entrepreneur of the year Lee Hutchinson what makes the Great North Run so great? with founder Sir Brendan Foster behind the boardroom at SoPost
autumn 22
An award-winning landmark at the heart of Gosforth; the Three Mile is many things to many people. Following a £7.5m transformation in 2020, the refurbishment has drawn on inspiration from the surrounding area and its history, giving extra character to the much-loved venue - where comfort is paramount and high standards are guaranteed.
Offering a comfortable stop-off point for travellers along the Great North Road, this is a venue where families can relax over a post school-run coffee, or where you can meet friends for a great night out over dinner. With an array of live music, entertainment and a vast selection of drinks ranging from cask ales to signature cocktails, there is something for everybody at the Three Mile.
If you’re searching for the perfect location to hold a special celebration, party, or corporate event look no further than the Three Mile. We have a selection of fantastic private areas & function spaces to cater for all sizes of celebrations and events.
0191 255 Road,Threewww.threemile.co.ukinfo@threemile.co.uk2100Mile,GreatNorthGosforth,NE32DS GET IN TOUCH PRIVATE DEUCHAR DINING ROOM AVAILABLE TO HIRE PRIVATE AVAILABLELOUNGETOHIRE
Editorial Amy Mason amy@entrepreneursforum.net
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum is on a mission to energise North East entrepreneurs and I hope that reading this issue will leave you motivated to drive your own business journey forward this autumn.
27 forum favourites read watch listen
Welcome to our autumn edition of “forum” which is jam-packed with features giving you greater insight into the mindsets of some incredible Septemberentrepreneurs.marks
12 meet the finalists
2022 North East Entrepreneurial Award finalists revealed 16 entrepreneurs’ forum news
8 what makes the Great North Run great an interview with Sir Brendan Foster
proud to be partnered with
17 mentoring to accelerate growth
Eve Middlemiss shares Dhamma Kuta Retreat
28 out of office natural clinics
the employement crisis
All contents copyright ©2022 Allies Group Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All content marked 'profile feature' is paid for advertising. All information is correct at time of going to print, August 2022. ISSN 2753-796X
we're stronger together
sitting down with Lee Hutchinson of Double Eleven
3
autumn welcome22 inside
studio@allies-group.comDesignYoucanalsoread
the annual Great North Run, which is now in its 41st year. You can read about the impact of this iconic event on our region in our interview with Sir Brendan Foster. Good luck to all our members running this year. If you’re not running then consider signing up for 2023, or sponsoring one of your team to get involved. I was saddened to hear that many charities struggled to fill their allocated places this year and it would be wonderful to see Entrepreneurs’ Forum members supporting their teams by encouraging participation next year.
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EF raises nearly £40k in CEO’s memory
Finally,12-14.I’dlike
Your thoughts are incredibly valuable and offer a great insight into the challenges and opportunities North East business owners are facing in recruiting and retaining talent. The findings are analysed on page 18 where we’ve highlighted some of the entrepreneurial approaches members are taking to stand out from the crowd.
30 behind the boardroom with SoPosts’ Jonny Grubin
about our reigning Entrepreneur of the Year, Lee Hutchinson, founder of Double Eleven, the gaming industry giant based in Middlesbrough. Who will succeed him? Find out about our shortlist for the 2022 Awards on pages
Richard Lane shares his rock and roll past 22 in focus
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Elaine Stroud Chief Executive
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to say a thank you to all our members who participated in our survey about job vacancies.
20 out of office rock and roll star
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entrepreneur of the year
24 new members
18 addressing the issue
Eleven Ponteland
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Bringing you the latest developments, breaking news and exclusive updates from Entrepreneurs' Forum members…
Teesside software firm helps schools guard against cyber-attacks North East software developer Sapere Software has joined forces with educational tech firm Secure Schools to increase cyber security in Theschools.result is an app which sits at the core of Secure School’s cyber security services for schools and academy trusts.
U Hold the Key Expands into South Tyneside with new site
“It was a fantastic programme to work on, not least because they knew what they wanted, which is very rare. They had a great idea and it’s nice to see a start-up succeed.”
Hospitality group announces seven figure investment package
Paul Drake, commercial director at Sapere, said, “Paul from Secure Schools contacted us through our website, having already created a detailed brief, which made the job of proposing a technology stack and solution easier.
Situated on an industrial site on Wilson Street, South Shields, the location will enable the company to meet increasing demand for container self-storage from businesses and customers in the Thearea.development represents the latest stage of delivering the company’s growth strategy - U Hold The Key now operates on 12 sites in the North East and 13 in total. Ean Parsons, CEO of the Parsons Containers Group, commented, “We have opened the new U Hold The Key South Shields site at a time when there is a continued surge in demand for container self-storage. We identified the site as a key strategic location to serve customers across South Tyneside some time ago and I am delighted that it is now open.”
Currently headquartered on Monkton Business Park in Hebburn, and with bases in London, Edinburgh and Belfast, HTG has announced it will move from its existing headquarters to a two-storey, 5,000 sq ft building, which will feature the region’s first Microsoft Centre of Excellence. The move has been supported by the Growth Fund, a £4.5m programme of investment, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and managed by North East
“We aim to build on our successful track record, and become the leading cloud provider across a number of sectors. This is a big move and an exciting time in our history.”
Secure cloud expert Howell Technology Group (HTG) is on the expansion trail, doubling the size of its premises in a move that will allow it to create at least 20 new jobs in the next year, and accelerate the firm’s bid to reach a £30m turnover in the next five years.
Northumberland-based hospitality group, The Doxford Group have secured a £5.7m finance package from NatWest to enhance its current market-leading offering in weddings, private events and luxury Theaccommodation.financialsupport from NatWest will facilitate the ongoing expansion of Charlton Hall Estate with a new 15-bedroom hotel, restaurant and bar, set to open early 2023. The addition of the hotel will enhance guest
Leading North East shipping containers firm Parsons Containers Group has opened a new U Hold The Key self-storage site in South Tyneside.
George Galloway, Alan McBurney, Kevin Howell, Sarah Howell, Niall Quinn (The HTG Team)
Cloud experts HTG on expansion trail to achieve £30M turnover
business support organisation, UMi. CEO Kevin Howell said, “This move to a much bigger location comes on the back of a series of contract wins across the UK, thanks to our ability to apply the latest innovative cloud technology to solve business problems for clients in any sector and of any size, all backed up by great customer service.
Working for both individual companies and multi-occupancy business parks such as the Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park and Discovery Park in Kent, Communicate provides managed IT services, cyber security, network infrastructure and infrastructure management from its North East HQ.
Our plans will generate 40 new jobs within The Doxford Group which is great for the county.”
Family business insures a bright future for North East talent
Weir Insurance is also creating several new jobs including entry-level insurance roles and apprenticeships, with plans to recruit five new apprentices over the next five years.
Managing Director, Karen Weir, said, “Technology has changed the insurance world so much, so it’s actually a great career choice for young tech-savvy people nowadays. Two out of three small businesses have been targeted by cybercrime and this means the industry needs new talent that understands the modern business risks.
Abu Ali, Managing Director at WilliamsAli Corporate Finance, said, “It's been a privilege to work with Nigel and David on this project and to support such an iconic brand on its future growth. Being an independent and well-connected corporate finance boutique means that we delivered this despite the challenging economic backdrop whilst also raising significant funding from Beechbrook, who were fantastic to work with. This is testament to the strength of the brand, the tenacity of the North East deals market and our in-house technical expertise.”
experience, elevate existing services and create a multi-visitor destination in the heart of Northumberland.
North East specialist Corporate Finance boutique WilliamsAli is pleased to announce that it has supported The Lakes Distillery in securing funding from specialist lender Beechbrook Capital.
and is beginning to export the brand to major whisky markets such as USA, France and Japan.
Family business Weir Insurance is celebrating 50 years in the region by creating job and training opportunities for ambitious local young people and giving back to youth Throughoutcharities.2022, every customer that successfully recommends another business will see a £50 donation made to one of three charities working across the North East region to help younger people. They are Teenage Cancer Trust, Shelter and one other local grass roots sport charity, which will change each month.
Atha Developments celebrate £12m portfolio
Tom and Jack Atha (Atha Developments)
Their most lucrative property to date within their portfolio is their flagship student accommodation block, St James Studios, which was completed and fully occupied by September 2018.
entrepreneursforum.net/news5
Communicate ramps up acquisition drive with £1.5m loan
“The pandemic has led to many people working from home and remote working creates a new risk to business. Crime isn’t a physical thing anymore and data security throws up lots of challenges and risks we can help with.”
University dropouts and twin brothers Tom and Jack Atha of Atha Developments are celebrating as the value of their property portfolio reaches Launching£12m.their business in 2011 with the purchase of a £70k Middlesbrough townhouse, which they renovated and turned into a buy-to-let, Atha Developments has now become a leading name for luxurious yet affordable student accommodation.
Richard Shell, Owner and Director at The Doxford Group, said, “This is a monumental moment for The Doxford Group as it allows us to deliver on the short-term projects we’ve been working on for several months including the launch of our new hotel at Charlton Hall Estate making it a leisure destination in Northumberland like no other as well as our plans to develop Doxford Barns to enhance what we have built over the past seven years.
They also own a business centre in the North East and are currently moving into the final stages of another large scale student accommodation development named Dorman House, comprising another 55 apartments on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. This one is due for completion later this year.
UK-wide IT telecoms and cyber security provider Communicate has delivered the next stage of its buy and build growth strategy with the acquisition of B2B telecoms company Zencom Telecommunications.
The move has been facilitated by a £1.5m investment from independent asset manager BOOST&Co.
