26th August 2010 - Recruitment Drive At Teesside Transport Firm

A Teesside transport company has taken on four new staff in response to increased workloads.

Billingham-based Nicholson’s Transport has employed two new drivers and additional positions in its warehouse and transport office, taking the total workforce to 26.

The recruitment drive comes as Nicholson’s experiences an upturn in its workload, which should see its freight quantities increase by 10% over the year.

Kris Marsay, managing director of Nicholson’s Transport, said: “We have been able to recruit due to additional work on the transport side. We ran a tight ship during the recession and that paid off because we are now seeing more work coming in.

“With the new staff we are capable of handling greater capacity, offering a better service and staying one step ahead of the competition. The new appointments will enhance the levels of service received by our customers.”

Nicholson’s Transport is part The Nicholson Group, which comprises of transport and warehousing businesses in Billingham and Doncaster, lorry-mounted crane operator Nicholson Hiab, training company Learning In Logistics, storage firm Box Clever and The Pheasant Cookery School.

As with all Nicholson Group employees, the new staff will be provided with continuous training throughout their career.

Mr Marsay added: “Training has always been very much part of the culture here because we want to have highly skilled staff who have the qualifications and attitude to deliver a great service to our customers.

“Having Learning In Logistics as part of the Nicholson Group, means the quality of the training we offer has been significantly enhanced.”

Nicholson’s Transport has also expanded into new service areas by offering a hazardous parcel delivery service, which specialises in the transport of fragile and sensitive goods.

It is also developing a 24/7 drop-in service for people looking to transport goods they have sold through E-Bay and other internet auction sites.

Mr Marsay said: “It’s for the convenience of people who may not have the time to get to the post office but need to get large and bulky goods around the country.”

24th August 2010 - A New World Dawns For Newcastle Film Production Company

Leading video and film production company, Pyramid Media UK, is living in wonderland after winning a contract with Walt Disney Studios to direct and produce specialty content for some of this year’s biggest blockbusters.

Pyramid Media UK (PMUK) founders, Daymon Britton and Jamie Hutchinson, were ecstatic when they were asked by Disney earlier this year to fly to Los Angeles to produce content behind the scenes at a photo session with rising star Liam Hemsworth in the lead up to the theatrical release of ”The Last Song.”

The content is designed to give viewers the chance to learn more about the studio’s newest actors – features are uploaded onto popular social media sites to help generate excitement around theatrical releases worldwide.

Since the beginning of the year, PMUK has written, directed and produced eight pieces for three Disney features, including “The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, which was released in the UK last week.

Fredi Edwards, Executive Director of Creative PR Materials for the studio, has enjoyed working with PMUK. She said: “We initially commissioned Pyramid Media to produce a short behind the scenes piece featuring Liam Hemsworth for “The Last Song”.

“We found Daymon’s energy to be infectious and coupled with Jamie’s camera work they presented a perfect solution to what we were looking for. We hope to continue our work with Pyramid on some very exciting future releases.”

Britton and Hutchinson, who met when they were just 16 at North Tyneside College studying for a BTEC in Performing Arts and Video, have had the opportunity to work with some of Disney’s biggest stars and film makers.

After leaving college Britton opted for a career in front of the camera, starring in “School for Seduction”, with Kelly Brook; a part in “Byker Grove” as Dom Meredith; and playing Sean Hocknell in Sky One’s football drama, “Dream Team”. Meanwhile Hutchinson preferred to stay behind the camera and attended Surrey Institute of Design for a film and video degree. He then started on the first rung of the ladder as a runner on “Dream Team”.

Britton, who is married with two children and lives in Ryton, Tyne and Wear, said: “It has been absolutely fantastic to work with the Disney team and be involved with some of this year’s biggest films. It was a particularly surreal moment for PMUK to be invited to the offices of Bruckheimer films in order to conduct interviews and capture behind the scenes footage in the run up to “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and “The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time”.
However, PMUK has not just travelled the world with Disney; their work with leading interactive education providers, Promethean, has taken them to Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai.

