Tag: business

Sunderland Events Company Consolidate Brands

By on 17th February 2016in Local Biz

A leading North East events company is consolidating its various elements under one umbrella brand…

SoL, which is being rolled out from this month, brings together the Stadium of Light, National Glass Centre, 1879 Events Management and the new Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland.

It has been specifically created to showcase how these key players in the region’s catering and hospitality sector combine to create a complete event solution.

The Stadium of Light, which was named the North of England’s finest commercial tourism venue at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence, is one of the largest conference, banqueting and events venues in the region, with the flexibility to cater for everything from large-scale presentations to graduation ceremonies and concerts.

Its sister site, National Glass Centre, is equally flexible, with purpose built, interconnecting exhibition spaces and contemporary suites offering views across the River Wear.

SoL will be used to highlight the partnership between the two venues and to showcase how they can cater for up to 1000 guests.  It will also serve to symbolise how the same high standards of service and first-class food options can be expected at both sites.

The new SoL brand, which will feature on all marketing materials, will also encompass the Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland hotel, which is expected to open in spring 2016.

Currently under construction next to the Stadium of Light, the property will feature 141 stylish en-suite bedrooms, as well as a destination bar, grill restaurant and private dining areas.

It has been specifically designed to support functions at the stadium and National Glass Centre by offering high quality accommodation, but will also boast its own dedicated conference and event facilities, including a 24-hour business centre and three meeting rooms with space for up to 50 delegates.

1879 Events Management, which currently manages all catering and events at the Stadium of Light and National Glass Centre, will now also be recognised as a SoL subsidiary.

The company, which was awarded silver in the Operations Team of the Year category at the Stadium Events and Hospitality Awards, has a proven track record of working with regional, national and international event organisers at both venues, as well as offering all-inclusive event management services at external sites across the North East.

In recent months this has included catering for the annual clay pigeon shooting event for national law firm, Bond Dickinson, the Teesside Business Awards and leading LGBT festival Newcastle Pride, attended by 71,000 visitors.

Gary Hutchinson, Commercial Director for SAFC, said: “The sheer scale of services being offered by National Glass Centre, the Stadium of Light and 1879 Events Management has grown at a remarkable rate in the past few years and, with the addition of the Hilton Garden Inn, looks set to expand even further.

“SoL has been created to bring together all the elements of our portfolio and to highlight how we can offer a complete solution for all manner of corporate and private events.

“The new brand will be utilised widely from this month, and we hope it will become a shining symbol for Sunderland’s hospitality and events sector.”

For more information about the venues, event management services, hotel and packages being offered under SoL, call 0871 911 1555 or email conf&banq@safc.com.

Any enquiries relating solely to the Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland should be directed to Catherine Graham on 0191 551 5110 or catherine.graham@hilton.com.

Northern Powerhouse: Just Another Fad?

By on 17th February 2016in Have Your Say

Leading business figures, politicians and academics recently delivered a lively – and hotly contested – debate on the merits of a Northern Powerhouse for the North East…

 

Unedited Conversations: Towards a Northern Powerhouse?, was held at Newcastle Business School and chaired by Lucy Winskell OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business & Engagement) at Northumbria University.

The panel included Simon Henig, CBE, Leader of Durham County Council, Jeremy Middleton, CBE, Director of Middleton Enterprises LTD, John Fenwick, Professor Emeritus Leadership and Public Sector Management, Northumbria University, Andy Pike, Professor of Local and Regional Development, Newcastle University and Keith Shaw, Professor of Politics, Northumbria University.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has said that building a Northern Powerhouse “is a revolution in the way we govern England”. Key to the policy is the devolution of more power to the regions from central Government, including the creation of directly elected majors. Devolution is seen by many as an opportunity to re-balance the UK economy, offering regions like the North East greater prosperity, life chances and health and social parity with London and the South.

There is, however, disagreement on whether a push for a Northern Powerhouse is the best way to achieve this.

While some on the panel advocated the need for an elected major as a driving force and strong voice for the whole region, others argued there would be a lack of trust in such a powerful individual, even when it was an elected position.

The Northern Powerhouse was described by one panel member as a “big idea with breath-taking ambition” that could make the North as rich as the South and give young people the same life chances. Another, however, asked whether it was merely a “brand and fashionable label that had become the latest flavour of the month, but that would wither on the vine.”

Challenges ahead were also identified, including competition from an increasingly devolved Scotland and the North East’s capacity to deliver on any potential benefits in a continuing era of austerity and public sector cuts.