WilliamsAli supports The Lakes Distillery fundraise to aid future growth
The funding comes at a time when the company is increasing its production of single malt whisky
To keep up to date with the latest news and exclusive insights from the Entrepreneurs' Forum, visit
With the 2022 North year’spanelonCEOthegreatcontemplatinghasLeetheEntrepreneurIt’sannualthebusinessregion'sforefrontsureentrepreneurmakesquestionapproaching,AwardsEntrepreneurialEastfasttheofwhatagreatistobeattheofthebrightestmindsinleaduptothiscelebration.aquestionthatofYearfor2021,Hutchinsonbeenatdepth,asDoubleElevenfindshimselfthejudgingforthisawards... autumn entrepreneur22 of the year Lee Hutchinson
This job was Lee’s first experience of what he calls his ‘positive feedback loop’; his discovery that if he was willing to work harder than everyone else, his rewards would be equally greater than everyone else’s. But, in the short term, it just meant he could buy all the games he liked.
It’s a mentality that he has carried throughout his entire career - working harder than everyone else just came as second nature.
Games are something that Lee has been passionate about from a young age, after his family got an Amstrad CPC 464 when he was just 10 years old.
that I could afford more games,” Lee explains.
“Our biggest project with Sony was LittleBigPlanet on the Playstation Vita. The game was a massive success in terms of quality and from a review perspective, but the platform - the Playstation Vita - failed.
After graduating with a first class degree from Teesside University in 2002, Lee went on to work his way up through the gaming industry as a programmer at a rapid pace.
“They might create something incredible that grows and doubles every year, but for me the story’s not the same.
18-months into his time at Rockstar, Lee had finally managed to burn himself out. His positive feedback loop was still rewarding him financially, but the toll on his mental health was beginning to show.
It was during this break that Lee
Starting out as a bedroom business, Lee and Double Eleven were now rubbing shoulders with the industry elite at the likes of Microsoft and Sony, with a constantly expanding company and hundreds of employees on his team.
Lee currently employs a diverse workforce of over 340 employees, spanning across their HQ in Middlesbrough and satellite office in Kuala Lumpur, working on some of the world’s biggest IPs, including Minecraft and Fallout.
“We wanted to get a house mortgage free, so we’d been saving a minimum amount of £16,000 a year - we’d been living off my wife’s salary alone.
“I was mesmerised by computer games when I was younger,” Lee says.
“I’mcandidates.notreally interested in the people who already have a lot of money and are ready to just go with an idea, fund something, pay someone and work in an executive manner,” Lee said.
was the first time we actually had a lot of money and security in the bank. “It meant that we could go after bigger and better titles that were going to cost more to develop but they were likely to make a hell of a lot more money.”
“As soon as I was old enough I wanted to get a paper round, so
From this moment on, Double Eleven grew exponentially year on year, going on to develop more blockbuster games like Crackdown 3, Fallout 76, and Minecraft Dungeons.
“Over the course of seven years, I’d been promoted and promoted and promoted,” Lee says.
“So, I left Rockstar and we had £100,000 in the bank. I just needed a break basically. And I knew that even if I took a year off, I could live on the minimum amount possible and still have enough to buy a house.”
“I did countless amounts of unpaid overtime in lieu and I guess I just had enough at that point. I knew I needed a rest.
decided to start his own business. Inspired to create a company that would allow him more freedom to spend time with his family, Lee used his industry experience to start a fledgling Double Eleven. Starting off simply as a name for Lee to contract behind, Double Eleven quickly began growing as he secured more contracts and recruited a number of ex-colleges to join his team.
“I’d play every game back to front or until I got sick of it and when I had no more games to play, I’d go through the programming manual. All of those computers came with manuals back in the 80s, so I’d pretty much taught myself basic programming by the age of 11.”
After thriving in that role for five years, Lee then started his first lead programmer role at Venom Games before moving on to Rockstar Leeds.
Double Eleven soon built a reputation as one of the fastest rising games development and publishing companies in the industry, gaining the attention of one of the biggest tech giants in the world. It was time for Double Eleven to level up.
For information visit:
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double11.com
Little did he know, this passion for gaming would go on to light a psychological spark that has made Lee stand out from the pack throughout his working life.
With his birthday coming in midDecember, Lee would get two games a year gifted to him in the space of a month - one for his birthday and one for Christmas. However, this wasn’t enough to quench his thirst for gaming and Lee knew he had to take things into his own hands - it was time to get his first job.
With no signs of expansion slowing down anytime soon, it’s no surprise that Lee was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021 for his incredible achievements with Double Eleven. Given all the blood, sweat and tears Lee has put into making a success of everything he does, it won’t shock you to know that he’s looking for similar qualities in this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2022
Lee credits his parents for teaching him to have a steadfast work ethic.
“After that, inside Sony there was no longer any exciting work for us. So, we all sat down and came up with a plan for Double Eleven 2.0.”
When considering this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year award candidates, it only makes sense that current incumbent Lee Hutchinson would reflect on his own journey to pinpoint what carried him to success. The Middlesbrough-based business owner started his games development and publishing business from his bedroom back in 2009 and has since grown Double Eleven into a giant of the gaming industry.
7
In this next iteration of Double Eleven, Lee and the team made the decision to work smarter rather than harder. They dived into the publishing field, licensing other people’s games and publishing them on platforms they had never been on before.
“At the time, my wife and I were saving for a house. We lived in a pit village just south of Durham, and back then all we wanted was a three bed house and you could get one of those for around £85,000.
His first role, at a company called Rare, saw Lee promoted to a senior position within two and a half years, skipping the usual five year route with countless hours of overtime and commitment to delivering his best work.
At Rockstar Lee quickly rose through the ranks, working non-stop without taking his foot off the accelerator.
“I’m looking for a person who’s basically strived to do better than what’s there already. They’ve put their heart and soul into it and lived that business themselves, up until it got to a point where they could step back and be the executive.
For example, if a game had been a success on the PC but had never been on consoles, like Playstation or Xbox, Lee and his team would buy the licence for that game and develop it for those new platforms. Out of all of the games Double Eleven had worked on up to this point, Lee could have never guessed that the game due to bring his company the most success was one where the player could pretend to be a wild goat!
“For me, I’m only just getting there now, where the company runs itself. That’s taken me 13 years.”
"So, I asked for the biggest round in the shop. The owner thought I couldn’t do it. Of course, I could.
“We launched Goat Simulator for console, which was a licence for a PC game, in April 2015, and it sold over a million units,” Lee says. “When that happened it turned us into Double Eleven 2.1. We weren't really doing anything different, but it
“We ended up going into an exclusivity contract with Sonythey were essentially bankrolling the studio,” Lee says.
The Great North Run is now one of the biggest events in the global running calendar - an incredible feat for a half-marathon in the North East of England that was originally advertised as a local fun run when it was created in 1981.
autumn 22
However, when I sit down for a cuppa at the new Great Run Company office with Sir Brendan Foster, his focus is very much set on the future. Despite his recent knighthood and success of the 40th anniversary of the Great North Run (GNR), Sir Brendan isn’t ready to stand still and pat himself on the back.
After joking that his knighthood might help him when it comes to booking into high end restaurants, Sir Brendan
“The concept of the GNR came from an event I ran in Auckland, New Zealand, called Round The Bays,” he begins.
“It started in the city centre of Auckland, then around the beach and across the coast to the seaside.
quickly moves the conversation onto his one true passion - the Great North Run Takingitself.me up to the balcony of his new office, which overlooks the Tyne Bridge, Sir Brendan discusses the original ‘city to sea’ concept for the run and its return in 2022, after two years of pandemic disruption that saw a city-only route in 2021 and a complete cancellation in 2020.
run from the city to the seaside, following the River Tyne.
“We had that idea 40 years ago and it was only the pandemic that stopped us from always doing that route.”
event we’ve ever had,” he says.
“So, overall you’re talking about 70,000 entries. You’re talking about one of the biggest events in the world. If not the biggest event in the world - of its kind.”
Now, with well over 1 million finishers, the GNR is undoubtedly one of the largest half-marathons in the world.
It’s not often you get the chance to sit down with a Knight of the Realm; someone that has done so much for the country that they’ve been recognised by royalty for doing so. A knighthood is undoubtedly an incredible achievement, a culmination of years of hard work.
what makes the Great North Run so great?
“So, it felt natural when planning the course in the North East that you’d
Johnathan Ramsay sat down with Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster to discuss 41 years of the world’s largest half-marathon.
“You couldn’t have predicted it would
To meet public health guidelines, 2021’s 40th anniversary run had to be re-engineered to be contained within Newcastle and Gateshead. Despite this mammoth challenge, the run was a huge success and had particular significance as one of the first major world sporting events to make a comeback.
“We’ve had 60,000 entries for the adult event and almost 10,000 for the kids events on the Saturday.
In 2022 the race ‘comes home’, as Sir Brendan puts it, and runners have been signing up in their droves to make this the biggest homecoming party (and run) the city has ever seen. “2022’s run is going to be the biggest
For him, there’s still a lot more work
It’s fair to say that the run has become a cultural icon of our region on a global scale. But Sir Brendan isn’t quite ready to adopt that title as of yet.
“Yes, we’ve just celebrated the 40th run, but we need to get our plans in place, our ambition in place, so that when it comes to the 50th GNR, we’ll
“The day-to-day job here isn’t to say ‘oh, aren’t we clever’, the day-to-day job is how do we make it better, how do we make it more impactful, how do we make it more significant for the region?” he says.
“These are huge tangible benefits. The intangible is what it does to create pride in our region and translate that worldwide.
“At the time, the biggest running event in the country was the National Cross Country Championships and they had 13,000 runners in it. That was massive.
“We organised the first GNR and at the same time they organised the first London Marathon. There were 6,000 people in the London Marathon and a couple of weeks later there were 12,000 people here in the Great North Run. From day one it’s been the biggest event of its kind in the country!