Hutchinson, 32, who grew up in Whitely Bay and now lives in Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland, said: “When we started the business just over two years ago, Promethean was one of our first clients and we have continued to build our relationship as we grow. We are really excited about the future of Pyramid Media as we are continuing to foster relationships with marketing agencies in the region as well as clients across the world - it is an incredibly exciting time for us.”

For further information log onto http://www.pyramidmediauk.com/3 or contact the team on 0191 265 0062.

13th August 2010 - Region mourns the loss of a small business hero

The region’s small business community is mourning the loss of one of its most proactive champions, John McNally.

John was managing director and a presenter at Northumberland broadcaster Lionheart Radio and was also a regular contributor to Radio Newcastle.

However, his real passion was supporting the needs of the region’s small businesses.

As well as his roles as a director at both car finance company gcf.com and Consett-based Fotospin, he mentored many small businesses and start-ups and was a long-standing member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum for many years.

Gerard, a colleague of John at GCF.com, said: “John’s passion for helping businesses was unrivalled and he was never happier than when mentoring small or start up businesses.

“His extensive networking knowledge helped many businesses in the region to grow. He would nurture new businesses and young minds and made sure that they were thrown in at the deep end so that they could learn the ways of the business world as fast as possible.

“That said, he was always there to help out when needed. John would always champion the North East and he was an outstanding ambassador for the region. John may have died, but the seeds he left in the region are very much alive in the small business community and will keep growing as a lasting tribute to a great man.”

John’s funeral service was held yesterday at St Pauls Church in Alnwick.

Text courtesy of www.bdaily.info

11th August 2010 - hedgehog lab revs up Nissan subsidiary Infiniti's car launch

Software development company hedgehog lab has created an iPad app to gather feedback at the international launch of Infiniti’s latest car Infiniti M. Infiniti is a luxury car division of Japanese automaker Nissan.

Newcastle-based hedgehog lab - a small business software company – helped Infiniti discard the traditional pen and paper questionnaire and instead survey dealer opinion on the Japanese car giant’s latest model in an event held in Barcelona, Spain, via the latest technology.

hedgehog lab, which operates out of creative media hub Hoults Yard in Byker, created a bespoke iPad app to showcase the launch of the Infiniti M, which allowed dealers to view the car’s marketing brochure and respond to a questionnaire with the slide and tap of a finger.

Using the latest technology on the iPad, Infiniti M dealers could rate the drive and performance of the car against competitors on a slide bar scale using the touch-enabled iPad app.

The car was assessed on four main areas: design, innovation, comfort and quality.

The app meant that data could be analysed in real-time, cutting down on printing costs of a glossy brochure and gave the global launch the innovation factor, impressing delegates with the use of cutting-edge technology.

hedgehog lab co-founder Mark Forster said: “What we have developed is a really unique marketing method for Infiniti and a more efficient way of gathering and analysing data in real-time.

“To our knowledge, we are the only company in the region to have done this sort of quirky marketing, using platforms like the iPad, but it is definitely something I can see taking off.

“hedgehog lab has been going for three years now and with major coups like working for a Nissan subsidiary, we are setting the company up for great things in the future. We have had very positive feedback from the client and are on our way to revolutionise the use of the iPad in the motor industry with potential upcoming projects for Volvo and Volkswagen.

“ From our office in Newcastle to Barcelona, it shows that our expertise is needed all over the world.”

11th August 2010 - Teamwork Bring Tech Benefits For Law Firm

A collaboration between Watson Burton LLP and technology experts ITPS has seen the law firm achieve a first in the northern region.

The firm’s in-house IT team worked alongside ITPS experts to configure Apple’s new lightweight iPad to access Watson Burton’s servers, giving staff mobile access to emails, client files, diaries and other back office data via the firm’s LawSoft practice management system.

Doing so enables staff to work from anywhere with an internet connection, without having to carry a laptop.

The firm’s mobile workers have previously used a laptop and a Citrix web gateway to access company information on the move. By downloading the Citrix receiver software from the app store and configuring an iPad, the team say they have transformed a gadget that is essentially aimed at the entertainment market into a technology tool with real business advantages.

The two organisations have worked together for over two years, and this is the latest in a series of technology advances developed by the team.

