Seaham is KIS’ “Best to Invest” tip for property investors this month, with strong and rising yields for investors and modestly falling prices.

South Shields is KIS’ tip for the “Best Place to Rent” with with the regions’ second highest rise in house prices and typical rents (£489) near identical to average mortgage rates (£483).

KIS founder and Managing Director Ajay Jagota responded to the figures. He said: “The property market in the North East is generally positive at the moment, with considerableactivity in terms of purchases and sustained yet sustainable price rises. There continues to be huge variance from area to area, with a 6.5% difference between the falling prices in Blyth and the rising prices in Durham.

“Not only does this show the value of both localised analysis like ours and making investment decisions guided by expert local knowledge, it shows how vital it is the Bank of England gets the  measures is it expected to announce this week to cool the property market.

“In many parts of the North East, the property market continues to need anything but cooling. Treat a South East problem as a national one and you won’t just be cooling the property market, you’ll be cooling the entire economy.

“A little local knowledge goes a long way in property. Investment orthodoxy could well lead you away from areas traditionally less fashionable areas the A19 corridor, but our analysis continues to suggest that’s where the highest rental yields are often to be found.

“Seaham in particular looks like a good place to find a bargain right now, although South Shields seems one to watch in terms of property prices.”

A County Durham electrical distribution firm has enjoyed a record-breaking 30% jump in turnover.

Upex Electrical Distributors (UED), based in Newton Aycliffe, saw a hike in turnover during 2013, the firm’s best-ever performance in its 26-year history, while the firm’s growth has trebled in the last seven years.

UED, part of the Upex Group of eight companies owned by entrepreneur John Upex, caters for the man on the street up to large industrial firms, and has been working on large-scale projects for the likes of 3M and Gestamp Tallent recently.

The firm has recently become a member of independent wholesalers AWEBB – a “progressive, ambitious and forward-thinking purchasing consortium” – which gives the Aycliffe outfit bigger buying power and enables them to compete with its online competitors.

Managing director Gary Monk, who re-joined the company in 2007 after buying a 25% stake, said: “We’re in a very competitive market, especially with companies who do what we do online only, but our biggest strength is our locality and service. 

“There are lots of wholesalers like us that are purely internet based, but we’re competitive with all of them and we cater for the whole spectrum, from the cash sale customer who comes in for a plug to heavy industry.”

UED has five full-time staff, including Steve Whitham, Barry Harland and David Land in the sales team and van driver Jeff Hunter and part-time sales rep Tom College.

The company was set up in 1984 and has grown rapidly to become the only major electrical retailer and wholesaler in the Newton Aycliffe area. 

UED carries an extensive range of stock in-house, which is supported by direct access to local and national supplies, boasting a same-day or 24-hour delivery.

Data and information management business Switch-Growth Ltd has created four new positions in the company after announcing its expansion into the education sector.

The company, which has been trading for 15 months, has seen an increase in demand for the new service.

Rita Learman joins the company as information manager, Allison Redshaw as education consultant, Sarah Placzek as systems assistant and George Truman has taken on a role in IT development.

The move into the education sector was launched in reaction to the growing focus of schools on driving up standards through the use of data analysis.

Switch-Growth Ltd helps to embed a data culture over time which then allows schools, colleges and universities to have data informed conversations with establishments such as OFSTED.

It also aims to support improvements in teaching and learning by designing training which will allow schools to use data in their organisations.

Jean Bell, director at Switch-Growth Ltd said: “We are all really excited by our move into the education sector. It has enabled us to take on enthusiastic members of staff and we have ambitious but realistic aspirations for the coming year.”

Switch-Growth Ltd is working alongside the likes of Teesside University Business School to further develop its portfolio

Switch-Growth Ltd received the award in recognition of its ambitions to expand into the international market.  This means it will benefit from the UKTI Passport to Export Programme and receive advice on trading abroad.

Jean commented: “We are thrilled to have won this award. It will allow us to explore the opportunities within the education sector of those countries internationally who value the strengths of UK education such as India and the Middle East.

“It also gives us a fantastic opportunity to access knowledge and expertise within UKTI which will allow us to grow our business internationally.”

SMEs from across the North West have enjoyed the opportunity to connect with one of the country’s leading supermarket giants, as the International Festival for Business (IFB) hosted its first Meet the Buyer event.