Doctor Lorraine Johnston, Senior Lecturer at Newcastle Business School and event organiser, said: “Assembling such an esteemed panel of speakers made for an insightful, productive and at times feisty debate, and we were delighted with the enthusiasm of both the speakers and the audience. Despite the differences of opinion, one area of consensus was that this is an incredibly important issue that will affect us all. Politicians, businesses, academics and the media therefore need to engage far more with the general public. Hopefully this event has contributed to the debate, and will help move it forward.”

In October 2015, the North East Combined Authority – covering County Durham, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland – signed an agreement with the Government to take on more powers. The deal included a financial commitment for the region to receive £30 million a year over the next 30 years, and for North East voters to choose a directly elected major by 2017. A similar deal has been announced in Tees Valley.

We want to know what YOU think about the Northern Powerhouse. Leave your comments below!

Letting Agency Introduce Unique Property Matchmaking Service

By on 16th February 2016in Local Biz

North East based letting agency, My Property Box, has launched its new property matchmaking services for landlords and tenants…

The company’s unique new service aims to help landlords and tenants find their perfect match through its exclusive search criteria and the properties’ lonely heart descriptions.

To celebrate the launch of this exclusive idea, the forward thinking company has pledged to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

It is the agency’s managing director and property manager, Ben Quaintrell, who came up with the innovative idea, and he is thrilled to be announcing the new, one-of-a-kind concept.

He said: “We want to bring a bit of fun into the industry, because we know how stressful searching for both properties and tenants can be, so we came up with this idea of being property matchmakers.

“Our new matchmaking services effectively make us appear like a dating agency for properties, and whether you are a landlord or a tenant, we want to help you find your perfect match.

“To add to the excitement of the launch, we’ve also decided to donate £10 for every property let in the month of February to the British Heart Foundation, because not only is it a great charity, but the heart theme matches our new services.”

The nation’s heart charity, British Heart Foundation, is the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research.

Assistant manager of the British Heart Foundation’s Darlington branch, Pat Horton, said: “We really appreciate any donations we receive. From money to clothes to furniture, it can all be used to help the British Heart Foundation in some way. Every little helps.

“We are very thankful for the donation My Property Box has pledged to us, because without help from the local community and businesses, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

To add to the launch of the company’s new dating services, the agency has also invested in a new website.

Ben said: “We are a modern agency, and we needed our website to represent this and portray our new services in the best way possible.

“We are the only agency in the region to offer this type of service, and it feels amazing to see the company expanding, and the team and I are excited to see where these new services will take us.”

My Property Box prides itself on being an online agency, and Ben is always looking to the future, thinking about the next steps to take for the business.

He continued: “We currently cater for the whole of the North East, but I want to see us grow into a national company, and our new, unique services will help us achieve this.”

To find out more about the ingenious letting agency or its new services, visit www.mypropertybox.co.uk or follow @MyPropBox on Twitter.

Management Consultancy Brings Six Associate Directors On Board

By on 16th February 2016in Local Biz

A Teesside-based management consultancy business has expanding significantly by taking on board six associate directors from across the North East and Yorkshire…

Focus On Success Ltd., whose goal is to improve businesses in the region, has appointed Bob Marris, Andy Knowles, Kevin Newson, Meg Heath, Sarah Dunwell and Lisa Lockey.

As experienced business owners and advisers themselves, the team will work alongside individual companies within their own areas of expertise, offering the help and advice needed to ensure each one is successful.

The recent appointments have come as a result of Focus On Success seeing a significant rise in the demand for its services.

Managing director Gary Lumby MBE said: “We have been placing non-executive directors and chairmen into SMEs across the North East and Yorkshire for the last four years.

“The success of our appointments and the impact they have made on the businesses they are working with means the demand for our services has expanded rapidly, with many more SMEs wanting to go down this route.

“SMEs and their professional advisors are starting to understand the benefits of having a non-executive director on their board – as part of an extended management team – and are realising this is a really low cost option to help grow any business.”

Between them, the six professionals boast a rather impressive skill set, with each member having been brought into the company to oversee a specific area of business.

Bob Marris, whose expertise lies around strategic business planning, and who has previously managed and delivered government backed business support initiatives across the region, believes the team will be able to make a significant impact on businesses in the area.

He said: “Being part of a group with such a range of skills and expertise is very powerful, much more so than being a ‘one man band’.”

Finance director Lisa Lockey has held a number of board posts over the last 15 years, and has experience in a variety of sectors for multimillion pound companies.

