A fast-growing Human Resources specialist is building on recent success by expanding its team.
Middlesbrough-based HR Alchemy has appointed two non-executive directors and welcomed a new HR graduate after a year of continued growth that has seen the company increase year-on-year turnover by 30%.
The first of the new board members is Kevin Fletcher, a respected former employment tribunal judge and senior partner of Stockton-based Jackson’s Law Firm.
Fletcher also operates as consultant solicitor at PG Legal and is a non-executive director at Elring Klinger Ltd.
Fletcher said: “As an employment lawyer, it has been my great pleasure to work with Jo throughout her career, during which she has become one of the region’s most adept and respected HR professionals.”
“I am delighted to have been invited to join the board of HR Alchemy as a non-executive director and look forward to applying whatever wit and wisdom I may have acquired during 40 odd years as a practitioner and ET Judge to the further development of an already thriving enterprise,” he added.
Joining Kevin Fletcher is John Baker who brings with him decades of HR and business expertise having worked as a communications and HR director within the steel industry.
He currently serves on the board of the South Tees Development Corporation and South Tees Site Company, is Chair of the trust board for the Teesside Learning Trust and a trustee of the Middlesbrough Football Club foundation.
Baker said: “HR Alchemy is a flourishing business led by a very experienced HR professional who prides herself on providing a wide range of services which are tailored to the needs of individual clients.
“With my HR and business experience over many years, I am very pleased to be associated with the organisation as a non-executive director, particularly at such an exciting stage of its development,” he added.
HR Alchemy founder Jo Davies believes the appointments will help propel the company forward.
“I’m thrilled to have Kevin and John on the board of directors. To be able to welcome them to the team is a sign of how far we’ve come in such a short space of time,” she said.
“It’s always been my ambition to establish HR Alchemy as the name businesses think of first when seeking help with their HR needs.
“With their combined experience and reputation within the business community, Kevin and John will help take us to that next level,” she added.
HR Alchemy offers a range of bespoke HR services for clients such as Crafters Companion, EEW / Offshore Structure Britain and Mabo Media.
Last year the company launched HRLab, a digital service that clients with fully integrated retained HR cover can access 24/7. This was followed by HR Education, an online platform developed specifically for schools.
To assist in continuing the early success of these platforms as well as the team’s tailored services, HR Alchemy has appointed Emily Knott as a full-time HR Graduate.
“Emily completed her Masters in Human Resources Management last year and won student of the year at the University of Teesside so we are totally thrilled she has chosen HR Alchemy to launch her HR career,” said Jo.
With Emily’s addition, HR Alchemy now has a team of four, in addition to the new non-executives.
Pictured: Jo Davies, Managing Director HR Alchemy, John Baker, and Kevin Fletcher.
The region’s biggest business event has today (July 4) welcomed more than 1,000 industry leaders, company owners and managers from across Tees Valley for a sell-out show.
This year’s packed Tees Valley Business Summit, the eighth annual event, saw more than 100 businesses exhibit at Teesside University’s Olympia Building alongside a busy schedule of workshops and networking.
At the summit, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen welcomed delegates and also and spoke about opportunities for local businesses at Teesside International Airport and the South Tees Development Corporation.
In March this year, the Tees Valley Mayor returned Teesside International Airport back to public ownership. Following their success at turning around London Southend Airport Stobart Group were brought on board as joint venture partners to operate the airport. A 10 Year Rescue Plan to turn the airport around is now being implemented, with land on the 819-acre site available for private investment.
More than half of all developable land at the Development Corporation site has now been acquired and is investor-ready. The wider 4,500-acre site has a first-phase investment pipeline of £10billion and has had more than 100 enquiries from global companies looking to invest in the site.
Mayor Houchen said: “The Business Summit is now firmly established as one of the best places to gain invaluable insight into how our vital companies – from SMEs to market leaders – can grow and work together. I was delighted to see that, once again, there was a great mix of sectors from across the region.