The initiative brought together 12 growing food and beverage producers from across the region with representatives from Tesco at a series of one-to-one meetings, held at The IFB Hub, located at No.1 Mann Island.

The companies, which were selected by the supermarket group from a large number of applicants, were each given half-an-hour to pitch their products and services, and received valuable business advice in return.

Simon Wingfield, Buying Manager at Tesco, said: “It was fantastic to meet with so many interesting companies at the IFB 2014 Meet the Buyerinitiative. We were enormously impressed with the high quality of businesses, and products, that we met with. There was certainly a huge amount of potential in what we saw.

“We’re driven to support local businesses as best we can, and it’s initiatives like this which really helps us understand the landscape of new products and local businesses out there. We were delighted to take part in the International Festival for Business Meet the Buyer event.“

Companies that took part in the initiative included New Brighton-based ice cream company Caffé Cream, Preston-based chocolate producers Madagascar Chocolate, and The Real Lancashire Black Pudding Company. 

Justin Dooley, Co-Founder of Caffé Cream, said: "The International Festival for Business has provided us with a unique platform to meet with high profile buyers and suppliers in our industry, people whom we would not have been able to reach otherwise.

“The scope of the IFB and the quality of the visitors that it has attracted has escalated our growth considerably."

 Neil Kelsall, Director at sustainable development company Raise Trade, producers of Madagascar Chocolate, added: “This was an incredibly valuable opportunity. For me, the International Festival for Business has been a hugely beneficial way to connect with a whole range of businesses. We had a very valuable meeting with Tesco and received tremendously positive feedback.“

Sarah Lusty, director at The Real Lancashire Black Pudding Company, said: “As a small family business with few contacts, it is quite difficult for us to secure meetings with the right buyers. 

“The Meet the Buyer event at IFB 2014 provided us with a great opportunity to showcase our product range to influential buyers who can potentially make a huge difference to our business.“

 Hosted by IFB 2014, the Meet the Buyer service provides buyers with a simple and straightforward way of testing the UK market and connecting with new, innovative suppliers from across the country.

The event with Tesco formed the first of 24 Meet the Buyer sessions hosted by the IFB. Future sessions will see further SMEs and entrepreneurs paired with representatives from companies including Liverpool Community Health Trust (LCHT), seafood marketing company John West, and Aldi.

North Tyneside Council’s Business Factory has joined forces with an army veteran to launch a scheme offering help and advice for veterans who are looking to start up their own businesses.

The Business Factory has partnered with Jack English, former Commander with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and now a fully-qualified counsellor, to set up The Business Factory Veterans’ Service, providing help and advice to former members of the Armed forces and current Reservists living in North Tyneside who are thinking about starting up their own business.

Jack, 39 who left the army ten years ago, is well aware of the challenges that veterans face when returning to civilian life and will use his own personal experience together with his qualifications and skills as a trained counsellor and adviser to provide help and support to his fellow comrades.

Together with the extensive enterprise support that is available from The Business Factory, Jack will be offering a dedicated service to any veteran thinking about setting up in business; from those with a firm business idea to others who are simply exploring options available to them.

Jack will have access to a wide range of enterprise support available at The Business Factory; from general business start–up advice, to a range of specialist sales, marketing, social media and IT support, as well as intellectual property and patent advice and specialist support for those looking to establish social enterprises – businesses which give back to the community.

Jack said: “This service will prove invaluable to the growing number of people coming out of the armed forces and returning to civilian life.  The job market is not as it once was and opportunities can often seem limited, but I hope to help people to see that their skills and experiences are transferable and could lead them into self-employment.

“Due to the large scale redundancies, many of those coming out of the forces are leaving before they might have originally anticipated and as such don’t necessarily have any real plans in terms of jobs and careers and the prospect, or often lack of them, can be really daunting.

“I understand from my own experiences and through the support groups I run, that return to civilian life is far from easy, so my aim is to offer practical help and guidance that could lead to establishing a business.  

Whether people have a firm business idea and need help to get it off the ground or are simply unsure what direction to take, this new service will combine the expertise of The Business Factory team with my understanding of the challenges members of the armed forces face and help pave the way to self-employment.“

After a difficult few years of his own, Jack retrained and completed a university degree to qualify as a counsellor and now runs peer to peer support groups for veterans across the north east.  He will utilise these skills and his own experience of self-employment to provide the service through The Business Factory.