“There’s also an economic impact on the region that was once again missed in the year it was cancelled. That’s roughly £30 million a year.
have gotten this big when we first held it 40 years ago,” Sir Brendan says, with a smile.
“When Alan Shearer was playing centre forward for Newcastle and he scored 21 goals in a season, you don’t think in that summer he was thinking ‘that’s alright, I’ll see if I can score 15 next year.’”
to be done and self-congratulatory titles are only gateways to “Whencomplacency.itcomes to, in your words, ‘cultural icons’, you’ve got to be careful that you don’t let them fall into decline,” he explains.
There’s no question that Sir Brendan is proud of the growth and impact of the GNR; not only on the region but on the global stage. However, as far as Sir Brendan is concerned, you’ve got to keep looking forward. “For us, the real target is when we come to the 50th GNR,” he said.
At 74 years of age, you’d think Sir Brendan would be slowing down, but after spending half an hour with him, it’s obvious that the prospect hasn’t even crossed his mind.
make it a special occasion, but it’ll also be one of the prime events in the “We’veworld.always been punching above our weight and we’ve always had to punch above our weight.
It’s this elite runner’s mentality - 'the never look back or else you’ll get caught' way of thinking - that’s elevated the GNR to a level where it’s battling with the world’s most iconic running events.
“If this is a symbol and representation of the region, and you call it a 'cultural icon', you’ve got to make sure it’s good. It can’t be average, it can’t be “Weordinary.can’tafford to let ourselves get in the position where an event of this significance doesn’t strive for even greater glory, even greater size and quality - and expertise.
“We’ve got to strive. We’re clinging on the edge of that Premier League of events if you like. And it’s up to us to innovate, market, be creative and to organise better. You have to stay ahead of the game.
“And last year 157 countries throughout the world televised the Great North Run live and they saw the rusty Tyne Bridge. They probably didn’t notice it, but that’s something that can affect us.
about what the GNR brings to the region. When it comes to both the tangible and intangible benefits, Sir Brendan understands the significance that the run holds for the North East.
“The run is already a vehicle for the raising of £25 million of charity fundraising. And when it was cancelled that went down to almost "There’snothing.apressure on us to make sure that the charities are successful and activate their involvement.
For more information on the Great North Run or how to get involved, visit:
9
“It was the first running event in the world to have a million finishers. From anywhere, from New York to London, Chicago, Tokyo - it’s the most popular running event in the world.”
There’s certainly nothing ordinary
Because of the GNR, when it comes to marathons Newcastle is now spoken in the same breath as Tokyo, New York, Chicago and Berlin.
“The great thing for us is that the government has recently agreed to finance the repainting of the Tyne Bridge. We’re delighted that by the time it comes to the 50th GNR that this symbol of the region will be looking fresh again.”
When I asked him if he’d consider his work done after a successful 50th Great North Run, at which point he’ll be in his 80s, his answer was simply, “Nah, there’s always tomorrow!”
greatrun.org/events
“That’s both a pressure and a challenge. We’re looking at this year and saying we’ve got 60,000 entries, but we’re already thinking about what we’re going to do next and how we’re going to improve and invest more.”
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West Barn Co. (WBCo.) creates high quality and innovative brow and skincare products that focus on enhancing natural beauty and empowering individuality so that when our customers use our products, they feel beautiful, confident and most like themselves.
Chloë Clover Wander Films Kimberley Cattin WBCo.
The Doxford Group is a fast-growing luxury hospitality business located in the heart of Northumberland, currently comprising of two beautiful venues and a new hotel due to be completed by early 2023. Each offer exceptional experiences, weddings and private events as well as luxury accommodation.
The further development of the Charlton Hall Estate is well and truly underway with the construction of a new 15-bedroom hotel, bar and restaurant due to be completed in early 2023. We are also in the final planning stages for the development of a new orangery and bridal boutique at Doxford Barns.
What does your business do?
What was the spark that inspired you to found the business?
After excelling in my graduate career in banking, I went on to pursue my entrepreneurial drive and create the business that I am known for today. I understood the industry a little having worked at a local hotel, but I started researching in more detail and found a gap in the market - the lack of barn venues to cater for the growing desire for a more rustic and romantic wedding.
As a professional makeup artist, I saw a gap in the market for a niche product that didn't exist. When I got feedback from other professionals in the industry on how much they loved our product, it seemed like a no brainer. I have always been entrepreneurial so it was in my nature to make something of it.
What does 2023 look like for you and your company?
Discover below the 10 finalists fighting it out for the 2022 Emerging Talent, Entrepreneur of the Year and Scale-up Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
What does 2023 look like for you and your company?
My focus is to continue to provide a safe, happy, thriving environment and culture for all the staff at WBCo. Next year brings new opportunities for travel - expansion into the USA as well as building relationships with new retailers. Not forgetting all of the new products we are going to be releasing - it is a year of cementing who we are in this industry and expanding into exciting new territory.
What does your business do?
What was the spark that inspired you to found the business?
What was the spark that inspired you to found the business?
meet the finalists autumn 22
For nearly two decades, the Forum have been celebrating entrepreneurs who have stood out from the crowd. Each year, we are inundated with high calibre entries, and this year is no exception.
Richard Shell The Doxford Group
What does your business do?
Wander started when myself and co-founder Lou were travelling around Australia and noticed brands were posting salesy content rather than posting what the audience wanted to engage with. We bought a camera and laptop and spent 14 months creating videos in Australia and South East Asia before coming home to grow Wander.
What does 2023 look like for you and your company?
Wander Films is a video production/marketing company known for creating next-level visual content for brands to #beatthescroll™. Our team of 17 works with brands all over the world to create social media videos, graphics, motion graphics, content strategy and consultation. Wander is also in paid development for a TV documentary.
Emerging Talent An entrepreneur who is building a business of outstanding potential which has been trading for six years or less.
We’ll secure our further TV commissions, grow our team and increase turnover by 50%. I’ll continue my mission to retain, train and inspire young talent in the North East as well as developing exciting new brands under the Wander umbrella.
What does your business do?
At OPPORTUNI, we specialise in making public sector contracts accessible for all businesses. We are rebuilding the procurement ecosystem and levelling the playing field. Helping companies at scale find, win, and deliver government contracts through smart tech solutions.
It is our overall company mission to redirect 5% of government spending to great SME businesses across the UK, USA and EU. Totalling £225 billion each year going to local economies, supporting the growth of great local businesses and investing in local people. We are one year into a five-year plan to achieve this.
Tell us your ambitions to scale?
Tell us your ambitions to scale?
Polar design, manufacture and install specialist windows and our main sector is now mental health care.
James Hill Polar NE
We will continue to improve and expand our range of products to help us reach further, while creating opportunities for people in our region. We want to build our own campus-style HQ, allowing us to create an environment where our people love coming to work and can improve their lives too.
We supply safe and secure windows which allow users control of their own environment, giving them independence, whilst protecting them from harm.
ION’s ambition is to become the world leader in provisioning and implementing financial infrastructure. This is done by partnering with the industries best products, having the most skilled and capable consultants, whilst demonstrating accounting knowledge and financial leadership well beyond any other business in the market.
The ultimate goal and purpose of The SDDE Smith Group is to push boundaries to create better places to live, to work and stay. We plan to continue to grow the group portfolio of brands organically, but we are also now actively in the process of acquiring businesses that further complement our real estate service offering.
What does the future hold?
There are 36,000 UK mid-market businesses that need to significantly improve their financial infrastructure, and as a business we aim to become the primary service provider. This means scaling of technology, people and geographic expansion.
What does the future hold?
Dale Smith The SDDE Smith Group
13
Tell us your ambitions to scale?
Tell us your ambitions to scale?
What does your business do?
What does the future hold?
What does your business do?
The SDDE Smith Group provides services to property investors. We own a portfolio of real-estate related services including a construction firm, an interior design business, a legal conveyancing company and ongoing property management businesses.
ION provides financial technology, infrastructure and transformation services to PE-backed and midmarket businesses. It has industry expertise across pharma, education, telecoms and professional services.
What does your business do?
Scale-up Entrepreneur of the Year An entrepreneur who is leading a scaling company achieving 20%+ annualised growth in either turnover, profit or employee numbers for any (but ideally all) of the past three years.
What does the future hold?
We believe our specialist products are required globally - they can save lives and we want to provide them to as many facilities as possible to improve as many lives in a positive way. In the next five years, we would like to see the company grow by a further 300%.
We have hugely ambitious growth plans. Everything we do is about the impact and supporting as many businesses as possible. We will continue with multi-million pound investment transforming the industry and growing our business capabilities as quickly as we can on a global scale.
Tim Ward OPPORTUNI Rob Mathieson ION
We have grown quickly in recent years and we want to continue that growth. We want to ensure we are giving back to the communities in which we operate, help contribute to the economic success of those communities and provide opportunity. The larger we grow and the further we can spread, the more of an impact we can have.
autumn 22
I’m a business builder, motivator, people person, deal driver. I’ve grown my own firms, used my experience to help others grow, managed the finance and growth, plus handled the exit strategies. Much of my experience is in service businesses: marketing, recruitment, software development. But, I’m also MD of the family property business which has pivoted into funky workspace.
What is your biggest business achievement?
meet the finalists
Samuel Knight is fast becoming one of the world’s leading specialised renewable STEM focused service providers after recently adding technology and science to complement our engineering and manufacturing service offering. We want to continue growing at a rate of 50% year-on-year and become recognised as the best green company to work for globally.
What does your business do?
Samuel Knight Group consists of Samuel Knight Energy, Climate-Tech, Projects and Rail - all offering STEM project and recruitment solutions throughout UK, Europe, USA, the Middle East and APAC regions. With projected annual sales of £30m for 2022, Samuel Knight have worked on projects in over 48 different countries, providing solutions into the renewable energy, climate-tech and sustainable transportation sectors. Collectively, the management team has 40 years industry experience employing over 100 specialist consultants who are all subject matter experts and thought leaders.
