850 of businesses in the North East are set to benefit from a £125m ’super fund’. The new fund - formerly called JEREMIE - underpins the growth of business start-ups, technology-based companies and growing smaller businesses, helping to create jobs and prosperity for the region through targeted loans and equity investments.  5 management companies will target loans and equity investments into the identified areas

• NorthStar Equity Investors will manage the £15m Technology Proof of Concept Fund and the £20m Seed Fund
• IP Group will run the £25m Technology Fund
• Rivers Capital Partners who will manage the £7.5m Angel Match Fund
• Finance Wales Investments will manage the £20m Growth Fund 500
• NEL Fund Managers will run the £20m Growth Fund.

Visit  www.onenortheast.co.uk/page/jeremie

Compete North East’s role is to help North East businesses identify and win major public and private sector tender opportunities, assisting them in identifying and overcoming the barriers which prevent them from bidding for and winning new work. By commissioning a series of focused programmes, the service aims to provide businesses access to expert advice to support them through the process and ensure they are ready to tender ready.

For further information visit www.competenortheast.com or www.competefor.com

Managing Director Carl Buckley said, “We have recruited the best staff and the move to new premises was a natural one. The benefit of a city centre location is an obvious one and our new office will create both a working and client experience second to none.“

Recently recruited to the award winning, full service agency are John Barker as Head of Head of Digital, Giuseppe Davies as Digital Designer and Michelle Tait as Studio Manager.

 South Tyneside based Premier Maintenance and building services are proving they are top of the league by having recently received prestigious recognition by the National Tourist Board.  Premier were awarded a contract by a local guest house to refurbish their premises, they set Premier the task of updating the accommodation to the high standards necessary in order for them to gain the highly acclaimed 4 star status with the National Tourist Board.  After the owners witnessed first-hand the quality of the work being carried out, they immediately added to the scope of work ultimately resulting in Premier refurbishing the whole of the guest house including the living quarters. 

Upon inspection the Guest House was awarded the prestigious 4 star status from the National Tourist Board with flying colours.  In fact the Tourist Board was so impressed with the extent of the workmanship and finish that they requested that they may be allowed to use the guest house in its own literature to showcase the standards needed to gain such a high accolade.  Managing Director, Lee Surtees added “Although we set very high standards on all the work we carry out it is a huge honour and testament to the dedication of our workforce that we have been recognised by such a highly prestigious organisation as that of the National Tourist Board” 

 For further information visit www.premiermaintenanceandbuilding.co.uk

Lynsey commented “It has been a very hectic time and I have had a steady flow of work, starting up during a recession was difficult, but many satisfied clients have passed on my details and slowly my name is becoming known. For part of the time I prepare planning and building regulations applications for clients requiring house extensions and the other part designing workshops for schools and museums around the theme of Architecture. It gives me lots of variety to my week working with people of all ages.”

Two clients have commented,

“I am delighted with the service I received from L Rollins Design. From the initial design concept to the final plans, the service was fast, friendly, flexible and efficient. Even the little extras I required due to my work situation were no problem at all. Highly recommended!” Julie, South Shields

“Lynsey was 100% reliable and always willing to give an honest opinion on our ideas and plans. Lynsey communicated each stage of the process clearly and in an easily understandable way. She was a great help, really professional and I would recommend her to anyone.” Bill, Cleadon Village

Lynsey added it has been a great start in business for my company in a difficult financial climate and I am looking forward to the years to come.

For further information contact Lynsey Rollins on 0191 5373408 or email lynsey@lrollinsdesign.co.uk

Maureen Lindberg and Monique Ewart said they decided to move their company PPM from Newcastle to new offices at The Quadrus centre in West Boldon after winning a new business and taking on their first member of staff.

They say they are looking to win new clients in South Tyneside as well as Newcastle and had already signed up the South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum as a customer.

Ms Ewart said: “ After setting up the business less than a year ago we never imagined we would need to move into permanent office accommodation so quickly. The business has gone from strength to strength and we are looking forward to forging links with organisations across South Tyneside.”

John Wood, South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum’s Manager said: ”It is great that a new companies are setting up within South Tyneside and we welcome PPM to the borough. It is good to see young professionals prepared to apply their knowledge of Employment Law in a way that will support the business community.

The EU-inspired Temporary Agency Workers Directive is due to come into force next year.

It will mean that workers supplied through an employment firm will be entitled to full rights, including holiday pay and sickness benefits, after just 12 weeks in their jobs.

The radical moves could have a major impact on firms of all sizes, according to BiB Insurance, the region’s biggest independent broker.

The Darlington-based firm is calling on companies to ensure they are ready for the full effects of the directive coming into effect in December 2011.

The legislation will ensure that, once the qualifying period has been served, temporary workers will be entitled to equal treatment on pay, holiday and sick pay, benefits such as use of sports facilities or canteens, flexi-time, childcare, medical and dental insurance and care.

Asbestos is found in many products including the following

• SPRAYED COATINGS Found as fire protection on structural supports (e.g. columns and beams).

It is a high hazard asbestos product and can generate Very high fibre levels if disturbed.

• PIPE INSULATION Asbestos thermal pipe lagging is a high hazard asbestos product.

• ASBESTOS INSULATING BOARD (also referred to as AIB) ceiling and door panels. AIB is

a high hazard asbestos product and can generate high levels of fibres if the board is cut or

drilled.

• AIB WINDOW PANEL Like other AIB, this is a high hazard asbestos product, and if in good

condition should be left undisturbed

• FLOOR TILES Vinyl (PVC) or thermoplastic tiles contain asbestos

• ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOF SHEETING Asbestos cement sheeting is often found on industrial

building roofs and walls and domestic garage roofing

• TEXTURED DECORATIVE COATING (such as Artex) Textured coatings contain a small amount of asbestos. The asbestos is well bonded and fibres are not easily released. However, it is still an asbestos product, and as such, needs to be worked with safely

Where does asbestos hide? Check out the HSE hidden killer campaign interactive house www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/hiddenkiller/where-is-it-found.htm

HANDLING IT…. WORKING WITH ASBESTOS…It’s possible that you’ve worked with, or disturbed asbestos before, but now you’re clued up on where asbestos can be found and its health effects, make sure you avoid disturbing it, and that you are trained to effectively deal with asbestos.

Visit HSE website for further information www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm

Editorial contributed by cnm training solutions limited

T: 01325 401876 M: 07977 153727 E: train@cnmtraining.co.uk

Carol said ‘ When I was carrying out research I discovered that although there was a wealth of agencies offering great support and various training and seminars, what was lacking for my particular target market was the ability to have someone actually come into the business, get to know your own particular market and see for themselves the day to day problems that you face and are up against. I also wondered “what about the small businesses who couldn’t afford to take time out, who would work with them?”  It became apparent that this was to be the niche I had been looking for.

My clients often come to me and say they know they need to be working on the business but their time is used working within in the business, that’s where Square 17 step in.

Many small businesses don’t have the luxury of a marketing or business development team, Square 17 work closely with the owner and staff to be just that  “We simply listen to what our clients want to achieve and work with them to get them there.”  We offer a free review to discuss the clients’ current marketing activities and their current customer base and having established what the client would like to achieve Square 17 work hand in hand with the client to meet these objectives successfully.   Much of our work can be carried out on the clients’ business premises to allow their core business activities to continue. 

“Customer care and building customer relationships are also a fundamental part of any business but is sadly often overlooked” says Carol, we work with our clients to show them just how their customers see them and the positive impact that building strong relationships can have on their business.

For further information contact Carol Cain on 0191 5499 087 / 0791 7755 065

visit www.square17.co.uk