Watson Burton’s IT manager Jonathan Smith said: “We initially started testing the iPad in-house more to see what all the fuss was about than anything else, and to see how it could help when transporting lengthy documents on the move.

“After spending some time exploring the features we immediately saw the benefits that could be achieved if we could provide system access using such a neat device. We demonstrated it to senior management and got a very positive response. We now have several users around the business using the iPad ‘live’, and the feedback so far has been excellent, with comments such as ‘Take away my laptop, I’m using the iPad from now on.’ Based on the initial response we’re predicting that people will quickly see the business advantages and become converts.

“As our established IT partners, ITPS will be helping us to further develop the possibilities – we could see this become the way forward for mobile working across the business.

Kris Curran, a consultant at Gateshead-based ITPS added: “The project effectively means staff who are on the move are not faced with the option of either trying to work around the limitations of a smartphone, or carrying a chunky laptop. They now have all the functionality of both, in one powerful but easily portable device.

“Because the corporate network is based around a Citrix solution and all information is stored centrally, it’s still fully secure, even if an iPad should be stolen or lost.

“It’s a good example of how a strategic approach can take readily available technology and look at how it can be applied to make the business more flexible and efficient.

“It also shows that the iPad is not just a gimmick for gadget fans. Creating a hybrid between consumer and business opens up all kinds of exciting possibilities for Watson Burton in terms of workforce mobility and productivity, access to critical information, and speed of customer response.”

Watson Burton is committed to quality client service. The firm continually invests across the board in order to ensure that lawyers are best placed to deliver the fast and effective legal advice that its clients require.

10th August 2010 - Kudos for Kuro Dragon

A new animation studio based in Gateshead is already reaping success after only a few months trading and already looking to grow the business.

Kuro Dragon, based in Gateshead’s International Business Centre was launched in mid April by serial entrepreneur Stuart Howard. Using the latest animation software, Kuro Dragon are able to create unique, innovative promotional videos and adverts for use across all media platforms.

Having worked in the industry for over four years in his start up business straight from Northumbria University, Stuart saw a gap in the market to take this knowledge and experience in a new direction and capitalise on the benefits of animation.

Stuart said; “I’m really excited about the future for Kuro Dragon, we‘ve already had flattering interest from potential investors who have seen the potential of the business. We're already looking to expand and will be opening a London based office in the coming few weeks.”

Kuro Dragon recently fought off tough competition from some major players to undertake a project for Sunderland Software City. The six-minute-long animation, aimed at 11-17 year-olds and available on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFGmaFbufNs), sees a pair of teenagers discovering how a career in software can take them places they’d never imagined - like music, fashion, computer games, films and sport - and that people who work in the industry aren’t really geeks at all.

Sunderland Software City is the regional initiative supporting the growth of the software industry in the North East and Chief Executive Officer Bernie Callaghan says that building a talented workforce in the region is key to continuing the growth of the local software sector.

He said: “If the local software industry is going to continue its recent expansion we’re going to have to keep growing that talent pool, but we know a lot of young people are put off even thinking about a career in software because they think it has nothing to do with the things that interest them and it’s not somewhere people like them work.

“That couldn’t be further from the truth, and we thought an animated film would be an appealing and relevant way to set the record straight.

The film is designed to be shown in schools, where it can be accompanied by visits from local companies like those shown in the film – which includes local companies such as 4Projects, Isherwoods and Sonodrome - lesson plans where Key Stage 3 students can use software to design their own planet, and fun and interactive workshops.

John Hart at Sunderland Software City stated: ‘Stuart and his team have a wealth of experience between them and we were thrilled with the outcome. We have already had fantastic feedback on the animation and we look forward to continue to use this animation to promote jobs within software in the region.’

Stuart said on the film “We produced the 2D animation within a very tight time scale while collaborating with the talented guys at Yourfilm and Mudshark Audio to composite the final piece. We are extremely pleased with the outcome and will be entering the animation into upcoming national awards.”

5th August 2010 - Driving up standards to banish ‘white van man' image

A NEW transport training company is aiming to improve the image of the ‘white van man’ by driving up standards in the logistics sector.

