NORTHERN INSIGHT APRIL 2018 FROM PRIMARY TO PROSPERITY business property media technology education motors arts leisure issue 34 SB Ad (NI) April.qxp 28/02/2018 10:23 Page 1 #AskSB H e r m a n M e l v i l l e , M o b y - D i c k CALL ME Ishmael The best first line, ever? It’s all about perception and first impressions and so it should be with your business.Clarity of purpose and offer wrapped up in a memorable brand is crucial to your own story, which is where we come in... Silver Bullet: your truly integrated service Do you need help communicating your brand story? Talk to us @SilverBulletPR [email protected] www.silverbulletmarketing.co.uk t: 0191 261 7422 Since 1931 our family business, est.1888, has dedicated AGA displays, with all current models, col- supplied and installed AGA Cookers in homes our ranges and specialist AGA Cookshop. Our expert throughout the North East and Yorkshire. staff can demonstrate the workings of this renowned We also supply a wide variety of high quality range cooker, and show why an AGA is more than just a cooker and refrigeration brands for all kitchen styles cooker. As Range Cooker Specialists our showroom is and sizes. A North East company you can trust, our filled with leading cooker brands such as Wolf, team are dedicated to providing you the best advice, Lacanche, Steel, Rangemaster and Falcon. ESSE price and service to ensure that you find the best Range Cookers are our latest addition for this Spring. appliances for your kitchen. Based in Gateshead, We also have a selection of refrigeration displays from just off the A1, our magnificent showroom has leading brands Sub Zero, Steel and KitchenAid Visit our showroom today 1 Stirling Court, Eleventh Avenue North, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0JF www.wdix.co.uk 0191 482 0033 NORTHERN INSIGHT FOREWORD Welcome to the April edition of Northern Insight In my foreword last month I mentioned the onset of Spring before the “Beast from the East” unexpectedly struck to test the resilience of all local businesses. Thankfully we have emerged from that unscathed to bring you another bumper edition. Our cover star is Ammar Mirza CBE, founder of the Primary to Prosperity campaign who talks in a wide ranging interview about the importance of championing our North East. Look out for our major interview with TORRO Cases which is a true story of local entrepreneurship succeeding on a global scale. Amongst some terrific social coverage we feature the regions amazing sporting success at Sport Newcastle’s annual fundraising dinner. Also check out our visit to the wonderful Colmans Seafood Temple in South Shields. A true catch of the day! 42 All in all much to enjoy and enthuse. Thank you for your continued support. Till next month. Michael Grahamslaw, Publisher CONTENTS APRIL ‘18 Business News 6-7 Feature Q&A 14-15 Billy Johnstone, TORRO Cases Cover Story 16-23 Ammar Mirza CBE Finance News 24 Manufacturing News 50 114 Legal News 74 Media News 102 Technology News 116 Arts News 130-131 Travel 134-135 Comment With... 162 Barry Speker CREDITS Managing Director - Michael Grahamslaw Design - Louise O’Rourke Web Design - Mediaworks Cover Photography - Simon Williams, Crest Photography Additional Photography - Gordon Taylor, Angela Carrington Editorial Contributors - Jack Grahamslaw, Graham Courtney, 132 Steve Russell, Holly Grahamslaw www.northern-insight.co.uk facebook.com/northerninsight @NInsightmag All photos are copyright MJG Publishing Ltd and are taken solely for use in Northern Insight. If you wish to purchase a photograph please contact Michael Grahamslaw on [email protected] Photo charges £50 for a single image, £295 for full buy out of a photo shoot. 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Advertising must be received the month or no responsibility is accepted for errors. by the 20th of the month. No responsibility is accepted for errors. © 2015 Published by MJG Publishing Ltd 5 BUSINESS NEWS NEWCASTLE HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS HONOURED WITH LORD MAYOR’S SPECIAL AWARD The new Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG) building designed by Ellis Williams Architects and built by Wates Construction has been recognised as an exemplar of architecture and environmental design by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle. The honour was bestowed as part of the Lord Mayor’s Design Awards in recognition of NHSG’s new senior school building, which opened in September 2016. The Lord Mayor, Councillor Linda Wright, was particularly impressed with the combination of works to the existing school and the addition of the dynamic new building, which has created a new learning environment whilst maintaining a historic link with the school’s past. Commissioned by the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), the 12-month build programme comprised the refurbishment of the school’s iconic Victorian buildings at Tankerville Terrace, as well as the creation of a new three-storey block. The new development hosts a multi-purpose assembly hall and performing arts venue, dining room, fitness suite, state-of-the-art science laboratories and additional classroom spaces. At the same ceremony, NHSG was also a commended finalist in the new building category. The judges described it as an ambitious school project which provided modern facilities in a sensitive manner. Hilary French, Headmistress of Newcastle High School for Girls, said: “We love our new building and are delighted that it is gaining the accolades it deserves. We are grateful to the teams of people who surpassed our expectations to create what is now an award- winning building.” FLAME EYE UP RECORD FUNDRAISING £14,000 over the course of 2017 for chosen charities within the region. Flame is hoping to exceed this in 2018 in aid of South Shields man Paul George, who suffers from relapse and remitting MS. Paul was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 30. This fundraising will help him to access life-changing treatment to halt its progression. Established in 2008, FACT supports people living with cancer and their families through a range of services. It has relationships with health professionals, support groups and services, as well as wider voluntary organisations that help to deliver a range of educational and awareness programmes in the North East. Joanne Smith, Founder and Chair of the Trustees at FACT, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the support of Flame Heating Group in our 10th Birthday year. As a local charity, we rely very much on the support of local people and businesses to provide our much-needed services. All of the funds raised will directly help people affected by cancer in our local communities.” Flame Heating Group is hoping to smash its fundraising record after John Savage, Managing Director of Flame Heating Group, said: “It’s important announcing that Newcastle-based Fighting All Cancers...Together (FACT) to give back to communities and worthy causes. FACT does fantastic work is now the company’s chosen charity of 2018. across the region to support those living with cancer and to help raise The North East-headquartered Heating & Plumbing merchant raised awareness.” 6 BUSINESS NEWS NORTH EAST DRIVING AUDIO-VISUALS A PROM DRESS BUSINESSWOMAN TO A GREENER FUTURE WITHOUT THE STRESS LIGHTS THE WAY FOR LIMITLESS ACHIEVERS A North East audio-visual entrepreneur has Online store Dressi has recently opened a new overhauled his business to light the way to exclusive dress shop on Salter’s Road Gosforth A dynamic business woman has set up a new consultancy to help people in the region reach a better future for our planet. He now hopes with the aim of helping women and girls look that other local businesses will follow his green their true potential and leave their perceived their best at social events. policy by making changes that will benefit the limitations behind. environment. The end of year school prom is now seen by many Steph Edusei, from New Hartley, has enjoyed an Reed Ingram Weir runs two successful audio-visual teenage girls as the most important social event impressive career. She has successfully held a companies, Ingram AV and Festoon Lighting. His of their lives. More than 85% of schools in the UK number of top North East management positions, enterprises supply sound and lighting equipment now have a prom night and our region’s schools are including Directorate Manager at Newcastle-upon- to events, businesses and bands, while his clients no exception. Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. include local venues such as Northern Stage and Although they already have a successful, specialist Steph’s vast amount of experience has now inspired Sage Gateshead. fashion presence online, Dressi are now opening her to start her own management consultancy, A New View. The agency aims to provide support Reed recently became concerned with his energy their first shop in Gosforth to help the region’s and training to help people fulfil their business consumption.