Category: Business growth and finance

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North East business trebles in size at the BIC

A regional e-commerce business is gearing up for growth by expanding into an office three times the size at the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

iChoose Limited have moved from 400 sq ft to 1,460 sq ft with plans to further grow the business in space and numbers. The company has seen turnover grow to £675,000 this year and within the next two years are forecast to reach the million mark.

The company, established in 2012, sells phone, tablet and I.T. accessories online. This is the company’s second expansion since moving to the BIC in early 2014. The company’s success has led to them employing six members of staff including two apprentices.

Managing director, Richard Cattle explains: “I started the business from home, whilst I was still employed but soon enough I had outgrown my office in the spare bedroom and it was time to move into professional premises.

“The BICs competitive prices and its managed office space is what won it for me. As a new company, I needed more than just an office and the support from the BIC has been invaluable.”

As of January iChoose began exporting to Germany and France and it is growing all the time, Richard added:
“Although it’s hard work running my own business, it is very rewarding. I am proud that I have set up this business and it’s gone from strength to strength. The future of the company is positive and I hope to continue to expand and employ more staff in the future, whilst remaining at the BIC.”

Donna Surtees, senior space adviser added: “iChoose are a perfect example of a start-up company which really hit the ground running. Richard’s hard work has paid off and it is fantastic that we are able to offer the business larger space when needed, right here at the BIC.”

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North East LEP welcomes devolution deal signing

The North East LEP has welcomed the announcement of today’s devolution deal signing.

Paul Woolston, North East LEP Chair, said: “We warmly welcome the historic devolution deal which represents a huge opportunity for the North East to chart its own course for economic growth and success.

“The government has given our region an unprecedented opportunity which we intend to seize working with our partners across the North East.

“The devolution deal represents an important day in the region’s economic history and demonstrates the scale of the North East’s ambition for growth and prosperity.

“We are also delighted to see that the government recognises the need for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership to have a key role and powers as part of the region’s devolution deal.

“A lot of hard work still needs to be done to ensure that business and the North East LEP play a central role in the delivery of the region’s strategic economic plan.

“Drawing on the world-class knowledge, acumen and experience of our business community is crucial to ensure the North East makes the very most of this devolution of powers and spending.

“The LEP will continue to provide a strong voice for the business community and it is important that it is positioned so that the new mayor has access to a business-led resource with appropriate powers.

“We will embrace the changing role of the LEP which will focus on providing leadership and driving forward on innovation, business support, access to finance and enterprise zones.

“We will continue to work with partners to improve skills needed to deliver growth.”

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An update from the Rural Growth Network

Antony Braithwaite, Chair of the North East Farming and Rural Affairs Network (NEFRAN), gives an update on the progress of the North East Rural Growth Network, three years after its creation.

The Rural Growth Network (RGN) pilot project began in 2012 with £3.2m of funding for the North East from Defra and during the past three years the RGN has been testing ways of overcoming barriers to economic growth in the North East’s rural areas.

As well as working on identifying the key issues which face businesses in rural areas, the project had some ambitious targets to achieve in its first three years and I’m delighted that these have been achieved and even surpassed.

The North East RGN aimed to support the creation of 300 new jobs and 40 new businesses. In fact, the RGN exceeded both these targets, and nearly 200 new businesses have been helped to establish themselves in our rural areas. The RGN has assisted more than 1,000 businesses with either financial support or business advice, and the original objective of helping to set up 53 new enterprise spaces has again been almost doubled, with more than 100 new spaces being created at 13 business hub sites.

The North East pilot programme also supported Rural Connect, a network of rural business hubs which share learning and collectively promote rural business facilities in the region.

Now we’re entering the second phase of the North East RGN which will build on the pilot programme, providing further capital investment in the rural economy, supporting employment and business growth, and also working with NEFRAN to help define the North East LEP’s strategic priorities for resources allocated to the LEP area from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Over the next four years the North East LEP is providing £6m from its Growth Deal Local Growth Fund to enable the RGN to make available support to businesses via the Rural Small Business Development Grant and the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund.

The first of these funds is available to support up to 40% of the cost of capital developments which can lead to the creation of more jobs in the region’s rural economy. The Rural Small Business Development Grant will come on stream later this year and is open to businesses in sectors from food, drink and manufacturing to the creative industries.