Learning In Logisitics (LIL) offers bespoke training and development courses for anyone who drives commercially.

The Teesside company hopes to tap into the estimated 82,300 people in the North East who operate vehicles as part of their job, by offering training in everything from basic driving skills, to transporting hazardous goods and fuel efficiency.

LIL was formed in June and is part of the Billingham-based Nicholson Group, which oversees a series of transport and logistics interests across the north of England.

John Craig, Managing Director of LIL, said: “The number of people who drive as part of their job is huge – people tend to just think of bus and lorry drivers but there are delivery teams, council employees and contract workers too.

“There’s very little requirement for assessment of skills so inevitably we have the perception of the ‘white van man’ as unprofessional and taking risks on the road. At LIL we want to improve the image of drivers, especially those within small businesses.”

LIL is providing tailor-made training and development packages to any organisation that move goods or people as part of their business, including several North East councils. It has also teamed up with the insurance broker Hendersons to offer financial incentives to operators that organise planned training and annual assessments that lead to reduced accidents and injuries.

LIL is also partnering Hartlepool College of Further Education to deliver the Driver Continuous Professional Competency (CPC) qualification to lorry and bus drivers. The CPC aims to improve the knowledge and skill of drivers in terms of road safety, improved staff performance and more economical vehicle usage.

But while the CPC qualification is mandatory for PCV bus and LGV lorry operators, skills assessment for drivers of smaller vehicles remains at the discretion of employers.

Mr Craig, who has worked at within logistics for more than 20 years, added: “The vast majority of businesses in this sector are very small so they don’t necessarily know what to look for when recruiting new drivers.

“We are providing that service by helping employers to deliver the correct training and to implement procedures for recruiting suitably qualified drivers. We also offer operations training to give office-based staff awareness of the legislation around the carriage of dangerous goods and what documentation they need.”

He added: “I am thrilled to be leading this new venture and strongly believe that driver training delivers real impact and savings for small businesses by reducing road accidents, improving delivery times and reducing fuel consumption.”

LIL is holding a full-day Safe Loading and Securing course as part of the CPC qualification in Billingham on Saturday, August 14. To book a place on the course or to learn more about Learning In Logistics, call John Craig on 08450 609883 or email john@learninginlogistics.co.uk

4th August 2010 - New order from Singapore is icing on the cake of best half year ever

Fast growing electrical engineers Houghton International are proving that developing international trade will be a huge boost to the UK manufacturing sector by winning their first order from Singapore.

The company exhibited their high voltage coil products at a trade show in Florida in June, generating half a million dollars worth of enquiries which they hope to land over the next 6 months. This was financed by winning a £30,000 Horizons grant from UKTI.

This year the company has won new business out of Canada, Kuwait, Ireland and now Singapore with enquiries active across the Middle East, Asia and North America.

This success comes on the back of half year results that are the best the company has ever achieved and they are optimistic the 2^nd half of 2010 looks even stronger.

Houghton’s general manager, Craig Hutton, said the Singapore order was a welcome surprise:

“Singapore is not a market we have strategically targeted as our focus in the past 12 months has been on developing the Middle East and Canada, where we have agents on the ground, and the USA, the biggest market in the world for our high voltage products. So when this enquiry came in on the back of a referral from a supplier, we were over the moon.”

The Walker based firm expanded into a new 10,000sqft manufacturing facility in November and has gone from strength to strength in the first half of 2010 with sales increasing 20% on the same period last year. Houghton’s rail services business has taken new contracts from across the UK and expects its unique offering to life extend existing rolling stock will help them to accelerate growth over the next 5 years.

The company are looking to recruit skilled operatives across its three business divisions and has vacancies in electrical fitting, winding, finance, general administration and stock control.

28th July 2010 - Analox Seal Dutch Contract

A technology firm has landed a deal to keep submarine crews in the Dutch Navy safe when plumbing the depths of the world’s oceans.

North East-based Analox Sensor Technology, which supplies air monitoring equipment to the military and commercial diving markets, has launched a new portable product designed for use in submarines.

The company yesterday announced the Royal Netherlands Navy as its first major customer for the product.