Charlie Hoult
What is your biggest business achievement?
What is your biggest business achievement?
Really difficult question! It has to be creating Opencast from scratch with a business partner ten years ago. I left a successful career in consulting in investment banking technology and we set out to prove that you could 'do the right thing' and be nice to people in the technology consulting sector. I'm immensely proud that we've attracted a wonderful team of people who get our vision and will end this year with over 400 in our team.
I’ve helped many people on their own career journeys - whether as intern or spin-out. This creates livelihoods and jobs, which means taxes for society and choice for individuals to achieve their goals. I don’t count, but suspect former colleagues, as entrepreneurs, now employ 500 people in their businesses. And tax revenues will be in the millions. In a small way, this all makes the world a better place.
What next?
Mike O’Brien Opencast
Steven Rawlingson Samuel InternationalKnight
What next?
Launching and breaking the USA, achieving $10m in revenue in only eight months of trading.
To continue on our growth path (we will be a FTSE 250 company of the future), which allow us to offer more interesting work for our existing team and provide a really different working experience for new people who will join. A bigger company will allow us to take on even more challenging projects for our growing client base and show what user focused technology is really capable of.
What next?
What does your business do?
Entrepreneur of the Year An experienced entrepreneur who has shown incredible resilience and strength to lead their business to outstanding success through innovation, teamwork and leadership skills.
I always have a growth mindset. So, I start almost every day with a ‘Christmas stocking at the bottom of my bed’ feeling. There’s politics and saving the world (mostly from stupid politicians), there’s a cosmetics business with my dermatologist wife, there’s expanding Hyhubs to Chamonix, Ibiza and Cape Town and there’s a finance and investment business. I’ve got four boys, perhaps we could set up like the Rothschilds and send a son to each continent to create a bank?
Opencast is a highly skilled and fast-growing technology consultancy. Our team of specialists work at the heart of government, global finance and growth enterprise, providing a range of digital consultancy and services.
What does your business do?
a great cause will last forever. This feeling is shared by those who joined us on the day, including long-standing member, Ean Parsons of Parsons Containers, who said, “It was great to join with the Forum team to complete the walk around Kielder and support the Forum’s charity fundraising effort. This sort of event suits me and is a great example of how the Forum organises a varied range of events where members can network, hear different views and learn about the diversity of business in the region.”
The kind weather didn’t last and before too long the heavens opened and a biblical amount of water fell. How waterproof our clothes and boots were becoming the main topic of conversation - along with a heated debate, Haribo Goldbears or Jelly Babies? We were soaked to the skin but spirits were high as we reached the shelter of Kielder Castle, hot coffee and bacon baps - it was STILL raining. From the castle we headed to the north shore. As the miles ticked away the rain started to ease - finally we could appreciate the beauty of the lake. With only nine miles to go, we were all thinking that there were worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon, but the meandering shoreline with its never ending inlets took its toll. Blisters appeared, hiking boots disintegrated. Two miles to go we were hurting; the lively chatter of the morning had become gentle prayers that the end was around the next bend and on the stroke of 5pm, it was! We had all made it and are deservedly proud of our endurance. The blisters may have healed, but the memories of a great day out for
Likewise, Joanne Warren, who joined the walk with members of her team at Lumo, added, “Lumo joined the Forum as corporate partners when Jonathan Lamb was CEO. Jonathan made a lasting impression on all of us and the team at Lumo wanted to show our appreciation and support of the Forum team in raising funds for Business Beats Cancer in Jonathan’s memory. We had lots of fun on the day, even though it rained a lot, but it is always sunny with team Lumo and the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.”
an arm of Cancer Research UK.
We have all been fundamentally affected by the pandemic and business is not just returning to how things once were. The world has changed and there is a growing number of entrepreneurs who are challenging their core values and are striving to do good as they do well. The Entrepreneurs’ Forum is no exception, challenging ourselves to contribute more to the region. When planning our 20th anniversary celebrations, we decided that we would encourage our members and partners to come together and help prevent others facing the same fate as our former CEO, Jonathan Lamb, who tragically passed away from cancer earlier this year.
We agreed with Jonathan, prior to his death, that the team, our members and partners would aim to raise £20k for Business Beats Cancer Newcastle,
entrepreneursforum.net/20-years
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s fundraising page is open until the end of 2022. If you would like to donate to support cancer research in the North East, please visit:
2nd July, equipped with snacks and insect repellent, Forum team members Elaine, Stacey and Lucy, along with others, looked to add more pennies to the pot by embarking on a mammoth 26 mile sponsored hike of the Kielder Reservoir shoreline.
In addition to Ean and Joanne, we were joined on our epic challenge by Alastair Waite of Altec Engineering, Dan Parker of Aspect Facades, Louise McWittie, Graeme Watson, Lisa Robinson and Lee Quarzi from Lumo and Rebecca Crinson, Jeni Lagan, Stanley Winterman, Ciaran Bound and Lewis Ryan from Explain Market Research.
EF raise nearly £40k in CEO’s memory autumn 22
Jump forward to 6am on Saturday
When we embarked on our mission to raise £20k for Cancer Research UK to mark our 20th anniversary, we never imagined we would actually raise nearly double that!
All of the funds raised would go towards lifesaving cancer research right here in the North East. Fundraising began in June at our anniversary Gala Dinner where members had fun bidding on a selection of unique silent auction prizes as well as matching an anonymous donor pledge of £10kblowing our £20k target out of the water in one night alone. Addressing the audience on the evening, Nicky McKenna, Relationship Manager for Business Beats Cancer Newcastle, said, “Your donation is absolutely outstanding, we’re all in shock at so much generosity. These funds will go to life saving research taking place right here in this region. Thank you so much.”
mentoring to accelerate growth
After working as Directors for the BGL Group (owners of comparethemarket.com) for just under twenty years, Jason and Sarah have amassed an unrivalled track record in all things digital and data and just as importantly, how by properly understanding and leveraging these critical elements can make significant benefits to modern day business.
Data2Action’s Jason Turner discusses the importance of using your data efficiently and mentoring Brigitte Keatings of Ringtons to do just that.
“Data2Action was formed five years ago with the view to helping businesses large and small make better use of their data. From our research and experience, most business leaders understand the importance and the value data can bring but really don’t know how to go about getting the most out of this important asset,” says Jason.
“Our clients include the public sector (we recently wrote the data strategy for Luton Borough Council) including Public Health Wales, HMRC, the North East LEP and also a great many private sector organisations many of which are based in the North East.
“For a local energy efficiency company, we managed to help them understand and leverage their data across their operational areas resulting in a reduction of 30% of their operating costs.”
Jason continued, “Data is something all businesses have, often in abundance, however quite often, leaders simply just need help to make the first steps.
“Ringtons were working on a review of their data and exploring potential opportunities that becoming more ‘data centric’ could bring to the organisation. Brigitte reached out for some friendly support to help her shape her thinking,” Jason explains.
case study
“Start by identifying specific problems or challenges, for example, reducing operational costs or time and then look forensically at the data you have in your possession. More often than not, leaders make decisions based on their perception, rather than the data itself and often they fail to spot opportunities to improve.
/mentoringentrepreneursforum.net
“We had a couple of mentoring sessions in which we discussed practical key steps and actions that could be taken to create opportunity. We also looked at the subject more strategically and talked through the value of having an organisation wide programme
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s peer-to-peer mentoring programme confidentially connects members in order to share knowledge and experience.
With more than 100 entrepreneurs to choose from - and over 20 years' experience connecting like-minded people - no matter what stage of business you're at we can help you to make Whetherprogress.it'sovercoming a challenge, scaling-up, strategic planning or putting the building blocks in place for your future, by 'speaking to people who’ve done it all before', you can benefit from the lessons already learned by your peers.
To find out more about Ringtons visit: ringtons.co.uk
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Keen to share the knowledge he's gained over the years, Jason gives his time altruistically to help mentor fellow Forum members who find tapping into his experience invaluable. In the North East, Jason and Data2Action became one of a number of businesses involved on the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s peer-to-peer mentoring programme.
Earlier this year, Jason was matched with Brigitte Keatings, an Associate Director of Ringtons, who was looking to use the company’s data more effectively to create greater value.
to balance both culture and capability developments in order to get a robust, data driven organisation out the back of it.”
“Jason was brilliant. He was personable, extremely knowledgeable and helped me significantly,” she says.
Started over 5 years ago, Data2Action was incorporated by Sarah Burns and Jason Turner with the primary goal of helping businesses improve innovation, growth and efficiency by making better use of their data.
“With our background, we knew exactly where to start and what buttons to press and how to take data and to craft it into a commercial opportunity whilst protecting the business from risk.
Brigitte found her mentoring sessions with Jason a huge help when getting to grips with her company’s data.
“Furthermore, leaders often get confused between technology and data, and they tend to roll the two things up, but they’re very, very different animals. Technology is the vehicle that the data flows between; data creates information, information creates wisdom… and that’s what we help people with.”
To find out more about Data2Action visit: data2action.co.uk
Further information
For more information visit:
“We spent numerous calls talking through my challenges. I would 100% get involved in the mentoring programme again. Not only is mentoring good for tapping into someone’s expertise, it also helps to increase self-confidence, exposes you to new perspectives, and helps in growing a personal network of knowledgeable people.”