“This year, I could shout even louder about what we are achieving in Teesside. Our airport needs to work for local businesses as well as residents, and it is. Since bringing it back into public ownership a number of contracts have already been awarded to local companies, and many more will be awarded in the coming months. The days of our airport relying on companies in Manchester and London and not supporting local firms are gone.
“The Development Corporation too remains a huge priority. We now have control of over half of the developable land and we have the companies wanting to invest and create the jobs people want to see the site deliver.”
Seminars included talks on Teesside International Airport, led by the Tees Valley Mayor with the Head of Airport Development Phil Forster, and the Development Corporation, by its CEO David Allison. Other topics covered involved finance, international trade and marketing. For the first time, a new Incubator Zone was on hand to help small and micro businesses to tap into specifically tailored support.
It followed another fully booked Tees Engineering Network business breakfast, held ahead of the summit also at Teesside University, which featured presentations from the airport and px, a leading provider of innovative operations management, engineering services and energy management solutions.
Shak Asghar, Tees Valley Business Compass Growth Service Manager, said: “We’ve spoken to dozens of people representing businesses of all kinds across Tees Valley, and had a great response from them all. We’ve been able to give companies big and small support and great networking opportunities, with a good focus on encouraging our key sectors.”
Paul McEldon, Chairman of North East Enterprise Agency, said: “This was another successful summit that we were proud to be part of. In particular, the new Incubator Zone proved to be a hit with the region’s entrepreneurs and new starts, giving them advice on how to get their foot on the ladder of success. Long may it continue.”
It was put together in association with the Tees Valley Mayor, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Tees Valley Business Compass, North East Enterprise Agency Ltd and Teesside University.
A start-up programme which offers early-stage businesses thousands of pounds worth of support is seeking a new cohort of entrepreneurs.
Applications are now open for Teesside University’s latest Launchpad FUEL programme, which could see businesses take a share of up to £30,000 in grant funding to develop their companies.
Launchpad FUEL is a six-week intensive mentoring programme open to Teesside University students, graduates and staff who are in the initial stages of starting a business.
Successful applicants will receive a cash grant as well as expert mentoring and coaching and access to financial and investment support. In addition, there will be a bespoke programme of workshops covering areas such as design, business planning, sales and marketing and presentation and pitching skills.
Launchpad is Teesside University’s enterprise engine and provides a vibrant campus environment for pre-starts, new companies and students with creative spaces to start-up, experiment and collaborate.
To apply for the latest Launchpad FUEL programme, entrepreneurs need to create a two minute video and a 250 word synopsis explaining what their business idea is and how the programme will support them.
The deadline is Friday 26 July and the videos must be uploaded to YouTube with a link and the word document sent to L.Dixon@tees.ac.uk.
Launchpad FUEL will get underway on Monday 5 August.
Steve Dougan, Head of Enterprise at Teesside University, said: “Our graduate enterprises are extremely successful and programmes such as FUEL are essential in terms providing the knowledge and skills which aspiring entrepreneurs require.
“Funding is important in the early stages, but what is equally important is access to advice and mentoring from experienced business leaders and peers who are at a similar stage in their journeys.
“I am looking forward to welcoming the next cohort onto the Launchpad FUEL programme and helping to develop what I am sure will be some truly innovative ideas.”
Teesside International Airport will set out its supply chain opportunities to local engineering firms at a leading Tees Valley business breakfast.
Head of Airport Development Phil Forster will join Patrick Pogue, Group Business Development Director at px, as keynote speakers at the Tees Engineering Network (TEN) event at Teesside University’s School of Business in Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston will introduce the speakers at the breakfast, sponsored by Middlesbrough Council, from 8am to 10.30am on July 4.
More than 100 representatives from the region’s engineering companies are expected to attend to learn about how they can benefit from developments within both organisations, while also networking with key decision-makers in the local supply chain.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen brought Teesside International Airport back into public ownership in March this year, with Stobart Group announced as joint venture partners. A 10 Year Rescue Plan to turn the airport around is now being implemented, with land on the 819-acre site available for private investment. px is a leading provider of innovative operations management, engineering services and energy management solutions.