Analox will supply nine of its Sub Aspidas for use on a fleet of four Dutch Walrus Class submarines.

Vicky Brown, sales and marketing director at Analox said: “The Royal Netherlands Navy requires accurate dual-gas monitoring in a compact unit, in an environment which is prone to fluctuations in atmospheric pressure.

“The Sub Aspida addresses this need, and ensures the submariners remain safe whilst at work.”

Stokesley-based Analox exports more than 60% of its products overseas.

Story courtesy of www.bdaily.info

22nd July 2010 - Transport Group Emerges Stronger From The Recession

A Tees Valley transport business has emerged stronger from one of its toughest ever challenges. Billingham-based Nicholson’s Transport increased market share by a quarter during the recession, at a time when many transport businesses were forced to close.

The company was also able to complete a restructure on schedule – forming the Nicholson Group - despite ending a long-standing relationship with its bank.

Group chairman David Nicholson said the company had come out of the downturn stronger and wiser. He said:

“This business has been through three recessions but this current one was so different in that the banks just shut-up shop despite what their PR teams were saying. We had been planning to restructure since 2007 and needed funding to achieve that, but the banks were extremely reluctant to lend against property and certainly didn’t want to hear from logistics firms. “That forced us to rethink all of our plans, but I’m pleased to say we have come through on schedule having learned some valuable lessons.”

Nicholson’s initially discussed its restructure plans with its bank in 2007 in an effort to bring greater independence and direction to its operations. But with bank support not a possibility, the 20-year-old firm sought alternative arrangements and has agreed to sell property at its base and lease back the site. That has helped the Nicholson Group clear its lending commitments while growing its existing business interests and investing in new ventures.

The Nicholson Group, which employs 50 staff, now comprises transport businesses in Billingham and Doncaster, a specialist Hiab (lorry-mounted cranes) operation and storage firm Box Clever.

The Group has also recently set up Learning in Logistics Limited, to serve the training needs of the logistics sector.

Mr Nicholson added: “We have delivered the restructure despite the banks saying we wouldn’t survive past December 2009. They didn’t want to understand our strategy for moving forward but we have achieved that regardless and paid back all bank borrowings.

“The recession has had a devastating impact on the logistics sector with many firms going under but there was no way we were going to roll over. We have actually come out far stronger with each of our companies independent and more client focused.

“The main lesson we have learned is to not have too many financial eggs in one basket. In future, we won’t have a situation where we rely too much on one funder, or indeed rely on banks at all. Instead we are spreading our risks and improving our relationships with different banks, and looking at alternative funding methods.”

Given Nicholson’s experiences, the company now plans to help other SMEs facing similar challenges. Please visit http://www.thenicholsongroup.co.uk/ for further information.

21st July 2010 - Research Business Spreads Global Reach

A legal research firm has revealed plans to expand into Asia and Australia after enjoying a 104% leap in sales, taking it beyond the £2m-a-year mark.

Newcastle-based Acritas, which supplies clients with evidence-based research into the legal market, is to target new business in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai as well as the major Australian cities. The firm currently has offices in London and New York and will add 12 new staff across the company.

Chief executive Lisa Hart said “We are currently working with 35 of the world’s top 100 law firms; our research is helping firms develop strategy and enhance business performance as they cope with today’s corporate environment.”

Acritas interviews in excess of 3000 senior legal buyers each year and provides critical intelligence from the survey data to heads of legal /general counsel with benchmarking data and law firm leaders with in depth market insight to enable them to develop strategy and meet client needs. The 12 new jobs have been funded by a GBI grant from One North East.

Story courtesy of www.bdaily.info

20th July 2010 - Explain To Lead Cancer Research Project

Explain has been appointed to carry out two cancer awareness measurement (CAM’s) projects with a combined value of over £100,000. The quantitative studies will be conducted across NHS Medway, Kent, Hull, The East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire/York and Lincolnshire; a combined total of 8,800 interviews across 8 PCT's.

Quotas have been applied to ensure a representative mix of ages, socio-economic groupings (SEG's), genders and ethnic groups, in-line with PCT population statistics.