Brendon Hayward (OSBIT)
Britain is currently going through an employment crisis, with vacanciesmore than people willing to fill them. We spoke doingandaffectingshortagecountry’stoForumEntrepreneurs'tomembersfindoutifthelabouristhemwhatthey’retocombat it. the employment crisis
According to the Financial Times, the UK’s shrinking workforce is the most urgent problem currently facing our country’s economy. In June 2022, there were approximately 1.3 million job vacancies in Britain, and currently there are not enough people looking for work to fill those positions. It’s been said that this is an issue the hospitality industry is getting hit the hardest by, but in reality it’s an issue that’s impacting employers across many different sectors. There are a number of different factors playing that have resulted in the crisis, the most obvious two
autumn addressing22 the issue
being Brexit and Covid. Since Brexit, approximately 200,000 EU citizens have left the UK and following COVID almost 450,000 have simply decided to leave the workforce all together. The amount of people in our country now “economically inactive”, neither in work or looking for work, has spiked sharply since the pandemic. However, before you wag your finger at the so-called snowflake generation, it might surprise you to know that this inactive group is made up mostly of people over 50. In February this year, when the ONS surveyed a number of those that had recently left work, almost half said they’d left their jobs of their own volition. Surprisingly, only two-fifths said they’d consider going back to work.
“The power balance which many business leaders may have viewed through a relatively static lens has truly been upended. The most innovative companies will evolve and capitalise on this, companies who do not recognise their labour market lens is obsolete will find it extremely difficult.”
19 businesses reported having more than 10 existing vacancies, and 4 businesses reported over 50 open positions. In total, members reported 872 vacancies as at the end of June. Interestingly, no sector clearly stands out as having more vacancies than another. The businesses reporting ten or more vacancies included sectors such as IT, hospitality, engineering and retail.
real insight into the current landscape of employment in our region. Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom
Regardless of their current vacancy situation, it was clear from the responses that virtually all of these members are taking steps to attract more potential employees.
Despite the perceived lack of labour, it’s encouraging to see that Forum members have a lot of confidence and hope for the future, with many of them planning on creating a huge
19
number of new jobs over the next 12 Acrossmonths.the 101 responses, there’s expected to be 1,751 jobs created in the next 12 months. 9% of respondents expect to create 50 or more jobs, 28% expect to create ten or more, and 61% expect to create five jobs or less.
So, what are the Forum members saying about this issue? We reached out to members with a variety of survey questions regarding employment, recruitment and Fromvacancies.ahealthy 101 responses, approximately a third of the Forum’s membership, we ended up with some really interesting statistics that give a
However,either!the reality is that most of the respondents are facing the same struggle to fill vacancies as the rest of the country. 72% of respondents said recruitment is now harder than pre-pandemic, with 25% reporting no change and only 3% reporting that recruitment is now easier.
A common change being made by businesses is the introduction or continuation of ‘flexible’ working. However, this seems to be a new norm rather than something that makes businesses stand out to 40%applicants.ofrespondents said they had increased their pay and benefits packages to incentivise applicants, whilst 25% said they had turned to external agencies, including specialist recruiters. The majority of respondents said they had turned their focus to improving their brand as an employer. Steps businesses are taking include
concerted efforts to improve their presence on social media, setting up employee wellbeing frameworks, investing in staff development and refining their “pitch” to potential Entrepreneurs’employees.
Forum Board member, BrenBrendon Hayward, Joint Managing Director of OSBIT and Entrepreneurs’ Forum board member, believes innovative companies have the opportunity to shine in the changing employment market. He said, “The changes in the labour market are the most exciting transition ever. People now seek a clearer purpose, evidence of a competent management team and vision, an authentic culture, clear development opportunities, coaching, remunerative development, ESG credentials and the list goes on.
On the other hand, in terms of vacancies, 78% of those surveyed have current unfilled job vacancies.
“I also think that when you’re playing you work hard to connect with people who are watching or listening and that flows through into what I do on a daily basis. It’s about how you inspire, motivate, and drive people to achieve successand I think that’s something that, for a long period of my life playing in bands, comes easier to me. It’s important to understand how to get into ‘the zone’. That is something that’s helped me throughout my career for sure.”
rock and roll star
“We all made a conscious decision to stay in Leicester after uni, doing various temp jobs just to pay our rent,” Richard says.
“We played at Abbey Park Festival in Leicester where we wasCornershop.supportedThatastand-out
and equipment. It could be a nightmare, but because I’m left handed there aren’t many to choose from, so that keeps me in check. My dream guitar is a 1960s Gibson Les Paul Goldtop.”
For more information visit: durhamlane.com
Before becoming the co-founder and chief commercial officer of durhamlane, Richard Lane had dreams of rock and roll superstardom.
“It 100% boosted my confidence when public speaking and stepping out in front of a crowd. Playing music with other people creates a really special connection. I think it helps you listen to others better,” Richard says.
Despite Richard’s time with his band coming to an end after they all decided to get ‘proper jobs’, his love for guitars hasn’t faded and he’s always looking to add to his classic collection.
“I’m a Southpaw (left-hander), which has worked out great for the health of my wallet. I'm signed up to a guitar auction website who has 2-3 auctions a year full of vintage guitars
Then and now: Richard above left and below
“I always thought I was going to be a rockstar. From age 15, I just had an utter belief I was going to be a musician. I was in a band before I learnt my first song," Richard starts. “I taught myself how to play guitar," he "Rememberadds. those career advice sessions at school? I was in one that was meant to go on for half an hour, but an hour and a half later my teacher said ‘Richard, I think you should just go for it'.
“At the time, I thought she meant it was a good idea to pursue my dream as a rockstar, but with hindsight, I think she was just thinking ‘I’m not going to persuade this boy to do anything else, get me out of here!”
out of office
“My star piece is a 1937 Dobro Steel Resonator guitar - like the one on the front of Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits. I’ve got a few different guitars from the 70s too - mainly Gibson and Fender,” Richard adds.
memory. We also played The Marquee and The Town & Country Club in London a few times, both famous venues. Closer to home, we regularly played at The Princess Charlotte in Leicester, once supporting indie wannabees, “OneMansun.night we were asked to headline at The Charlotte. Unfortunately, it was the same night Dannii Minogue was playing at the university venue, so we had almost no audience… that was a low point. It was quite funny in hindsight! We never got close to ‘making it’ really. I think in my head we were close, but we were far away in reality.”
Richard took his teacher’s more than likely sarcastic ‘advice’ to heart and continued his love affair with guitars when he set off to the University of Leicester to study American History in After1991.playing in bands at university, Richard finally found one that stuck in The Big Bush Experience. Playing Radiohead-style 90s indie tunes, Richard and the band made the decision to give this rockstar stuff a real go.
“It was back in the day before email, so we’d give flyers out at our gigs encouraging people to buy our demo tapes. One time I remember getting back from a gig in London and the next morning a couple of flyers came through the post with cheques enclosed. That was pretty cool!”
Now a master of integrated sales and marketing solutions and the creator of durhamlane’s ‘Selling at a Higher Level’ methodology, Richard credits his time in bands with giving him the confidence to become a successful sales leader and entrepreneur.
autumn 22
At the height of Richard’s rock and roll career, The Big Bush Experience were playing shows in both Leicester and the capital, even taking on some of the biggest names in pop for ticket sales.
partner trends shaping brand strategy
“Today and in the future, companies will not only need to communicate what they ‘stand for’, but more importantly, what they ‘stand up for’. Socially responsible branding created in the right way and for the right reasons can create a sense of community, and thus help increase employee and customer retention.”
For which James has the answer:
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"My advice is to start with focusing on those elements of your brand that you can actually control.
and become more relevant to our customer base?’
Guerilla is an award-winning agency, serving, local, national, and international clients. Formed in 2002 and celebrating 20 years, Guerilla specialises in brand creation and strategy, digital, advertising branding, and creative design as well as social media development across a variety of sectors. Guerilla’s brand proposition is Creative Thinking. Real Results.
"But to do this effectively you need to know and understand as much as possible about the current and future trends that are influencing and driving brand strategies.
“Sustainable brand values are associated with positive societal changes and can have an impact on enhancing your brand reputation," says "Plus,James.italso makes sense that you are more likely to align with and win new customers who care about the “Today,environment.abrand’s visual identity needs to elegantly transcend across more physical and digital touch points than ever before. The trend towards designing simpler, shape-shifting logos has been underway for some time. It’s important to remember that your brand identity still needs to achieve five key objectives including individuality, consistency, integrity, longevity, differentiation, and finally impact.
Many consumers now tilt towards brands which actively express a strong interest in areas of social responsibility - this is because they feel it allows them to make more purposeful and positive purchases.
guerilla.co.uk
For more information visit:
A brand is not a logo, it’s not even just an identity and it’s certainly not a product or service - as James Allen, Managing Director of brand communication agency Guerilla tells “Yourus.brand is the space that it occupies in the minds of your employees, suppliers, partners and customers," he says. "This is because brands are defined by the people who interact with them, which means that your brand isn’t just what you say it is. More importantly, it’s what they say it is. That’s why great brands live in a place where their promise totally aligns with the internal and external brand Ifexperiences.”yourbrandhas already achieved this success then your next question may be, ‘How in this unprecedented period of digital and physical disruptions, do we engage, grow,
“The fact is that consumers are viewing products less as commodities and more as individual statements, this means that our strategies concerning socially responsible branding must evolve quickly.
“If you consider other brand influences such as technology, gaming, anti-advertising, ‘phygital’, online communities, nostalgia and customer centricity to name but a few, we have only just started to scratch the surface. But going back to the beginning, and considering many of today’s consumers want purpose, substance, and integrity, then all future brand strategies should be equally focused on how a brand acts as much as how it looks.”
A recent survey conducted by Clear Channel and JCDecaux reported that only 34% of customers trust the brands that they buy from. James comments that such statistics clearly support the dangers and opportunities in neglecting or building your brand authenticity. Meanwhile, Stackla revealed that 90% of millennials now believe that authenticity is extremely important, preferring ‘real and organic’ companies over brands that are slick and ‘perfectly packaged’. This can explain why McDonald’s decided to film and post ‘behind the scenes’ videos of how they make their food, to help convey transparency about their food and ingredients. Interestingly, Futurra found that 88% of customers believe that companies can influence societal change and should take the lead in addressing environmental issues and providing more sustainable products.