It takes place ahead of the Tees Valley Business Summit, the region’s biggest industry event which will see more than 100 exhibitors attend the University’s Olympia Building for the summit’s eighth year.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I have made it my priority to ensure that local businesses come first for new airport contracts. Already we have selected four local firms to carry out work, but I want to see that number increase.
“As we continue our 10 Year Rescue Plan to turn the airport around, we’re more eager than ever to engage with even more local companies to see how we can work together to deliver our plan.
“The Tees Engineering Network breakfasts are always packed out with exciting and dynamic local firms looking for the latest opportunities in the Tees Valley, and I can’t wait to see what the TEN event and Business Summit bring.”
Patrick Pogue said: “px is delighted to have been given the opportunity to speak at this TEN breakfast event at the Tees Valley Business Summit and to share the transformation that has taken place in our business over the last few years.
“Headquartered in the Tees Valley and with a team of more than 500 specialists operating from ten sites across the UK, px provides a range of engineering consultancy and energy trading services and has over 25 years’ experience of managing, operating and maintaining some of the UK’s largest industrial facilities.”
Jamie Brown, CEO of Francis Brown Ltd and one of the founding members of TEN said: “Moving the TEN breakfast to the morning of the Business Summit will undoubtedly boost the numbers at both of these brilliant events.
“We’re incredibly proud of our breakfasts, bringing together the region’s engineering supply chain, which is second-to-none. I’d urge everyone to register and come along to see what the airport and px have to offer.”
Tees Engineering Network was set up in 2013 to support the region’s engineering supply chain by keeping businesses informed of new opportunities and provide a forum for networking. It is led by Francis Brown Ltd, Axiom Engineering Associates Ltd, Industrial & Marine Hydraulics Ltd and Nortech with support from Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Find out more about the Tees Engineering Network and keep up to date with future events.
Middlesbrough-based interior design specialist Cocoon & Bauer is celebrating after expanding its team following a period of rapid of growth. Providing interior design services for residential, commercial and hospitality sectors, Cocoon & Bauer has employed a further two interior designers to support its growing base of local and national clients.
Cocoon & Bauer was set up by Teesside University Graduate, Peter Turner, after spotting a gap in the market for commercial, hospitality and high-end interior residential design. He decided the time was right to move back to the Tees Valley after spending ten years at a Yorkshire-based commercial interior design company.
Peter Turner said: “The Tees Valley is a hotbed of growth at the moment, with such vibrancy, ambition and positivity. I decided on the Tees Valley as a location for my business because I not only saw a gap in the market for our interior design services, but also the area is the perfect base for us, with having fantastic travel links to our clients nationwide.”
After a successful first year and series of new commercial client wins and expansion of residential interior design services, the time was right to carry out the next phase of planned growth by expanding his team of interior designers. Josh Ryan and Casey Hall have been brought in to assist in the delivery of interior design services for Cocoon & Bauer’s customers. Casey brings a wealth of experience, previously working in the interior design department of architects and has a passion for residential interior design. Josh, recently shortlisted for an RSA design award, has broad interior design knowledge and along with design, strengthens the business’ 3D visualization services.
Peter continued “As a former Teesside University student, studying Interior Architecture, I worked closely with the university to identify current students and graduates that had the flair and potential to be assets to my team. The interiors courses at Teesside University are some of the best in the country and produce some of the country’s most progressive and skilled designers. Both Josh and Casey both have different strengths that really complement the services Cocoon & Bauer offers.
Reflecting on the company’s first year, Peter said “Good design isn’t inflicting your ideas on to people. If we are designing a residential project, it’s important to understand people’s personalities and tastes and how they want to live in a space. If we are creating a scheme for a commercial client, it’s understanding a company’s values, heritage and what type of working atmosphere it looks to create for its employees. This approach, along with the friendly and honest way we deliver projects, is why we are seeing customers come back to us time and time again.”