One project recently supported by the Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund is The Sill which received a £1m investment into the new national landscape discovery centre which will create at least 120 jobs and contribute almost £5m in visitor spending to the North East economy each year.

We saw fantastic progress made during the three year pilot and the North East RGN now has the opportunity to continue to work with the North East LEP to build on what’s already been achieved and continue to support the North East’s rural economy.

You can find out more about the Rural Small Business Development Grant and the current call for more Strategic Economic Infrastructure Fund projects here .

Home / Business growth and finance / Page 24

North East BIC welcomes third laboratory business this year

A new North East business which uses innovative technologies to quantify the source of bacteria in bathing waters is the latest tenant to move into the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).

The company, Prokarya, moved into laboratory space at the BIC just this month and managing director, Gregg Iceton, believes his company has a revolutionary approach to microbial source tracking as well as identifying bacteria, Gregg explains: “We offer two services; the first is tracking the source of bacteria in bathing waters, reservoirs or any other water sample. The second is identifying what kind of bacteria are within a sample and linking that to in the performance of bioreactors such as sewage treatment works.”

The company became established in May after Gregg completed the S.T.R.E.A.M programme, which enables talented researchers to develop their skills and careers, while obtaining an Engineering Doctorate (EngD), Gregg continues: “As far as I am aware there is no one in the UK offering microbial source tracking at this resolution. The food industry do offer a related service identifying meat species but it’s more to do with food safety and integrity of the supply chain. There are some companies offering DNA sequencing, but no one is offering a full analysis service.

“This source tracking benefits everybody. As there will be less exposure to bacteria, public health will be improved. You could also argue that local economies could benefit because if a beach gets the coveted Blue Flag, tourism could increase. The general public will benefit as there will be no need to spend money on additional treatment or storm water tanks if the pollution isn’t coming from there, which is what I can prove.”

After viewing the space available at the BIC’s Gregg was certain this 14 acre site was the place for him: “The BIC looked like a friendly place that provides help and support to businesses and that was a definite plus for me. It has a community spirit here and that was appealing, plus the lab space was everything I needed.

“My main focus currently is to bring awareness that there is technology out there as well as establishing myself in the market place.”

Prokarya joins two other recent laboratories who have taken space at the BIC; Biosignatures took residency in September as well as a cancer diagnostic company, Arquer Diagnostics, who also have a presence in Cambridge.

Senior space adviser, Donna Surtees, added: “Gregg’s business is the third laboratory we have welcomed to the BIC this year, his comments are very complimentary because a business community is exactly what we aim to create. I wish his business all the best for the future and I look forward to seeing him grow at the BIC.”

www.ne-bic.co.uk

Home / Business growth and finance / Page 24

Newcastle to Newcastle export opportunities highlighted

North East businesses meet delegation from Newcastle, South Africa

Businesses from two very different Newcastles have been meeting at a special event to discuss international trade opportunities.

A delegation from Newcastle in South Africa’s KwaZulu Natal province met with some of their counterparts and small businesses from Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, ahead of South Africa’s Rugby World clash with Scotland at St James’s Park.

Arranged by the North East LEP in collaboration with UKTI, Newcastle South Africa, the Asian Business Club and Cllr David Faulkner from Newcastle City Council, Friday’s meeting at the Beacon Bistro was a great opportunity to look at areas for collaboration between the two Newcastles.

The event, A Private Audience with South Africa, was addressed by LEP chief executive Bob Paton. He shared the LEP’s vision for more and better jobs and creating more and better links with the local and international audience. Colin Bell, the LEP’s North East Growth Hub project manager, highlighted what the North East can offer, while Tony Lewin from Newcastle College discussed enterprise and education, and UKTI’s Simon Crosby spoke about Great British Business.

Ammar Mirza, the current David Goldman Visiting Professor for Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University, and North East LEP Business Support board member, was one of the organisers of the event.

He said: “The landscape of South Africa’s Newcastle is changing and there are opportunities for businesses here in the North East to get involved.

“The meeting provided local firms with some great information about the municipality and the kinds of goods and services it’s looking for. There are some interesting developments underway, which North East businesses could benefit from.”