For more information visit: elevenponteland.co.uk
nasturtium. This little dish, served up in a bowl around the size of my fist, is an spectacular sea of green. Fresh leaves perched on the green purée covered the ewe’s curd. It's a cold dish that wonderfully cleanses the palette with its refreshing flavours. The ewe’s curd is delightfully soft and adds a tangy, milky flavour that perfectly complements the courgette. The next starter dish is sweetcorn, berkswell and marjoram.
Like a sorbet, with a sweet - almost aniseed-like - warmth to it. Certainly one of the tastiest and most innovative palate-cleansing dishes I’ve ever had.
It is the beautifully rich blanket hiding the unlikely but perfect combination of soft - again almost sorbet-likepumpkin and delightfully crunchy chunks of hazelnut.
Like the rest of the menu, head-chef Danny Land manages to fit a number of bold flavours and textures into one unlikely parcel, all complementing each other in effortless style and taking diners on that rustic, seasonally inspired journey of unique flavours that Eleven is quickly becoming known for.
This cosy and atmospheric restaurant oozes personality, character and has that warm homely feeling - much like its food.
It's well worth a visit and will leave you craving for more. Check it out this autumn.
And finally, for (more) dessert, a warm chocolate mousse, delica pumpkin and hazelnut. This has to be one of my favourite dishes of the night. When is dessert not a highlight? This one is really special. The chocolate is more like a sauce than a mousse.
The sweetcorn is deliciously smokey and the nutty notes of the berkswell cheese are a match made in heaven. Now onto the bigger dishes. The main event starts with the beetroot, roscoff onion and mushroom broth. This horseradish garnished dish is absolutely bursting with seasonal flavour. Like all of Eleven’s dishes, this one unassuming plate is home to an array of fresh flavours, tantalising textures and seasonal colours. The next main dish is the coco di paimpol beans, cucumber and green sauce. Once again, my plate is filled with healthy green and brown colours and fresh, juicy vegetables. A good-for-you burst on a plate.
autumn 22 in focus
Seasonal sensations and a cosy atmosphere, Johnathan Ramsay checks out the most talked about new restaurant in Ponteland.
Walking into Eleven you instantly feel the warm, welcoming atmosphere of this uber cool restaurant. It feels cosy but stylish, with local art hanging on the walls (which you can buy and take away with you), and a great view of the pass through to the kitchen. As I settle in with a lovely can of Repeater IPA from Hoults Yard brewers Full Circle Brew Co. (even the beer is locally sourced!), I study the menu that has been promptly placed on my table. It is a seven dish tasting menu, including dessert and a cheese course (at the additional cost of £9), all for £59. A perfect way to experience a range of different flavours, appreciating them individually on small plates, rather than opting for one large main. To start, it is fermented potato bread and cultured butter. You can’t get any simpler than bread and butter, but let me tell you, this is the best bread I have ever tasted. So light and airydeliciousness.melt-in-your-mouthWhoknewbread and butter could inspire such delight? Next up is courgette, ewe’s curd and
The creamy white beans had a nutty, flowery flavour that pair perfectly with the invigorating green sauce. After tucking into my cheese course of full-bodied Devon blue and quince, it's time for dessert. I'm treated to an off-menu item, described as a burnt peach granita with grated fennel pollen.
“That’s a colossal waste of human and financial capital!”
Qriousinitiatives.”isinviting Entrepreneurs’
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Nick Salloway and the team at the experience transformation studio
Nick adds that customer and employee needs must be front and centre of any business change and digital transformation programme, not technology. Referencing Steve Jobs who said, “You’ve got to start experience and work back to the
“We will facilitate conversations and workshops between peers and share real-world case studies to help participants learn how to approach transformation the right way. Each group session will have a core theme that is essential to any digital transformation programme. This may include, for example, research practices, journey mapping, service design, data strategy, solution design, working methods, and change management including culture change.”
Selecting and deploying the right technology solution to deliver an exemplary customer experience and drive high performance is an evolving challenge for modern businesses. partner using digital to your advantage
Qrious are on a mission to help established, high-growth businesses take full advantage of the digital economy. They want to help companies transform how they operate and select the right digital tools to serve their customers and accelerate growth, productivity, and Researchprofitability.suggests that around 70% of digital transformation programmes fail because businesses embark on technology and business change programmes without first taking time to understand their business needs fully – i.e. the customer journeys, experiences, and processes that technology underpins.
technology from there”, Nick explains that if a business change programme starts with technology, all the business is likely to end up with is a higher technology bill.
“Our goal at Qrious is to help businesses make better and more informed technology investment decisions by putting customer experience at the centre of the digital transformation process and reducing the risk of digital transformation programme failure. “We work with our clients to help them undertake business analysis and create a prioritised strategic transformation roadmap. Our ‘Experience First’ approach accelerates digital transformation and empowers businesses to execute quickly and deliver impacts that surpass the incremental gains most organisations typically achieve from their digital transformation
Forum members to attend its new Digital Transformation Insight Group specifically designed to help businesses in the region plan and run successful digital transformation Facilitatedprogrammes.by Qrious and other Forum technology businesses, the group will be a safe space where any company interested in improving how they use technology can learn about best practices or share experiences.
Contact the Entrepreneurs’ Forum via email to find out more and express your interest in the new Digital Transformation Insight Group. info@entrepreneursforum.net
Sadly, projects without this foundational knowledge often come off the rails. As Nick explains, “The fancy new technology rather than the customer or employee experience becomes paramount, usually resulting in budget overruns, late delivery, exhausted project teams, lost morale, and little meaningful value of any kind returned to the business or its customers.
For more information visit get-involvedentrepreneursforum.net/
I have suffered from stress whilst running the business, so now have a daily morning routine that really helps me. I wake up before the kids, do some Wim Hof style breathing, journal, stretch and have a cold shower.
What are you most proud of?
Marcus Welch Gosforth Fire Station
Darren Race Think Eleven
Amy Mooney Unwritten Group
Apart from my Dad who passed away a couple of years ago, I’d currently say Steven Bartlett. I’ve been a fan of his podcasts since the start and followed his journey closely.
Graeme Cochrane GLC Projects
I hope to make some valuable connections, both in and outside of manufacturing. Along with sharing and learning new skills that can help push Theo James to the next level.
Chris Carroll MGC Agency
Ben Cleary Full Circle Brew Co.
If I am honest it would probably be maintenance engineers in the North East! That was my specialist area for eight years and I still know most of them!
Tayler Reed, Jonny Catto and Jean-Louis Gravier
What do you hope to achieve with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum?
Kate Hargreaves Mosaic Partners
Theo James Recruitment specialise in technical and senior appointments within manufacturing and engineering markets. We offer recruitment and talent partnerships, with a range of productised services.
Phil McKenzie and Kirsty Bell Goldfinch Entertainment
Alastair Yong Affinity Systems
Brad Johnson Yellow Box Marketing
Sue Shaw-Toomey Toomey Legal
After seven years of working in the business and building our reputation with decision makers in our market, I felt it was time to start spending more time on the business and meeting like minded people in similar positions!
If you weren’t running your current business, what do you think you’d be doing now?
Sarah MichaelaMonkReaney The Opportunity Group
Aside from my family and my kids who make me proud every day, I would say the business. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved.
Who, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with?
Sam Spoors Talentheads
Lisa Hart Shepherd The Lamp House
How do you unwind or deal with stress?
What would your specialist subject be on Mastermind?
Mark Bracknall
had something on the go as a kid and have very fond memories of selling things at school.
Boxing Day 1979. “The Boxing Day Massacre” Sheffield Wednesday beating Sheffield United 4-1. I’d love nothing more to be stood with my Dad watching that with 50k fans.
If you had a time machine, where would you go and why?
Nadia Scott Re:geon Training
autumn 22
I can’t say I have ever admitted this, but I have a very bizarre recurring dream of paragliding and I just keep going up and can’t come down!
Eve Middlemiss Master Debonair
After university I did a post grad in Careers Guidance. I had my placement year in schools and youth offending institutions, which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, naturally I believe if it wasn’t for recruitment I would be involved in this space.
David Stimson Bennu Consulting
Ben Richardson, Carl and John Lamb Accedo Group
Rosie Bath Cera Cotton
What was the attraction of joining the Entrepreneurs’ Forum?
What is your biggest fear?
newmembers
Mark Bracknall Theo James Recruitment
Theo James Recruitment
iPac Packaging Innovations
What does your business do?
Lisa Eaton Unwritten Group and Fabric Academy
I was quite obsessed with wanting money at a young age. Bizarrely I am not now at all really. I always
What was your first job?
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I was on a Daz advert with Shane Ritchie when I was about 12. It was quite an easy days work for £50!
Olga Bell MMCS Commercial Cleaning
Charlotte Thompson Pilgrims Gelato
who’s joined recently
Sarat Pediredla Hedgehog Lab
Tanya Garland Cool Blue Brand Communications
Paul Edwards Edwards Commercial Cleaning Services
Tony and Caroline Cleary Lanchester Wines
Dave Allan and Martin Walker Resolution Media & Publishing
Fraser Brown MotorVise (Automotive)
25
What are you most proud of?
Lisa: Surviving the pandemic, retaining all my staff and safeguarding their jobs, and building a new business in that time. And, of course, raising my two little boys.
What would your specialist subject be on Mastermind?
Amy: Successful people are great, but it’s ambitious people who I love to be around. Ambition is infectious and I’m looking forward to surrounding myself with people who I can learn from.