Chairman of North Tyneside Council, Councillor Tommy Mulvenna added: “Having someone on board like Jack who can fully empathise with veterans across the borough will ensure that this service really meets their needs. Most people leave the armed forces with a host of transferable skills and a steely determination to succeed – some of the most important traits for successfully setting up a business.“

Thanks a partnership between Northumbria University’s Newcastle Business School and the Government-backed GrowthAccelerator scheme, SMEs in the North East can now get help with the cost of training.

The new partnership sees Newcastle Business School matching the funding provided by GrowthAccelerator, helping SMEs with funds towards training costs in leadership and management and also towards MBAs at the Newcastle Business School.

Joan Louw, Manager at GrowthAccelerator said: “As a GrowthAccelerator partner with Government, we are now working with Newcastle Business School and can contribute 50% of the costs to businesses that wish to support their staff through training and development programmes.”

The new partnership sees Newcastle Business School matching the funding provided by GrowthAccelerator, which helps SME’s with funds towards training costs in leadership and management and also towards MBAs at the Newcastle Business School.

The new offer is only available until the end of July so eligible businesses are urged to act quickly to secure funding.

Newcastle Business School is a prestigious institution that has earned a five year accreditation to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business schools.

Dr Jane Turner, Associate Dean for Business and Engagement at Newcastle Business School is enthusiastic about this new opportunity for businesses: “The development of leaders and managers is vital in today’s fiercely competitive environment and GrowthAccelerator offers an ideal opportunity to secure funding assistance to develop your people and consequently enhance your business.”

Businesses in the region looking to benefit can apply to Joan Louw, Growth Manager with GrowthAccelerator on: Joan.louw@growthaccelerator.com. 

Hewlett Packard (HP) announced that they have lease an additional 24,596 sq ft within Cobalt 21, the gateway building at the UK’s largest office park.

HP advised by CBRE has decided to expand its presence at the business park, where it already occupies two buildings at the Cobalt Business Park, by securing space on the second and third floors of Cobalt 21b.

HP’s total campus space a Cobalt now amounts to 170,000 sq ft. Cobalt 21.

Aidan Baker, director, Newcastle office agency at BNP Paribas Real Estate, added: “HP is the fourth company to expand its space at the Park in the last six months, following G4S securing 10,000 sq ft at Cobalt 8 and Accenture securing 10,000 sq ft at Cobalt 15a. IBM also secured 5,000 sq ft at Cobalt 4 earlier this year.“

Matthew Wylie, Global Real Estate Hewlett Packard “HP’s decision to further commit to the region was supported by the flexible and modern office buildings located at Cobalt Park. In addition, the Park also benefits from unrivalled travel links.“

Adrian Hill, director, Highbridge commented, “The fact that six major occupiers have expanded by taking additional buildings or additional floors at Cobalt is already a testament to the development’s quality. HP now becomes our first occupier to expand for the third time within Cobalt – there can be no better endorsement of the scheme’s quality.“

Tutella Training, a training company providing specialist training to those involved in the support, advice and guidance of others is off to a flying start having benefited from support from the Business Northumberland, business advice service.

Business Northumberland is a free service that provides business advice and support to anyone thinking about starting a business in Northumberland and also offers business coaching to existing businesses with growth ambitions.

Business Northumberland is jointly funded by Arch, The Northumberland Development Company, Northumberland County Council and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Tutella Training’s directors, Steve Strong and Cheryl Davidson having previously worked in the sector. Steve has worked in the industry for over 28 years in both the Health & Social Care and Adult Education Sectors.

Cheryl has worked in both the health and social care and adult education sectors, having been involved in the direct delivery of social care services to people with learning disabilities, mental health issues as well as services to the elderly, including those with dementia.

Commenting on the service received from Business Northumberland, Steve said: “We absolutely couldn’t have done without the support of Paul Brown at Business Northumberland over this first year in business, he has pointed us in the direction of so many contacts, and the business advice has been invaluable.”

Tutella training based in Cramlington, provide consistent specialist training to the Health and Social Care sector, delivering measurable outcomes for learners, employers and service users.