“I’m really looking forward to working with companies with ambition, who recognise that they can use the experience of a non-executive director,” she said.

“I can’t wait to play a part in helping them reach their goal quicker, and may even help them avoid some costly mistakes along the way.”

Andy Knowles, managing director of Jak Inc Ltd, has a proven track record of building both online and offline award-winning business models.

He said: “It’s a great team to be a part of because we have such a great variety of business knowledge among us.

“I hope to be able to bring what I have learned over the last 20 years into the group, and also the companies I will be working with, and I’m looking forward to sharing my stories and learnings with my new clients.”

Focus On Success has already hit the ground running, and Gary is looking forward to what the future holds for the business and the one-of-a-kind service it offers.

“Focus On Success is the only company I know offering to put non-executive directors into SMEs through a group of experienced business leaders who are all connected, and will use their collective knowledge and contacts to help those SMEs,” said Gary.

“I strongly believe this is far better than contracting with just one individual non-executive director, because companies will get the collective experience and networks of the whole group.

“I am looking forward to seeing the family of SMEs we currently work with increase over the year, and to see them all benefiting from the great ideas and advice which our non-executive directors will provide.”

For more information on Focus on Success, visit www.focus-on-success.co.uk.

Top Dentist Warns White Teeth Obsession Suggests Body Dysmorphia

By on 15th February 2016in Lifestyle

One of the UK’s top cosmetic dentists has warned that the obsession for white teeth can be an indicator of a form of body dysmorphia…

A preoccupation with the colour of teeth is commonly recognised as a symptom of BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder), a psychological condition where sufferers are fixated about certain aspects of their appearance.

And Dr Ken Harris, of Riveredge Cosmetic Dentistry, which has surgeries in both Sunderland and Newcastle, warns that those desperate for bright white teeth should steer clear of using home treatments or the excessive use of whitening toothpastes which can leave them with severe dental problems.

“Whitening toothpastes do not work,” said Dr Harris.

“They clean off surface stains, but do not touch ugly deep staining, and they are also very abrasive so can wear the enamel off teeth, causing significant damage.”

Dr Harris added that people obsessed with having perfect white teeth often use abrasive pastes and brush aggressively, which can lead to damage.

“No amount of tooth brushing can whiten teeth,” he said.

The abrasive nature of toothpaste is measured by RDA – Relative Dentine Abrasivity – and in 2012 the British Dental Journal said that toothpastes with an RDA of more than 100 were considered abrasive and could damage teeth and gums.

A number of popular whitening toothpastes on the market have an RDA in excess of 100 so are leaving people in danger of potentially damaging their teeth.

Dr Harris said that many people also try to use a variety of substances ranging from lemons to strawberries in the belief their teeth will get whiter.

“None of these processes work,” he said.

“The best way to get a proper and safe whitening treatment is to see a dentist, not attempt it on your own.

“A dentist will also give proper advice on what is suitable and what isn’t, rather than people buying treatments off the internet which simply won’t work, and may even be harmful.”

Dr Harris added that teeth get more yellow with age, and trying to combat this with excessive brushing or whitening toothpaste will, again, just not work.

“The dentine beneath our enamel becomes tougher and more dense over the years, and, as such, it gradually becomes darker in colour,” he said.

“Dentine is the part of the tooth beneath the outer enamel layer of teeth, and therefore can not be reached by toothpaste or brushing.

“The only way to whiten teeth is to get the bleach to soak through the enamel into the deeper dentine where it will do its job.”

Multi-award winner Dr Harris is respected across the globe for his expansive knowledge on cosmetic dentistry, and he regularly teaches around the world.

He is one of only two Fellows of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (BACD) which involves him teaching other dentists around the UK. He is a full member of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry (BAAD), and regularly teaches USA dentists at the world-renowned Kois Center programme in Seattle.

He regularly travels to North America and Canada, delivering lectures on aesthetic dentistry to practitioners in New York, Vancouver, San Francisco, Orange County, Fresno and San Diego in his role as the Clinical Director for California Centre for Advanced Dental Studies.

His award-winning team also provides general dentistry. For further information, visit www.riveredge.co.uk.

Prestwick Care Home Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

By on 13th February 2016in Lifestyle

Champagne corks were popping as one of the first residents to move into the North East’s newest residential care home hit a birthday milestone…

Grandmother of eight, Norah Wilson, moved into purpose-built Melton House, Gosforth, Newcastle, just a few weeks ago.