North East businesses a valuable introduction to the area from Newcastle South Africa’s Lord Mayor Afzal Rehman and Matthew Shunmugam, who heads development, planning and human settlements for the Newcastle Municipality.

The South African Newcastle, located between Johannesburg and Durban, has a strong manufacturing sector, based around the steel, chemicals, cement and textiles industries. Construction, diamond cutting and leisure are also important parts of the area’s economy. Currently, the municipality has a number of major projects underway, including revitalisation of the airport and rail network, plus some major urban redevelopment schemes such as the new civic centre, justice complex, hospital and city centre access improvement works. The municipality is also investing in technology, with a planned technology hub and technopark on the agenda.

Businesses at the event were able to discuss opportunities in more detail with the South African delegation, Cllr Faulkner – who has long championed international links with Newcastle and is a great local ambassador – and UKTI staff able to help firms new to exporting, as well as those seeking to expand their overseas sales.

North East LEP chief executive, Bob Paton, said: “The meeting gave North East businesses a good introduction to exporting and investing in South Africa, and also gave us a chance to share the LEP’s vision with the South African visitors. We’ll be following up our discussions with the South African delegation and look forward to working with them in the future.”

Home / Business growth and finance / Page 24

In conversation with Ammar Mirza CBE, current David Goldman Visiting Professor for Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University and North East LEP Business Support Board member

“Lights, Camera, Action!” A phrase that is synonymous with just getting on with it, and of course movies. Whilst I didn’t expect the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NE LEP) to make movies – although I am sure there are some dashing characters – I was anticipating a whole load of action.

Personally I like to be action orientated and sometimes just dive straight in. However, what I have learned over the years is that the planning stage is just as important as the action or doing stage. And if you don’t get the planning stage right then you will never make the delivery successful. The planning becomes even more important when you have limited delivery resource available, which is absolutely the case with the North East LEP.

So when given the opportunity to become a proud and active member of the Business Support Board, joining likeminded people with shed loads of experience and expertise – but more importantly enthusiasm and commitment ready to give up their own time to make the region a better place – I didn’t hesitate.

Being a board member enables me to get a better understanding of the regional enterprise eco-system and help contribute to shaping the local economy. It has taken a little while to fully appreciate how much planning and coordinating has taken already place, but let me assure you there now is a robust and clear plan on what the North East LEP, acting as an enabler, will help deliver and more importantly what it isn’t here to do.

Now when people ask me what the North East LEP has been doing up until now, I can confidently say that a plan has been developed with a whole host of stakeholders and partners. We have a comprehensive and clear delivery plan that aims to effect better communication, collaboration and critically celebration, of our great North East.

With the launch of the exciting North East Growth Hub we will start to see a whole host of additional linked activities that will truly help transform the economic landscape with an ultimate ambition to create more and better jobs.

So watch this space to hear how the plan is being executed, especially under the stewardship of the incredible Bob Paton. And, I love it when a plan comes together! Now where were those cameras…

By Ammar Mirza CBE

Ammar Mirza CBE is the current David Goldman Visiting Professor for Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University and holds several other posts across the Private, Public, and Third Sectors.

Home / Business growth and finance / Page 24

2016-17 Horizon 2020 Energy Calls for Proposals

The 2016-17 Calls for Proposals from Horizon 2020 Energy are expected to be launched in late September/early October 2015. The exact content of the Calls has yet to be finalised but it is expected that the Calls will cover the following technology areas:

Topic area: Energy efficiency including heating and cooling, engaging consumers, buildings, industry, products, innovative financing
Budget for 2016: €93M

Topic area: Low carbon energy including smart grids, PV, wind, ocean, geothermal, biofuels and CCS
Budget for 2016: €350M

Topic area: Smart cities and communities
Budget for 2016: €60M

Information Days and Brokerage Event

The European Information Days on the new Calls will be held on 14th and 15th September in Brussels. The Information Days will cover all of the topics listed above, with more focused events taking place in October and November, see below. The September Information Days are now fully booked and a waiting list has been put in place. Details can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=events&eventcode=0B56FA95-AFE0-D63B-DD0527FE301EC26C

The Information Days will be broadcast online and recorded so you will be able to access the information even if you are unable to attend the event.