The CAM study is designed to measure symptom awareness among the general public at regional and national level and it was developed by Cancer Research UK, University College London and University of Oxford in 2008. Survey results will guide the development of specific interventions to encourage health seeking behaviour and act as a baseline from which to measure improvement. Results will be presented in the summer and our work in both regions is part of an on-going partnership.

Kim Davis, research director, commented: “Along with other new contracts we have won, these two new projects have given revenues in the first quarter of the financial year, a real boost. Explain is now a well known brand across the UK health sector and we have seen excellent growth in the south of England. We know budgets will come under increasing pressure and it is vital we remain focussed on sectors of health that still need front line support.”

19th July 2010 - Noda's unintentional 'Marmite' Campaign....

Newcastle’s largest taxi company has provided its customers with an altogether different service, thanks to a radio advertisement, a bright idea from one radio listener and some very strong opinions.

Noda Taxis’ new radio advert has divided the North East ever since it first aired several months ago, and has become their very own ‘Marmite’ campaign; people either love it or hate it!

One Gateshead couple who loved the advert decided to go that extra mile to ensure their favourite advert could be heard time and again for their own amusement. David Coulson, 39, from Felling enjoyed listening to the advert so much that his wife Shirley Anne, 26, contacted Noda Taxis personally to see if she could get a copy sent to her.

Shirley Anne said “I wanted to get the ringtone for our anniversary, and decided to contact Noda directly. Almost immediately, I received an e-mail informing me that they would see what they could do. I never expected to hear anything back, but within a matter of days, we received an MP3 copy of the advert!”

David first heard the advert as he listened to the radio in his wagon whilst at work. It became a hit among his friends, who would raise a few laughs mimicking the advert. “I was over the moon when we received the ringtone”, he stated. “I had the biggest smile on my face, and was chuckling away to myself when I opened the e-mail.”

The ringtone has proved so popular among the couple’s friends and family members, either in a positive or negative way that there have been requests for it, and it has now become a big hit!

However, not everyone has found the advert amusing, and some members of the general public have been less than impressed with the new campaign. ‘Mr Cringed’ made sure he made his feelings clear with a personal e-mail message to Noda.

“Hello”, it began. “I heard your radio advertisement many times; it’s enough to make your potential customers sick. It made me cringe, and I’m sure everyone else will too. Whoever designed it needs a new job! I had to say it. Pass the sick bag!”

Eddy Binks, Noda’s Business Development Manager, said “We always appreciate feedback from the public, both positive and negative. If our campaigns get people talking, then that is fine by us! We were very happy to help the Couslons’, and are pleased that they are happy with the ringtone they now have on their phones”.

Fans who wish to hear the advert can visit www.noda-taxis.co.uk. Noda are Newcastle’s largest taxi firm and maintain a variety of vehicles available for all purposes. Their busiest office is conveniently located in the Central Station portico, and they have three other offices in the city including The Gate. For more information, or to make a booking, call 0191 222 1 888.

16th July 2010 - Explain appoint new quant researcher

Jill Pate has joined Explain as a researcher in the quantitative team, based at their head office in central Newcastle. With an academic background in Human Geography she is currently finishing off her Masters dissertation at Newcastle University and started work this month for Explain 3 days a week until she is able to commit to a full time position in September. In her dissertation she is looking at how urban regeneration can impact upon perceptions of fear in city centres using the recent regeneration of Old Eldon square as an example.

Jill’s main interest is in social research and in particular fields such as social exclusion and urban regeneration, having previously spent 3 years in planning research at Dickinson Dees. The list of clients she will work on at Explain will include Northumbrian Water, Home, Yorkshire Building Society, CE Electric and the NHS.

Explain is now an important provider of social insight to the NHS and emergency services across the UK and manages projects for Strategic Health Authorities, Fire and Rescue Services and PCT’s across the country. Earlier this month Explain won a High Commendation from judges at The Culture for Success awards after winning the award in 2008 and the company has seen its team of people and revenues continue to grow in a difficult trading climate.