The company also provides bespoke programmes for clients and support in accessing funding.

Within the first year the corporate client list is growing at an impressive pace with companies using the skills of Tutella to benefit their own businesses.

Working around the northeast with plans to spread further afield, already the enviable client list includes companies such as Tomorrow’s People, Places for People, Crisis and Abbeyfield.

With the help of North Tyneside Council’s Business Factory, a North Shields couple are looking to bring the first silicone children’s tableware to market.

Graeme Blyth and Maria Poblet, parents of two small children, have started up a business producing silicone, child friendly products for the dinner table.

Now the duo, who have received Intellectual Property and patent advice from The Business Factory’s Ideas to Market specialist advice team, are turning to crowdfunding website Kickstarter to fund their venture.

Graeme said: “It is astounding really that so little safe and child friendly options exist for children’s tableware.   Ceramic breaks, melamine scratches and plastic is known to contain a  number of harmful chemicals which can be released when heated that as concerned parents we knew there must be a safer option.

“We did a lot of research in to the market and now have a full colourful and quirky product range designed and manufacturers in place so all we need now is the initial funding to bring the first round of product to market.”

The Business Factory has helped more than 3000 people to consider starting their own business, resulting in over 700 new businesses since 2010.

Graeme added: “There has been great interest in both our product range and our non-traditional route to market.  We have nearly reached our target but are still seeking pledges from people who would like to use our product range and it would be great if a few more of these could come from people in our local area.”

Cllr Frank  Lott, North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for Business Support  added: “We are committed to supporting and encouraging enterprise across the borough and recognise that no two businesses are the same and each new business requires individual support which is why we offer a range of specialist advice services through The Business Factory in areas such as intellectual property, taking products to market, lease negotiations and sales and marketing.  It is important that we can help start-ups to tackle difficult issues such as patent law and intellectual property to ensure that the foundations of their business are rock solid from the outset.”

To find out more about the products, and to invest www.jinjabiscuit.co.uk

The Core Cities Group has broadly welcomed the Lord Adonis’s Review, outlining how a Labour Government would drive growth.

The Adonis Review now means all major parties see strong city economies with more freedom and less Whitehall control as key to unlocking growth. 

Following the announcement in Leeds this morning, Councillor Keith Wakefield, Leader of Leeds City Council said:“Leeds, along with West Yorkshire and York, are already strong and vibrant economically, seeing the second biggest value added to the economy – over £55 billion. 

"What we really want to see is the support from Whitehall for fair investment in infrastructure which will mean that the North can deliver on our potential. The Review clearly points in the right direction by emphasising the opportunities devolved spending could bring.“ 

The Review recommends more than £30 billion of funding could be devolved over the course of a parliament – three times more than is planned now. This would include cities having more power to control funding for housing, transport, business support and employment.

The inclusion of funding and powers for cities to tackle skills in the Review is also a major step forward. The Core Cities have long argued that the current skills system is too complicated and fails to meet the needs of local business.

Cities need the freedoms to train the workforce to deliver the skills that local businesses need. Other measures include the creation of ‘business hubs’ to stimulate innovation and the smarter use of central Government procurement to help local SMEs. Both proposals were put forward by the Core Cities Group in their Prospectus, launched in autumn last year.

Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council and the Core Cities Portfolio Holder for Growth, said: "The Core Cities are pleased that all the major parties see cities as the way to drive economic growth and welcome today’s proposals in the Labour Growth Review to provide more power for our cities to let them create jobs and grow our economies.

“Long term investment in our cities’ infrastructure and vocational training for our residents is key to establishing a strong economy across the country that can produce high skilled products and exports. In order to achieve this we need funding changes to local government which will see a better balance of funding for the regions.

“We are particularly pleased to see the inclusion of more local control of skills funding in these proposals. This would help us provide locally led business and innovation support to help create jobs and meet the specific skills and training needs of commerce and industry in our cities.“

However there were also criticisms that the proposals could go further in some areas, such as taxation.

Core Cities’ urban areas already deliver 27% of the English economy and are home to 16 million people, yet only retain about 5% of the total tax base raised in these cities which is damaging their economic potential.

Adonis sets out proposals which would increase the tax retained by cities, but not enough.

