1 ISSUE | 410 NORTH EAST EST. 1981 SEPTEMBER 2018 2 3 EDITOR’S WORD Welcome Editor’s Word... Welcome to the September issue his month, North East Times brings in the Aviva Premiership. He reflects on the recent you our second Sports Issue. As accomplishments at the club and why he and his well as showcasing well-known players are hungry for more. sporting personalities with links to In addition, we speak to Sir Bob Murray about the region, we look at the sector’s the £20 million Beacon of Light project, Sir Ian Tcommercialisation and the significance to the North Botham on reviving Durham CCC, Paralympic East. In addition, we reflect on the ways companies cyclist, Dame Sarah Storey, on managing her and organisations are supporting sports clubs in the training, business and a young family, and Takayuki region, through sponsorship, while encouraging an Suzuki, a swimmer from Japan with congenital limb active and healthy lifestyle among their employees. deficiency, who is basing himself in the North East Our cover star this month is director of rugby, to prepare for his home Paralympics. Dean Richards, who has led Newcastle Falcons to its best season in two decades – a top four finish I hope that you enjoy this issue. 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North East. With our modern approach and established © 2018 Published by North legacy, North East Times strives to be the East Times Magazine Ltd. We look to build on the four-decade history of number one business publication in the region, the North East Times title, while embracing the both on and offline. latest digital innovations to engage, inform and entertain our audience. 5 CONTENTS Contents PAGE 32-36 Sir Bob Murray, Beacon of Light PAGE 88-93 Fighting Sprit, Lanchana Green PAGE 112-117 PAGE 60-65 Takayuki Suzuki Dean Richards, Newcastle Falcons 6 MORE PAGE 8: NEWS BULLETIN PAGE 10: DEALS PAGE 14: BURNING ISSUE PAGE 16: APPOINTMENTS PAGE 20-21: IN THE LIMELIGHT PAGE 73-79: BUILT ENVIRONMENT PAGE 87: OUT OF HOURS PAGE 48-49 PAGE 24-25 Angela Ponton, RGS Ian Simon, Tyne & Wear Sport PAGE 88-93: PHOTO STORY PAGE 102-103: TECH PAGE 104-105: CULTURE PAGE 106-107: BUSINESS LUNCH PAGE 108-109: RECIPE OF THE MONTH PAGE 110-111 MOTORS PAGE 118: MY NORTH EAST PAGE 42-45 Dame Sarah Storey PAGE 95-99 Royal Caribbean and Hays Travel 7 NEWS Bulletin BULLETIN BUSINESS North East business confidence holds steady amid economic concern Business confidence in the North East slipped just one point during July to 34 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. ompanies in the North East report an increased confidence in their own business prospects at 48 per cent, up 19 points on last month, but lower economic optimism at 20 per cent, down 21 points. Together, this gives an overall confidence of 34 per Ccent, which remains above the national average of 30 per cent and is and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally just one point below last month’s figure of 35 per cent. and nationwide. Nationally, overall confidence rose one point on June as firms’ Steve Harris, regional director for the North East at Lloyds Bank optimism about the economy climbed two points to 25 per cent. Commercial Banking (pictured), said: “Although it’s disappointing Businesses’ confidence in their own business prospects held steady at to see firms’ optimism in the economy fall this month, their overall 34 per cent. confidence has proved resilient and the North East remains above the The Business Barometer questions 1200 businesses every month national average.” SPORT Multi-million-pound sports facility taking shape at Newcastle University To celebrate a key milestone in the construction of a new £16.2 million Sports Centre at Newcastle University, the team from Clugston Construction were joined by university staff and stakeholders to watch the early sections of the steel frame being lowered into place. The new 5962 square metre building is designed to provide space for performance and recreational sport, plus academic space for sports research and teaching. It will incorporate an eight-court sports hall, four squash courts, Sport and Exercise Science Labs, a second strength and conditioning room, spin studio and a gym. The scheme on Richardson Road, which is located alongside new student residence Park View Student Village, is due for completion by next summer. 8 National news UNLOCK POTENTIAL OF LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE OR FACE TWO-SPEED ENGLAND The Government must build a coherent approach to improve infrastructure across the country and avoid the risk of regions being left behind while others pull ahead in a two-speed England, according to a new report from the CBI. With record levels of public investment in the transport system, and a commitment to developing SPORT major projects – such as HS2, Crossrail and the new runway at Heathrow – the Quantum Sport announce new shareholders Government has shown a strong will to improve North East sports management agency Quantum Sport has announced that Louise Fellows, Pete Cormack, infrastructure across the Martin Smith and Ben Woods – who all have a wealth of experience in the sports world – are becoming country. But the CBI report – shareholders as part of the company’s expansion plans. Driving Delivery: Turning Director and founder of Quantum Sport, James Welch, who was advised by Newcastle-based leading plans into action on independent law firm Muckle LLP, said: “We have enjoyed a period of sustained growth and success recently regional infrastructure – and our new structure will bring the right balance of experience, expertise and drive to take our plans to the identifies concerns that the complexity of infrastructure next level and beyond.” decision-making and a lack of transparency around how investment decisions are made are putting the promise of greater connectivity at risk. 4.8 MILLION BRITS CONSIDERING BECOMING A LANDLORD New research from Sainsbury’s Bank Mortgages indicates that almost one in 10 (9 per cent) of UK adults have shown an interest in taking out a Buy to Let LAW TECH (BTL) mortgage in 2018. This means that across the UK, 4.8 million people could Womble advises council on Visualsoft restructures become landlords in 2018. Of those taking out or TeesAMP senior team considering a BTL mortgage, over a third (35 per cent) Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised E-commerce and digital agency Visualsoft has said a change in income had inspired them to do so, while Middlesbrough Council on a multi-million-pound announced three key senior team changes, as 3 in 10 (29 per cent) remain advanced manufacturing park in the Tees Valley.