Amy: My dad. He’s the best story teller. When my brother and I were little he’d take us on brilliantly long adventures in our pyjamas. Now, my dad has decided to start writing age 60. He sends me the books before he sends them on to what seems like hundreds of publishers. As of yet he hasn’t got a book deal, but it hasn’t stopped him (he’s on book six!). His dedication is unwavering and honestly I couldn’t be prouder.
Lisa: Create lifelong relationships in the region and continue to be inspired and learn from some of the best business leaders.
Lisa: Sales and Marketing Executive at Amy:Sage.Waitress in Bimbis fish and chip restaurant under the old Odeon in Newcastle.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Who, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with?
Lisa: I’d go backwards to spend time with the people who are no longer with us. I’d also go forwards to get insight into what the world looks like in 20-30 years and use those insights to be ahead of the curve.
What do you hope to achieve with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum?
Lisa: I’m an obsessive learner and I used to run a salsa business.
How do you unwind or deal with stress?
What was your first job?
Lisa: Spending time with my boys and my husband hiking. Reading, yoga and running followed by a large glass of red wine.
Lisa: Not following my dreams and regretting not doing the things that really mattered to me. This is also my mission - to ensure this happens!
Amy: Michelle Obama.
Offering a proactive and tailored approach to recruitment across Manufacturing and Engineering sectors.
Amy: I used to be a holiday rep. If you ever did an 18-30s in the late 90s/early 00s, we may well have met on a pub crawl.
What does your business do?
What is your biggest fear?
Lisa: Richard Branson and Stephanie Nadi Olson.
Unwritten Group is a strategic marketing consultancy working with business leaders and marketing teams to build strategies that power growth. Fabric is a marketing training academy built to empower the most ambitious marketers to thrive.
Unwritten Group
Amy: Cross sections. Such as a cross section of a riverbank in a school Geography book, but the worst is marrowbone cross sections you sometimes see on dog food adsurrrgh. Not a fear as such, but my god I hate cross sections.
Amy: Back to the beginning of some of my big business mistakes and shout 'no don’t do that, do this instead!'. Saying that, if it wasn’t for those mistakes, I’d not have learnt all the things I did!
Amy: Apart from marketing strategy, I’d have to say boilers (as in domestic gas boilers), this is the reason I don’t get invited to parties!
Lisa: On a beach - reading, relaxing and enjoying a cocktail!
Amy: Being part of a community of like-minded people.
Amy: I’d be a human rights lawyer.
A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
Amy: I’ve just started to run and although I’m not running far yet, just a 30 minute blast completely resets me.
Lisa: The psychology of marketing and how to influence your customers. It most definitely would not be cookery, that’s for sure!
If you weren’t running your current business, what do you think you’d be doing now?
What was the attraction of joining the Entrepreneurs’ Forum?
0191 466 1990 www.extensionrecruitment.com
Lisa Eaton and Amy Mooney
Lisa: The Forum has always supported us in our business journey and has been instrumental in building our network and our businesses. We can’t wait to get back to meeting new and old faces and enjoying all the Forum has to offer.
If you had a time machine, where would you go and why?
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WELL-BEING
We all know, loathe and are sometimes thankful for our inner critic. That little voice in our heads can become our own worst enemy, hijacking our thoughts, replaying embarrassing moments and making us doubt our abilities. So, how do we take back control? How do we use that voice to focus, achieve our goals and reflect on life’s most joyful moments? One of the world’s leading experts and award-winning neuroscientist and psychologist Ethan Kross, has set on a mission to reveal the sheer power of the inner voice, and show us that we all possess a set of tools for harnessing it. Fascinating, entertaining and full of original insights and tips, Chatter will change the conversations you have with yourself forever, and help you lead a happier, more productive life.
cookies and dough-balls, honeycomb and we’re looking to branch out with more free-from products. We wanted to create products which taste good and could be eaten by as many people as possible while continuously working towards creating a sustainably aware company.
I have a jewellery and local artists crafts shop (which I create jewellery for) and a holiday cottage, where I love to do the gardening. I don’t think I would say I have green fingers, so probably would not take it up
Egypt back to the time of Cleopatra. What a woman. Maybe sneak back on the horse of Caesar over to Rome.
What do you hope to achieve with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum?
How do you unwind or deal with stress?
27
I incorporate unwinding into most days. I believe in prevention not cure.
forum favourites
Who, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with?
Loosely based on Michelle Obama’s best-selling memoir of the same name, Becoming is an intimate documentary that looks at the former First Lady of the United States’ important life moments, hopes and connections with others as she embarks on a 34-city tour. This must-watch documentary on Netflix not only gives viewers a rare and up-close glimpse into the life of an inspirational woman, it addresses issues around race, class and encourages us to find our passion and follow it despite any struggles, obstacles and hardships that come our way.
readChatterbyEthan
ThelistenDiaryOf A CEO with Steven Bartlett
I might drive slower or take an extra 10 minutes over lunch, just sit or have a longer shower. You don’t need to slot it in to your diary, just do it.
For stress, I just do or solve whatever needs doing faster, it will be over faster.
What was the attraction of joining the Entrepreneurs’ Forum?
From productive self-help reads to empowering scenes and insightful listens, forum rounds up a selection of motivational media to keep you inspired this autumn…
If you weren’t running your current business, what do you think you’d be doing now?
What would your specialist subject be on Mastermind?
May not be a Mastermind subject but I’m pretty fast and good at being a human conveyor belt when creating things.
If you had a time machine, where would you go and why?
The Diary Of A CEO is the perfect listen for the modern-day entrepreneur. Not only inspiring and insightful, but the podcast’s creator and host, Steven Bartlett, is one of the nation’s most influential entrepreneurs.
I would love to grow my business network and possibly help others in the future.
for my mother’s dandelion wine1p for every 10.
After becoming a university dropout, Steven Bartlett was in financial despair, living alone with nothing but a laptop and a dream. Showing that hard work, dedication and ambition pays off, he’s now the ex CEO of one of the UK’s fastest growing companies, Social Chain. Each week, The Diary Of A CEO podcast welcomes a new guest, all of with different backgrounds, providing a behind the scenes look into the life of an entrepreneur, the challenges, triumphs and everything in between.
I love the idea of meeting other entrepreneurs and taking advantage of the mentoring programme. Starting and maintaining a business is not easy so to spend time and gain inspiration and creativity from others is such an awesome opportunity.
watchBecoming
My whole family, I just love when we all get together at Christmas with partners and nieces and nephews.
It’s wild but I wouldn’t swap it for anything or anyone.
Kross
forum Debonair…aficionadoofbrandco-ownerEvecaughtmagazineupwithMiddlemiss,anddirectormenswearMaster natural autumnclinics22
For Eve, the experience was completely life changing. Despite how gruelling some of the challenges were, the course has allowed Eve to understand her mind and body like never before.
“The Vipassana technique was taught to me during a 10-day course, during which you follow a strict code of
“It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body. It is this observationbased, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that results in a balanced mind full of love and compassion. The course requires hard, serious work. Honestly, the experience was so tough but the benefits outweighed any discomfort.”
discipline, learn the basics of the method and practice from 4.30am to 9:30pm to experience its beneficial results,” says Eve.
reality of the ever changing flow of breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils - we did this for three days! “By the fourth day the mind was calmer and more focused, and we were ready to practise Vipassana itself. This means observing sensations throughout the body, understanding their nature, and developing equanimity by learning not to react to them. For example, if you feel a pain in your back, you have associated the word pain to this but in reality it's just a sensation, it can be hot, cold, or just pressure. Regardless, it will pass. "The retreat is also a no-phone zone, so for 10 days the distraction of emails, notifications and even the urge to take pictures, is completely gone. Not having my phone to hand was very strange at first, as I use it for everything. Taking photos is what I missed the most as I was in such a beautiful place.
For more information visit www.dhamma.org
“It was strange the day we could get our phones back and at first it was a little overwhelming. My daughters
and friends had left me daily voice and text messages for me to pick up at the end of the course, which were so beautiful to hear.”
The practice itself focuses on three core steps, which within them encompass a whole host of challenges of self-control and restraint. From abstaining from coffee to ignoring pain, some challenges are harder than others.
“Just as we use physical exercises to improve our body, Vipassana can be used to develop a healthy mind. You basically live the simple life of a nun/monk. To experience this in the mountains of Sri Lanka where all you can hear are elephants, monkeys and other wildlife, was simply incredible."
What about, just doing nothing at all? It may sound like a completely alien concept, but that’s exactly what Master Debonair co-owner and brand director Eve Middlemiss recently did for 10 whole days and it changed her perspective on life forever. Doing ‘nothing’ is a bit of an oversimplification for Eve’s escape to the mountains in Sri Lanka. Her 10-day residential Vipassana meditation retreat in the picturesque city of Kandy required a hefty amount of mental fortitude and a complete willingness to let go of entrepreneurial stresses.
“The first step is, for the period of the course, to abstain from killing (in relation to eating meat too), stealing, eye contact, talking and intoxicants. This is put in place to calm the mind, which otherwise would be too agitated to perform the task of “Theself-observation.nextstepisto develop some mastery over the mind by learning to fix your attention on the natural
“It was a brutal and beautiful experience. The entire practice really is mental training,” Eve says.
How many hours do you spend doing nothing a week? It’d be pretty safe to assume you probably answered ‘0’ to that question, not taking into account the time you spend sleeping. It’s a safe assumption because life in the 21st century is most often experienced at 100 miles an hour. In the western world we’re continually told by business gurus and online inspirational speakers that we’ve got to make every second of every minute of every hour count, and if we don’t, our competitors most certainly However,will.as many of you may have already experienced, as much as this all-in Gary Vee attitude can achieve results, it can also achieve a rather fast burnout. Your brain becomes overloaded with emails, invitations to meetings and a phone that seems to never stop buzzing. Even the most ambitious of entrepreneurs needs some time to themselves, doing something they enjoy that lets them forget about their business altogether - even for just an hour. But what could be more relaxing than doing something you enjoy?