A Brokerage Event will be held in conjunction with the Information Days on 16th September in Brussels. The Brokerage Event is an opportunity to arrange bi-lateral meetings with organisations from across Europe. You can upload your organisation profile, review those of others and arrange meetings on the event website at http://www.b2match.eu/energycall2016

The Commission is also holding Information Days on Energy Efficient Buildings and Smart Cities and Communities. These will be held in Brussels on 16th October and 6th November respectively. Details of the Energy Efficient Buildings event can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=events&eventcode=15D37837-00DB-76EF-F5464112289AFF07

Details of the Smart Cities and Communities event will be available in September. For more information, please visit http://www.euenergyfocus.co.uk/newsletter/horizon-2020-update

For more information, please email [email protected] or [email protected] at RTC North Ltd.

Home / Business growth and finance / Page 24

New features unveiled on North East Growth Hub

New business support platform, the North East Growth Hub (www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk), has unveiled one of the most comprehensive business event listings for the region as part of a raft of new features.

Developed by the North East LEP, in partnership with Escher Group, the new events feed adds to the growing list of resources available to the North East business community via the new platform.

Visitors to www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk can now access the very latest business news, details of business-to-business events across the North East and talk direct to the National Business Support helpline via an online webchat.

The new features follow months of discussion with the North East business community about how to shape and develop the North East Growth Hub that when finished, will be the go-to resource for North East companies looking for information and advice on business support and finance.

Colin Bell, Growth Hub Project Manager, said: “It’s very exciting to be able to launch new features of the North East Growth Hub, especially now we’re in close consultation with North East businesses.

“We’re already hard at work on the next phase of development that will introduce a Knowledge Centre; a place for businesses to access information and guidance on everything from funding and finance to business improvement.

“We’re also developing Growth Hub Communities, a new area of www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk for business people to share advice, knowledge and guidance on specific topics.”

Businesses across the North East are being invited to add their events to the North East Growth Hub by visiting www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk/add-your-event

Companies can also sign-up to contribute to the ongoing content and feature development of the North East Growth Hub by visiting negrowthhub.co.uk/register-your-interest

Bob Paton, chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The measure of success for the North East Growth Hub will be its engagement with the business community.

“We all know the North East is a great place to do business; we’re collaborative, supportive and actively encourage new talent.

“The North East Growth Hub is somewhere businesses can share knowledge and experience to support economic development in the region. Collectively, we can create more and better jobs for the North East.”

Home / Business growth and finance / Page 24

The Business Growth Service working with North East LEP on NE Growth Hub

The Business Growth Service is a government-backed service offering support to businesses to help unlock their growth potential. Cameron Ross, Team Leader for the Northern Region at The Business Growth Service, has been involved in the development of the North East LEP’s new online business support platform – the North East Growth Hub.

“As part of the national Business Growth Service we need to ensure that we are working effectively with our regional Growth Hub to provide a co-ordinated service that can respond quickly to the needs of businesses in the North East.

“We have been involved in initial discussions regarding the structure and content of the North East Growth Hub and continue to have conversations with the North East LEP on current and future services we may be able to offer in support of the Growth Hub,” explained Cameron.

“The Growth Hub will be a key reference point for businesses, helping to identify the support available for all types and sizes of business. It will be able to provide current information and signpost to events, funding and individual projects.”

An early version of the North East Growth Hub is now live at www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk and is currently being tested by businesses across the region.

When complete, the North East Growth Hub will feature the largest listing of business events happening in the North East plus relevant content for business start-ups, private sector business intermediaries and those working to provide SMEs with business support and advice.

Cameron Ross said: “The Growth Hub will be a great place for businesses to make their enquiries regarding current business support provision in the region as they will be linked in with all the organisations offering support of all types to North East businesses.

“The information that the North East Growth Hub holds is current, so there is less chance of businesses going down blind alleys and getting frustrated.

“The Growth Hub will also be able to let businesses know when new support programmes are launched, so it’s important that North East businesses engage with the Growth Hub as soon as they can.”

“The Growth Hub will be easy to access and quick to respond, and both elements are important to businesses operating in a competitive market place who need help and information quickly.”

North East businesses can sign up now to use the North East Growth Hub at www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk/register-your-interest. People are being asked to provide feedback on this early version of the Growth Hub so that it can be shaped according to the needs of the region’s business community.

For more information, email [email protected].