As the former shop worker turned 100, staff at the home, owned by Newcastle-based Prestwick Care, joined Norah’s friends and family to make sure the occasion went with a swing.

Not only did they bake her a cake and lay on a birthday tea, but they also invited the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Newcastle, Cllr Ian and Margaret Graham, to join in the celebrations.

And, in keeping with tradition, a greeting from HM The Queen took pride of place among Norah’s flowers and cards.

“It was a fantastic day,” said Norah’s son Robert, 63, from Fenham. “The staff pulled out all the stops and made sure she had a lovely time.”

Margaret Burn, manager of the 67-bedroom home, built on the site of the former Northumberland Records Office, overlooking Gosforth racecourse, said: “In the short time we have been open, the staff and residents have become like one, happy, family.

“Norah is a wonderful lady and we were delighted to join her family in celebrating her special birthday.”

Melton House provides residential care, as well as general and dementia nursing, and boasts a range of services and facilities, including in-house physiotherapy, a cinema, full laundry service and hairdressing salon.

For further information visit www.prestwickcare.co.uk.

Peterlee Training Firm Expands Into Yorkshire

By on 12th February 2016in Local Biz

A North East-headquartered training firm has made its first foray into Yorkshire after winning a clutch of new contracts in the county…

Peterlee-based KF Training has expanded rapidly since it was launched in 2011, opening two more outlets in the North East as work flooded in.

Now the company has clinched deals with several Yorkshire firms, and is in the process of recruiting staff to service the extra workload.

One of the contracts is with Sheffield-based stainless steelmaker Outokumpu, which is putting many of its first line supervisors through KF Training’s leadership and management programme. Eventually the programme will be rolled out to 113 staff in Sheffield. Outokumpu has its headquarters in Finland and employs more than 11,000 employees in 30 countries including Scandinavia, Europe, North America and Asia.

Barbara Ayres, HR Manager at Outokumpu, said: “We are continually looking at ways of improving the skills base of our employees in our business, and we highlighted a training need within our first line supervisory team. As a result of our partnership with KF Training, more than 100 of our people will get an opportunity to learn special techniques that will help them develop and improve the performance of their respective teams.

“This will be vital as we look to succeed in an ever more competitive environment in the stainless steel and advanced materials markets.”

KF Training delivers business-focused skills programmes and consultancy services across the North of England. Headquartered in Peterlee, County Durham, the fast-growing business was launched in 2011 by Managing Director Kelly Lee, and now employs 52 people. With four specialist training divisions covering innovation, leadership and management, continuous improvement and business skills, KF Training has helped dozens of clients to build strong, dynamic businesses and develop a highly skilled workforce.

Sara O’Brien, Commercial Director at KF Training, said: “Our partnership with Outokumpu is one of several contract wins for us in Yorkshire, which is a key part of our growth strategy. We discovered that this part of the country has a range of training needs in key growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare technologies, creative and digital, life sciences and low-carbon technologies.

“We are currently recruiting staff who can help us achieve our goal of building our presence in Yorkshire.”

For further information about KF Training, visit www.kftraining.co.uk, call 0191 518 6830 or e-mail info@kftraining.co.uk.

County Durham Hotel Set To Save £250,000 In Energy Bills

By on 11th February 2016in Local Biz

The Ramside Hall Hotel & Golf Club is set to make a six-figure saving on its energy bills after forging an alliance with a cost management specialist…

Nine months ago, the prestigious leisure venue entered a three-year contract with Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) in a bid to cut its soaring energy bills, which amount to around £800,000 a year. Since then, Seaham-based GAS has renegotiated Ramside’s electricity and gas contracts, resulting in a saving of more than £60,000.

Over the period of the contract, Ramside will expect to make savings of up to £250,000, which will allow the company to reinvest the money in other parts of the business. The hotel is currently in the middle of a £16m investment programme, which has seen the opening of a brand new luxury spa, a second championship golf course, and a new wing of 47 premier rooms with state-of-the-art bathrooms. The expansion plans have already created around 100 jobs at Ramside, which now employs more than 400 people.

John Adamson, Managing Director at Ramside Estates, said: “We’re well on the way to establishing the hotel as one of the most exciting leisure destinations in the region. However, while we’ve invested a significant amount of money in new facilities, we’re also conscious of the need to keep costs under control, which is why we’ve teamed up with Great Annual Savings Group.

“They’ve helped us to secure a good deal on our utility bills, which has given us extra security and cashflow visibility at a time when energy prices are quite volatile.”