Kim Davis, research director said, “I am looking forward to Jill joining Explain full time after her dissertation. She has just the blend of academic and practical experience we need and I think she will enjoy being involved in helping manage the research programmes for some of our major clients. We place great importance on each employee fully reflecting our brand values and Jill fits the bill in her new role in the quant team.”

15th July 2010 - Event company R&B builds on success with CIH

Despite the forecasts of doom and gloom all around, events, production and communication experts, R&B Group, have just completed a very successful conference project for the Chartered Institute of Housing.

The event, held in Harrogate in June, represents one of the largest gatherings of housing professionals in Europe, as they come together to debate and discuss the very real issues faced by the sector.

During the week thousands of delegates, presenters, exhibitors and visitors descend on the Harrogate International Centre.

To facilitate the audio-visual aspects of the conference, R&B provide a team of 30 engineers who work closely with the event organisers, Ocean Media Group and the venue technical staff.
2010 was the 9th year that R&B have provided support for this event, which is always a highlight of the year.

Project Manager and Director of R&B looks forward to this project each year and commented: “This year saw some significant changes to the event, brought about through budget implications and a constant drive to innovate. We introduced a live Twitter feed to the projection screen in the main auditorium which gave another channel of communication for delegates, presenters, media and of course, CIH staff.”

As well as AV support in 5 conference rooms, R&B Group also supplied numerous plasma screens to exhibition stands and produced a daily in-house/web TV programme, reporting on the breaking news from presenters, and interviews with the key movers and shakers in the sector.

The 3 day conference culminated in a session with the new housing minister, Rt. Hon. Grant Shapps MP, which saw him receive a clear message from delegates about their priorities for the new government.

15th July 2010 - Stepping Up To The Next Level Thanks To Angel Fund

A fashion footwear firm which allows buyers to design their own customised trainers is stepping up its growth following significant investment.

South Shields-based Mes Footwork has received £27,000 from the North East Angel Fund – one of the six regional funds set up under the Finance for Business programme, a programme run by North East Finance Limited, the holding fund manager.

The business – founded by 22-year-old Matt Scott – hopes to use the investment to expand its range of designs to 10 and upgrade its website allowing customers greater input when designing their footwear.

Matt first made his mark on the business world when he won the 2008 Northern Echo If we can, you can Challenge, run by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. Matt impressed fellow entrepreneurs and the North East public alike with his ambitious growth plans and his determination to succeed.

The investment is the latest to be made from the North East Angel Fund, which is operated by Rivers Capital Partners Limited and managed by E-Synergy Limited. Matt, who dropped out of a business marketing management degree at Newcastle University to launch his venture, said:

“This investment will help drive the company forward, reaching a larger audience, creating more national and international sales and employing more local people.

“It’s no secret that the current economic environment is tough, not just for us but for a lot of businesses. We have had a somewhat difficult and frustrating start to the year with opportunities to grow the business but without the funding to make it happen. Now that can change.

‘I’m excited with the introduction of our new product range, which is a key factor to entering new markets. We now have the right team to build a successful and sustainable business.”

Mes Footwork is a bespoke footwear company allowing customers to design their own shoes online, by uploading pictures and text, and having a choice of hundreds of customisation options.

The company, which was started from a student flat in Jesmond in 2008, now has its own manufacturing facility at TEDCO in South Shields and employs three people. Celebrity customers include X Factor winner Joe McElderry, Eurythmics frontman Dave Stewart and former Sunderland footballer Djibril Cisse. Mes Footwork hopes to take its brand to international markets and is targeting High Street retailers as well as selling online through its website.

The investment is the second made through the North East Angel Fund, with Jarrow-based guard rail manufacturer Preforma Limited receiving £200,000 last month. The Finance for Business programme, which is part of the Government’s Solutions for Business Portfolio, is funded by the European Investment Bank, European Regional Development Fund 2007-2013 and One North East.

Jonathan Gold, director of Rivers Capital Partners, is joining the board of Mes Footwork and added: “This is an impressive company with a clear focus and high ambitions. Matt had already proved himself by making sales.

“We are seeing good demand for the North East Angel Fund but it is important that people who have good ideas are willing to see them through and do something about it.” For more information about the North East Angel Fund and how to access investment from it, visit www.riverscap.com