Greater freedom to decide how to spend the money generated in cities, such as property taxes, would help the Core Cities meet their target of outperforming the national economy, and becoming financially self-sustaining.

Independent forecasts demonstrate this could mean an additional £222 billion and 1.3 million jobs for the country by 2030. That is like adding the entire economy of Denmark to the UK. 

Over 1000 companies ranging from new start-ups to big multinationals have attended UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) events at the International Festival of Business (IFB) over the last three weeks, with many more opportunities still to come.  

Since the Prime Minister launched the International Festival for Business on Monday June 9, companies keen to grow their export business have flocked to attend the series of market and sector focussed events and to make the most of one to one sessions with business experts and buyers being facilitated by the Business Brokerage service.

In the last three weeks, over 1000 companies have attended a dozen UKTI events at the IFB, UK companies have met buyers and experts from over 50 countries, over 500 one-to-one meetings have taken place and over 300 companies have registered for the British Business Embassy according to UKTI. 

Clive Drinkwater, regional director, UKTI North West said: “We are just half way through the Festival and the response so far has been fantastic.  A world of opportunity is available here, whatever the size of your business and whatever your export ambitions.

“Our events have covered markets from Ethiopia to Egypt, and from Slovakia to Singapore, with plenty more to come in the next three weeks.

“I have moved my office to Liverpool for the duration of the festival, and seen plenty of enthusiastic delegates meeting experts from all over the world.  I am sure that plenty of business is being done in this fantastic setting.“

“We are only half way through the Festival and further UKTI events are coming up on India, China and Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea as well events covering international opportunities in the Food& Drink, Business & Professional Services and Creative& Digital Sectors.

“I have just completed my first Export Clinic, which are free workshops where companies can drop in and get all their export questions answered.  I am also going to be hosting more on 8th and 16th July.  There will also be a constant UKTI presence at the IFB Hub on Mann Island until the end of the festival on 22nd July.“

“The Hub is also providing a dedicated trading floor where country representatives, embassies and international delegates will be available,  providing an opportunity to meet people from over 80 different countries right on the doorstep, and to help companies make sure their contacts are the right ones. 

"I would really encourage businesses to make time for this unique opportunity and look forward to seeing you all there.“

The North West Building Consultancy team at CBRE has more than doubled in size in the last three years alone, with 20 staff now working in the team. 

This follows the appointment of James Dyson from Delloite, taking a role of Surveyor based in the Manchester office.

According to the firm this ‘marked growth’, is unusual in recent challenging times, is a positive indicator to the regional property market that recovery is well underway.

The team, which operates from offices in Manchester and Liverpool, is headed up by Angela Seddon who has been with the CBRE business for some 17 years. Angela has recruited 10 people to her team in the last 3 years in response to market growth.

Angela comments: “The market in Manchester is unique from a regional perspective as it has seen the most interesting growth in recent years. The local market has been boosted by inward investment and occupier interest, with the movement of large occupiers ensuring that the cycle continues to gather pace and growth is encouraged. 

"We have responded to this regional growth by expanding the services we offer in-house to include Mechanical & Electrical Engineering including Vertical Transportation and EPC Specialists and Cost Consultancy services and are actively developing other areas to meet the evolving needs of clients.“

“We have a policy to only hire the best in the business and, what is particularly unusual within the industry, is that the average age of our team is mid-thirties which has helped us to maintain a dynamic, commercial approach in often challenging and fast-moving scenarios.“

Recent projects that CBRE’s Building Consultancy team has been involved in include; The design and project management of New Balance’s new 30,000 sq ft EMEA HQ building in Warrington, the refurbishment of the BREEAM Excellent rated 3 Hardman Square office building in Manchester City Centre, an ongoing monitoring role on large developments part-funded by the North West Evergreen Fund and live current work on all of Liverpool’s Three Graces which incorporates Liverpool City Council’s new 35,000 sq ft office fit-out at the Cunard Building.

Sheffield’s SIG plc, a distributor of specialist building products in Europe, today announces that it has acquired Inatherm BV, a specialist distributor of air handling products based in the Netherlands.

The consideration for the acquisition comprises an up-front cash payment of €4.7 million, deferred cash consideration of €0.7 million payable in January 2016; and earn-out cash consideration of up to €2.0 million dependent on the performance of the business over the period to 31 December 2016. 