You read that right, a 17-hour shift in the ancient technique of mindfulness. And you thought an eight hour working day was tough? The preconception may be that meditation is easy, emptying your mind and focusing on the present. But, according to Eve, the course required you to work incredibly hard to get real results.
“Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is a way of self-transformation through self-observation,” Eve explains.
You might be wondering how much this all costs and, surprisingly, it’s free! Flights aside, the course itself is covered by donations from people who have previously completed it and want to give others the opportunity to benefit from it too.
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Then in the years that followed, we’ve really built the platform up. Everything that we do today is focused on helping brands get physical product samples into people’s hands in a way that’s incredibly targeted and data driven,
They’re really important. A lot of it is that they’ve had experiences that I haven’t - from an operating perspective, but also from the other side. It's not always the most pressing thing for me day-to-day, but I think one of the things that they’re good at is taking you out of what’s happening right now and helping you see the bigger picture. It’s an overused phrase, but they ensure that you work on the business rather than in the business. 22
What was the spark that inspired you to found SoPost?
Our board meetings are attended
process of getting to know them before they invested, it showed me what value they had and made me want to have them on the board.
by our CFO, and our Chief Revenue Officer who joined us last October. They’re fairly informal affairs, you’ve got the governance stuff and work together to grow the business and solve any problems that may arise.
We’ve been around for about 10 years now. The business originally started with the mission of creating a dynamic postal address. So it was really built around the idea that your address shouldn’t be a fixed place, it should be where you are at the time and where you want stuff to be sent to. It shouldn’t matter if I don’t know your postcode and I want to send you something because I know your email address, your Twitter handle and things like that. So, essentially we were trying to turn that fixed social ID that everyone knows into a proxy for where stuff should actually get sent.
That’s what I started building out in late 2012. I very quickly realised that there was a big opportunity there but I wasn’t sure about the best way to actually make it happen. Then I ended up, by chance really, being presented with an opportunity to do some product sampling for Avon. Off the back of that opportunity, we shifted the focus of the business and relaunched in late 2013 as a platform that let people gift product samples to their friends.
How did you go about constructing the board after establishing the business?
It's still a pretty small board, just me and two of our investors at the moment. They both have very different backgrounds. One is ex-private equity so they’ve never been an operator of business as such, but they’ve seen it from the other side. They’re very focused on responsible growth and helping us build value in the business.
Take a look behind our members’ boardrooms and discover what makes their businesses tick. In this issue, we chat with SoPost founder and CEO Jonathan Grubin about his revolutionary online product sampling business.
That started when we raised our first seed round in mid-2014. The board at the time was me and one of the angel investors, and our VC had an observer seat.
Then the other is ex-finance as well, but also an entrepreneur. He’s got a number of investments and also runs a white label beauty product development business in the He’sStates.veryinvolved in the governance side of things, but also helps us work strategically through challenges or ideas and opportunities. It's the three of us that formally make up the board.
with a very strong analytics and measurement platform behind it. Essentially, it's about building on the good things that come with traditional sampling, but we’ve worked really hard to strip away the limitations that were there.
behind boardroomthe
How did you go about finding the right investors to bring into the company and onto the board? Honestly, it was hard finding the right people. Both of our board investors I was introduced to and I took a long time to get to know them before I decided that I wanted them financially involved in the Thebusiness.conversations with them were always about investments rather than board seats, but through the
sopost.com autumn
How important is it to have board members that bring value?
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However, little over a year ago, it was an eyesore in the area, standing derelict, its only life the drug users and homeless who’d taken up residence there.
Now, there’s a new player in town – meet Burnside Distribution and E-Commerce Fulfilment.
Founder David Nicholson of the Nicholson Group, tells us more about the company’s journey and his ambitious plans for the future…
David said, “We were in the market for larger premises as we’d outgrown the existing space we occupied on two sites in Billingham.
Occupying a 100,000 sq. ft building which stands proudly off the A66 in Middlesbrough, the business is certainly making its mark on the Tees Valley skyline.
to the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough, and the Infinity Bridge in Stockton, each plays a part in making this area truly unique.
known businessman David Nicholson just two years ago, is hoping to cement its place as one of the area’s most recognisable businesses from its new home in a 100,000 sq.ft. building, located on a 10-acre just off the A66 in Middlesbrough, The building stands loud and proud,
“However, it was immediately evident that the relocation would not be without its challenges. The building was derelict and was being used by drug users and homeless people, and it was in one hell of a state.
“I knew we’d be limited in the choice of available space to meet our needs, so when I found this building at Cambridge Road, I knew it was perfect for us.
its sheer size enough to make people sit up and take notice.
Now, following £300,000 of investment to refurbish the building and extensive work to regenerate the space and give it a new lease of life – all of which were completed in a matter of months, with the help of Teesside based businesses – it’s now is being used as the centre of distribution and e-commerce fulfilment activity for the company. That’s no mean feat when you consider just how run down the building was when David and his team of six were first handed the Firmlykeys.settled into the building, whose exterior has been given a much-needed makeover complete with company branding, Burnside Distribution and E-Commerce Fulfilment along with the other Nicholson Group companies, is now working on establishing its profile within the Tees Valley business community.
Burnside Distribution and E-Commerce Fulfilment may be a relatively new kid on the Tees Valley business block, but it is by no means a small one.
The company, founded by well-
“But, I could see beyond that and had a vision of what the facility could be like, if we could agree terms with the building’s owner”.
The Tees Valley skyline is not short of iconic landmarks.
From the Transporter Bridge, the longest working transporter bridge in the world, and the heavy industrial factories of the Teesside heartland, to the more cultural recent additions of the Temenos sculpture, found next
David is also working with stakeholders and business support
member profile made in Teesside
“It’s a hugely exciting time for the Tees Valley and as a fairly new addition to the area’s business community, I want to do everything I can to get people talking about Burnside Distribution and E-Commerce Fulfilment, which will help position us as the number one name within our sector”
for support to distribute your product, or a large mulit-national company that needs an experienced warehousing and fulfilment partner, the team at Burnside can help.
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organisations to see how his company can benefit from the Freeport status that was granted to Tees Valley by the Government last Coveringyear. 4,500 acres, the Teesside Freeport is the largest in the UK. To put the size into perspective, it is equivalent to 2,550 football pitches. It will create more than 18,000 jobs and provide a £3.2billion boost to the local economy over the next five Freeportsyears. are secure customs zones located at ports where business can be carried out inside a country’s land border, but where different customs rules apply. They can reduce administrative burdens and tariff controls, provide relief from duties and import taxes, and ease tax and
David said, “Although we have no intention of being a bonded facility, we are located right on the pathway of the Freeport zone, and that means we can add value, so what I’m looking at is how we can position ourselves so that we’re the partner of choice for those companies that want to be within the boundaries, particularly those who import and export goods and need secure storage space and a pick and pack facility on Teesside. So, what does the future hold for Burnside Distribution and E-Commerce Fulfilment?
Business manager Seb Luder, who
oversees all day to operations for the company, said, “Our business has evolved since we first launched two years ago and thanks to investment in market leading platforms and the simplified and transparent processes we’ve put in place, we’re able to offer a fully integrated service which streamlines the total fulfilmeant experience for our clients, who in turn continue to grow year on year.
“We are currently expanding our E-commerce fulfilment space to keep up with demand for our existing and potential clients. It’s not the final stage of our refurbishment journey but really sets us up for how we want our business to go moving forward.”
planning regulations. While located geographically within a country, they essentially exist outside its borders for tax purposes.
“Whether you’re a sole trader looking
“Our location is perfect; however, we know we need to get people aware of and talking about our business if we’re to really capitalise on the opportunities that are available through the Freeport status”
For more information visit burnsidedistribution.co.uk
autumn 22 plan ahead
MEMBER EVENT
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
ANNUAL DINNER
Tuesday 22 November 2pm - 4.30pm
2022 North East Entrepreneurial Awards
Justin Urquhart Stewart, Regionally Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle £75 for entrepreneur members
What’s Next? Become a Non-Executive Director Delivered online FREE for all members and partners
Member Lunch (Stockton)
Thursday 24 November 6pm - 8.30pm
From Inception, to Scale, to Sale Ward Hadaway, Newcastle FREE for all members and partners
WEBINAR
Bare Knuckle Negotiating Durham County Cricket Club, Chester-le-Street FREE for all members and partners
Inspiring Future Generations Northumbria University, Newcastle FREE for all members and partners (and your kids)
The Curve, Middlesbrough FREE for all members and partners
Friday 16 September 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Thursday 20 October 5pm - 7.30pm
Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Tickets start at £99 and the event is open to all
Wednesday 5 October 9am - 12pm
Friday 7 October 6pm - 11.30pm
Tuesday 18 October 9.30am - 10.30am
MEMBER EVENT
Tuesday 20 September 6pm - 8.30pm
Thursday 29 September 6pm - 10pm
Let’s Talk About Inflation Brewin Dolphin, Newcastle FREE for entrepreneur members
FOCUS DINNER
The Ship, Redmarshall PAY ON THE DAY for entrepreneur members
SOCIAL EVENT
Changing Countless Lives with Andy Preston
MEMBER EVENT
To view all upcoming events, and to book, visit: entrepreneursforum.net/events/upcoming-events
WORKSHOP
“I thinkingleft I was sorry for those TheTogethermissedwhoout!”WeCanTakeontheWorldLargestEntrepreneurialConference in the North East Thursday 17th November 8am - 5pm Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Early bird booking is open until Friday 30th entrepreneursforum.net/eventsSeptember!