The company has worked closely with some of the Tees Valley’s leading businesses, as well as companies across the UK, including Michelin-starred restaurants. The expanded residential interior design service has also seen the company deliver projects at some of the most prestigious addresses in the area.
PD Ports has launched a dedicated rail freight service between Teesport and Doncaster in partnership with GB Railfreight, for its major customer Containerships – Intra-European leader of multimodal transport.
The new service is responding to the growing demand for Teesport as the Northern UK gateway for trade which continues to see year-on-year growth across its container platform. The twice-daily rail service removes 120 daily road movements from the heavily congested UK road network – a journey of 90 miles each way per vehicle. In this way also reducing CO2 emissions and increasing sustainability, one of the major strategic targets of Containerships.
Containerships’ confidence in PD Ports’ capability to deliver a reliable service to its end customer was cemented during a four-week trial period this spring. The service carries 56 boxes per day in two trips, outward journey from Doncaster – Darlington – Teesport and returning from Teesport – Yarm – Doncaster.
The end customer, IKEA Transport & Logistics Services, has high expectations of the supply chain’s performance.
“To us delivery accuracy is of key importance. At the same time, we have a very ambitious decarbonising agenda and actively seek to reduce our environmental impact wherever possible. To shift from trucks to trains is one way of reducing the number of shipments and fuel used per shipment,” says Elisabeth Munck af Rosenschöld, Head of Sustainability, IKEA Transport & Logistics Services.
Jari Lepistö, Chief Commercial Officer at Containerships, is very positive about this new service: “Reliability and sustainability are core values for Containerships and its customers. We were looking for reliable partners to move large amounts of cargo with increased volumes coming from the Baltics in a sustainable way. We needed an effective daily plan to move containers to Doncaster when satisfying one of our major customers, IKEA Transport & Logistics Services’ environmental targets.”
Using its trusted reputation and experience, PD Ports has created a platform to connect shipping lines with rail operators to deliver a first-class solution for its end customer.
Geoff Lippitt, Group Business Development Director at PD Ports, said: “Rail is at the forefront of our agenda at Teesport, providing vital UK connections for our customers and delivering significant environmental and cost-saving benefits.
“We continue to see consistent growth in our container volumes at the port, reflecting not only the trust and confidence customers have in our ability to deliver reliable services but also in our capacity to offer frequency and flexibility, which is vital to their supply chain.”
PD Ports’ Key Accounts and Rail Development Manager, Patti Burt added: “We’re delighted to be working with one of our longest serving customers, Containerships and GB Railfreight in creating a solution that not only delivers exceptional and reliable service, but which offers considerable economic benefits.
“During the trial we have proven the concept; the operational capability works at both terminals which is a testament to the fantastic teamwork involved in the whole partnership. We look forward to a strong, ongoing relationship.”
John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight said: “This new intermodal service underlines the growing importance of rail freight in meeting the supply chain needs of leading global businesses. Rail freight offers the certainty and reliability required to support complex supply chains.
“At a time when business is under increasing pressure to improve their sustainability credentials, rail has the advantage of being significantly more environmentally friendly than road transport.”
Teesside independent commercial property consultants Dodds Brown LLP and national agents CBRE have brought to the market a new café / bar/ restaurant unit as part of the Centre Square grade A office development in the heart of Middlesbrough city centre.
Located on the ground floor of 1 Centre Square, which will be home to 720 Middlesbrough Council staff when they relocate from the Civic Centre later this year, the unit extends to 4,500 sq ft with potential for subdivision and a generous external seating area opening onto Centre Square opposite MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art).
“This will undoubtedly be the best located Cafe/restaurant unit in Middlesbrough and will build on the recent success of the Holiday Inn Express, national restaurant brands Bistrot Pierre and Turtle Bay and the independent food and beverage operators on Baker/ Bedford Street which have all raised the standard and broadened the appeal of the food and beverage offer in the city centre,” explains Richard Wilson, Senior Associate Partner at Middlesbrough-based Dodds Brown.