GAS helps businesses reduce their variable costs and save money in a range of areas including energy procurement, energy and water cost management, fire safety, telecoms and insurance. The company has built up a portfolio of more than 950 customers, which include Ramside, food service distributor Tyneside Foodservices, and the Parkmore Hotel in Eaglescliffe.

Bradley Groves, chief executive and chairman of Great Annual Savings Group, said: “In this era of austerity, cost control is just as important as generating revenue and new business. Through our negotiations with key suppliers, Ramside has been able to make significant savings that will improve its financial performance – with the prospect of further savings to come.”

GAS has also embarked on a major investment programme that has seen the firm treble headcount to more than 100 in the last twelve months.  As well as an expanding team of Business Solutions Managers, a raft of new senior staff have now joined the business, strengthening the management team in preparation for further expansion.

For further information about Great Annual Savings Group, visit www.greatannualsavings.com.

Aycliffe Recruitment Agency Celebrates Successful First Year

By on 11th February 2016in Local Biz

A North East recruitment agency, which was established from square one, is celebrating a successful first year in business…

Fleet Recruitment – based in Newton Aycliffe – was set up by Neil O’Connor after he became disheartened with the industry during his time as a sales director.

Having been made redundant, and with barely a penny to his name, Neil took the plunge and decided to start up his own business. Within the first 12 months, Fleet Recruitment has already expanded into a larger office and strengthened its team.

Neil said: “It really has been amazing to see what we’ve already achieved, and so quickly as well.

“To start a company from scratch, and to have to expand into a larger office and add staff members after a few months of trade is something I’m really proud of, and it just goes to show the need for our very different service.”

Fleet Recruitment specialises in recruiting candidates for jobs in sales and marketing, engineering, automotive, commercial and the legal sector, currently employing five highly experienced consultants.

The company prides itself on understanding its clients and the impact new employees need to have, both operationally and financially. This is achieved by carrying out robust fact finding with its clients, and by thorough screening and in-depth interviews with candidates, where they drill into competencies and any claims made on a candidate’s CV. This helps to manage expectations on both a candidate’s and client’s side.

Neil believes this vigorous process and its straightforward approach has resulted in the agency’s successful first year.

He said: “Fleet Recruitment was founded from nothing, and has quickly become a trusted, highly regarded business built around core values of honesty, transparency, fairness and great communication. We make no promises other than our four values.

“This simple and honest approach has been very well received, and we have secured contracts with some outstanding UK national brand names, as well as many local businesses.”

Fleet Recruitment expanded into its current office after just six months of trade, and plans to use the space to continue to grow.

“The new office is ideal, as it gives us the option to expand within the building – something we definitely envisage in the future,” said Neil.

“Our aim is to be regarded as a business that is honest, transparent, fair and easy to do business with, with a team of people who love what they do and who all share the wealth and success.”

To find out more about Fleet Recruitment, visit www.fleetrecruitment.co.uk or follow them on Twitter.

Farmer Handed £2,000 Fine For Felling Ancient Trees

By on 9th February 2016in In & Around

A farmer has been ordered to pay out more than £2,000 after he cut down trees in an ancient woodland Conservation Area, blocking a public footpath…

 

Leslie Ford, 71, of Hollinside Farm, Whickham, was fined £2,322.31 by Peterlee magistrates following a prosecution brought by Durham County Council.

The court heard authority officers received several complaints in April 2015 about Ford felling a number of trees in ancient woodland classed as a Conservation Area and owned by the council at Bryan’s Leap in Burnopfield.

The ancient woodland is at least 400 years old. The felled trees, which were mostly Oaks, were around 100 years old.

In cutting down the trees, Ford had blocked a public footpath which runs through the woodland.

The farmer, who owns fields adjoining the woodland, pleaded not guilty to three charges of damaging trees in a Conservation Area, and one of obstructing a public footpath.

Appearing for trial on Friday 5th February, he denied felling the trees, saying vandals or trespassers must have been responsible. Ford also disputed the trees were within the Conservation Area.

However, magistrates found him guilty of all charges and handed him the fine, which will be paid to the council to cover the costs of clearing up the felled trees and bringing the case to court.

Adrian White, Durham County Council’s head of transport and contract services, said: “Ford’s actions in cutting down trees in an ancient woodland and blocking a footpath were reckless and caused lasting harm to a site which is protected by law.

“We welcome the fine handed out by the court, which should act as a warning that we will not tolerate damage like this.”

ADVERTISERS