TWO of South Tyneside’s leading entrepreneurs gave tips to fellow borough business bosses in a special ‘chat show’.
John Lightfoot, MBE, managing director of SolarSolve, based at Tyne Dock, and Richard Ord, owner of Colman’s, South Shields’s award-winning fish and chip restaurant, took part in a David Frost-style interview at the annual general meeting of South Tyneside Business Network (STBN) .
During an interview by STBN executive member David Baxter, Mr Lightfoot and Mr Ord both told how they built their business up from humble beginnings to nationally-known brands, their biggest challenges and hopes for the future.
After an engaging and humorous session, Mr Lightfoot and Mr Ord were presented with thank-you gifts from the membership.
Chairman Peter Brumby commented: “This was the first time we have tried this “chat show” format and the feedback I have received as been very positive. Both John & Richard are sucessful local businessmen and our members really appreciated to here directly from them how they built up their respective businesses. The ability to chat on a one to one basis after the formal interviews was also appreciated. This is what networking is all about.
The Committee are already planning a similar event for later in the year.”
Begbies Traynor’s quarterly Red Flag Alert statistics show all sectors in the North East are continuing to suffer from increases in distress signals compared to a year ago, however, the region’s businesses have shown dramatically fewer signs of distress than those in other UK regions.
Although the levels of firms with critical and significant problems remain high, the rate of increase has slowed in some sectors and evidence shows the North East is faring better than other regions.
The first quarter of 2009 saw 5,019 North East companies showing significant problems (defined as companies with either a court action and/or average, poor, very poor, insolvent or out of date accounts), up 79 per cent on the same period last year, according to the quarterly statistics released by leading business rescue, recovery and restructuring experts, Begbies Traynor.
Although 119 companies were facing ‘critical’ problems (those with CCJs totalling over £5,000 or Winding-Up Petition related actions within the past three months) in the first quarter of 2009, this represents an increase of only 28 per cent on the same period the previous year, compared with an 87 per cent increase nationally.
Some of the sectors which have previously been most severely affected including manufacturing and financial services appear to be stabilising. The construction (25% growth), retail (5% growth) and automotive (5% growth) sectors continue to show the fastest escalating problems.
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There is light at the end of the tunnel for sick and ailing companies and their concerned owners/directors. Arbeia Business Services have introduced their ‘Small Company Doctor Scheme’ featuring a free and confidential consultation. A comprehensive problem solving service designed to provide practical solutions is available to improve companies’ corporate health and safeguard the interests of shareholders and directors.
This new development is created to guide directors and shareholders of both existing and new companies through the minefield of corporate legislation that has been brought into even closer focus by the current recession. Built upon forty years of corporate services experience, Arbeia Business Services is the perfect antidote to corporate problems.
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South Shields based Solar Solve Marine has taken advantage of the latest developments in battery technology to launch a battery operated range of their world famous SOLASOLV roller sunscreens for marine applications.
Well known and respected throughout the international maritime industry as being the global brand leader, the spring and clutch operated SOLASOLV roller screens were introduced in 1987, followed a few years later by electrically motorised options in both low voltage and mains voltage formats.
The demand for electrically operated screens has never been particularly strong, due in part to the cabling requirements. These obstacles are totally eliminated with the battery operated screens and the 20-meter-range hand held remote control that operates using radio frequency, eliminating the need to be in direct line of site with the screens.
The compact tubular motor is powered by 8 easily obtainable ‘AA’ batteries, either disposable or re-chargeable and the screens can be programmed to operate in groups or individually. With lithium batteries, one charge is expected to last 12 to 18 months of normal operation.
Full details of Solar Solve Marine visit www.solasolv.com
Provide a range of quality service to all types of businesses. The facility in Hebburn allows the containment, storage, inspection and sequencing of component parts to manufacturers. Trained and Qualified inspectors are helping many industries with quality assurance in processes and their supply chain. The Quality School offers companies training to understand the principals of quality and how to achieve continuous improvement in all applications and processes within their own business.
T: Mike Arnot on 0191 489915 / 07950 039 474
E: marnot@tamworthquality.com
Craig has a highly successful background in press and advertising photography. Working in local and national printed and online media for 10 years, he has photographed an extensive range of high profile events, people and occasions. He is fully NTCJ qualified as a Photo Journalist and is also a Member of the Master Photographer’s Association.
T: Craig on 07722784323 / 0191 440 3338
E: enquiries@craiglengphotography.co.uk
W: www.craiglengphotography.co.uk
Where does each month go!
We are already a quarter of the way through 2009 and it seems only yesterday that we were welcoming in the New Year.
However in terms of the Network our new year is only a month old which means we begin the task of sending out membership renewal letters following the ratification of the £75 annual membership fee at the AGM which was held in conjunction with our April Networking meeting. The executive committee took the decision not to increase the fee based on the current economic climate and in the hope that you, our member, would continue to recognise the great value for money that it represents, especially following the re launch last year of the website with its directory listing, event section and recently added news section incorporating new member information, member press releases, business news and network news. If you have yet to visit this section why not take a look now, www.stbn.co.uk, and even take time to add your comments.
On behalf of the Committee, I wonder if I can ask you a favour? As you renew your membership for the current year, we were wondering if you would like to recommend the Network to a business colleague? The more members we have the stronger we are and the more we can offer members. The Network is here to give real benefit to all local businesses. Please, please spread ‘the word’!
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My thanks once again to everybody who attended last month’s member meeting which looked at Customers and how to make the most of them. Although I was unable to attend, the reports I have received were all very positive and it is great to know that attendance continues to be around the 50 mark.
Attached you will find details of this month’s members briefing. The meeting will incorporate the Network’s Annual General Meeting. The AGM is important and allows members to ask the committee any questions about the running of the Network as well as formally approving the accounts, the appointment of the committee for the coming year and to conduct any other business relevant to an AGM.It is anticipated that the AGM will take no more than ½ an hour.
After the formalities of the AGM it will be back to networking. Our own David Frost (read Baxter!) will be in conversation with local businessmen, John Lightfoot of Solar Solve Limited and Richard Ord of Colmans’ Fish & Chips Restaurant. Both of these very successful businesses are based in South Tyneside and I will be surprised if you do not receive a nugget or two of hints to help your business.
Our usual buffet will be provided at the end of the end of the discussion. All in all, another stimulating night is in prospect.
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