For the financial year ended 31 December 2013 Inatherm BV made a profit before tax of €0.6 million.  Gross assets were €1.8 million as at 31 December 2013. 

This infill acquisition further strengthens the Group’s position in the Mainland European air handling market, where it already has a significant presence through Air Trade Centre and Ouest Ventil. 

Inatherm BV is being sold by Triple R Holding, which is owned by the current management team who will remain with the business and join SIG.

C & A Pumps & Engineering Limited is the latest company to Tees Valley Enterprise Zone, resulting in expansion of its premises and the creation of 10 new jobs.

The firm which provides specialist design and build pumping and monitoring systems, will create 10 new jobs as part of its expansion plans at Hartlepool’s Rivergreen Business Centre within Queens Meadow Business Park.

It brings the total number of jobs being created at Queens Meadow to almost 100 since it was granted Enterprise Zone status two years ago.

The award-winning firm was previously located in the UK Steel Enterprise Innovation Centre and the move to its new 4,400 sq ft premises will enable to business to expand.

Alan Roberts, managing director of C & A Pumps & Engineering Limited said: “The Rivergreen Business Centre offers us the ideal location to expand our business in a prestigious environment that fits with our growing client base and has good access to the major road network.”

The company - which won the Tees Valley Best New Business for 2013 and Most Promising New Business at the Hartlepool Business Awards 2014 – has an strong client base including Huntsman Tioxide, Ministry of Defence, Heerema, PD Ports, Northumbrian Water, along with a string of public sector and house building companies.  

It also has global contracts and clients in India, Zimbabwe & Malta.

Alan continued: “It’s a really exciting time for the company and our new premises will enable us to have our engineering and office space in the same location.

“We’ll be able to build our systems in our own premises for the first time and customers will be able to see them working prior to installation.”

Councillor Robbie Payne, chair of Hartlepool Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “The Enterprise Zones do offer excellent incentives to companies and I’m delighted that C & A Pumps & Engineering Limited is expanding in Hartlepool and creating extra jobs.

“This is a very diverse company providing high-skilled engineering jobs for local people and it’s great to see that they have recently taken two apprentices on as well.”

Alan Roberts, Managing Director of C & A Pumps and Engineering Limited is pictured (second from right) outside the company’s new premises. Also pictured from the left are Israr Hussain, Economic Development Officer with Hartlepool Council, Stephen Catchpole, Managing Director of Tees Valley Unlimited, Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Leader of Hartlepool Council and Peter Candler, Managing Director of Rivergreen Developments plc.

A fashion entrepreneur from County Durham has launched her own equestrian fashion wear business - Aztec Diamond Equestrian (UK) Ltd.

Jordan McCabe, 18 from Stanley Crook in County Durham has set up her own equestrian fashion label which is attracting the attention on an international scale.

Having given up a textiles course to pursue her dream of running an equestrian fashion label at the tender age of 17, the dedicated show jumper is now selling her range of clothing to hundreds of customers via her online shop and a growing number of specialist retailers.

Riding every day since the age of eight, Jordan was well aware of how expensive most riding clothing could be and decided to create a range that was both stylish and affordable.

Jordan initially turned to the Ready for Business programme, an investment readiness programme delivered in the North East by enterprise agency TEDCO Business Support, for support and advice in getting her business off the ground.

Business adviser James Craft offered general startup advice and encouragement and sign posted the young entrepreneur to specialist organisations who could provide expert help with manufacturing, production and export.

Jordan said: “I have always wanted to create high quality fashionable riding clothing at affordable prices having found over the years that many items were just too expensive.  As well as a love for horses, I have a real passion for fashion which is why I initially opted to study textiles at college.

“But my heart wasn’t in my college course and I was drawn to pursuing my dream of setting up my own fashion label.  With my mum’s support, I turned to Ready for Business for help and advice and instantly clicked with James.  When we first met, the business consisted of little more than my designs and my ideas, but he helped me to organise my thoughts and recognise what I needed to do and where I would need to enlist specialist help and support.

“His encouragement was really important to someone as young as I am - knowing that someone who has helped a number of other businesses to succeed believes in your idea instils you with a huge amount of confidence.“