“The city centre now offers a first class performance venue in the newly refurbished town hall and with a recently opened Premier Inn and a new Best Western Hotel planned for Vancouver House on Corporation Road, the new Food and Beverage unit presents an unrivalled opportunity for the right operator to capture the day time trade from the office workers that will be based in the new Centre Square offices, but also to benefit from shoppers and leisure visitors extending right through to the evening and night time economy.”
James Fox, Director in the Leeds office of CBRE, adds: “Centre Square is one of the most important civic open spaces in the region and will increasingly be the focal point for events and activities, while Middlesbrough has a growing reputation for hosting major events, such as Radio One’s Big Weekend, a Take That concert and Rugby League World Cup matches in 2021.
“Phase two of Centre Square will bring a further 100,000 sq ft of office space and once completed potentially a total of 3,000 office workers for the whole development. Phase two will also have a cluster of restaurants, cafés and bars in a further ground floor food and beverage space of 5,800 sq ft, opening out onto Centre Square.”
Further information about the Food and Beverage opportunities at Centre Square is available from Richard Wilson at Dodds Brown on tel. 01642 244 130, or from James Fox at CBRE on tel. 0113 394 8800. Further information about the grade A office space in Centre Square is available via the Centre Square website.
Business leaders are being urged to get behind a vital ecosystem to help the region’s businesses improve productivity and attract and retain talent.
Teesside University Business School is leading on the creation of the ecosystem and this week hosted key business and community leaders to update them on how it was enabling the region’s industry to innovate and collaborate.
The event which was opened by the University’s chancellor, Paul Drechsler CBE, follows the opening of the new look £7.5 million Teesside University Business School in December 2018.
At the opening, businesses were asked to suggest ways which they would work with the University to enable an entrepreneurial ecosystem to flourish across the Tees Valley.
This week they heard how staff and academics from the Business School have been working to develop those suggestions and enable the ecosystem to flourish.
Chancellor Paul Drechsler CBE said: “Since I formally opened the Business School in December I’ve been incredibly impressed by the momentum it has built. Pace, ambition and collaboration have been key.
“The University is a key player in this ecosystem and has set out to position the Business School as pivotal to the future success, acting as a magnet for talent and a hive of ideas, innovation and inspiration.”
Projects which are already established are LEAP 50, a programme which has been developed in conjunction with the Tees Valley Combined Authority, to work with ambitious businesses to support them to scale-up and is now acknowledged as helping to support the companies which are best placed to grow the region’s economy.
In addition, the Business School offers a number of options for flexible learning delivered in collaboration with employers. These include an innovative MBA degree apprenticeship which allow aspiring senior leaders to study for a qualification and apply their knowledge in the workplace.
The MBA is also available through the University’s innovative new online distance learning platform.
The ecosystem is centred around six key areas: policy, finance, culture, support, human capital and markets.
Dean of the Business School, Dr Susan Laing said: “The elements which will make this ecosystem a success are the surrounding environment, the participating actors and the culture and attitudes.
“We are therefore delighted that so many key figures from the world of business and industry are already engaging and collaborating with us to help make this vision a reality.
“It was fantastic to welcome them back to the Business School to show them how far we have progressed with this mission since they first learnt about it six months ago.”
For more information visit tees.ac.uk/businessschool
TBS Teesside Business School ecosystem event
A highly innovative games company based in the Tees Valley has entered into a partnership with Teesside University to deliver more opportunities for graduates in the region.
Double Eleven has signed a memorandum of understanding with the university which pledges that the two organisations will work together to encourage and develop collaborative activities.
The Middlesbrough-headquartered games studio which has worked on best-selling titles including Crackdown 3, Prison Architect, Lego Harry Potter and Goat Simulator, employs approximately 84 people, a significant proportion of whom are Teesside University graduates including its CEO and founder.
As well as accessing graduate talent, Double Eleven has worked closely with the University on a number of different projects since it was founded in 2009.
The two-year memorandum of understanding will formalise that relationship with both parties committing to work together in a range of areas including knowledge exchange activities, research projects, course development, graduate placement and internships, bespoke training and staff exchanges.
Mark South, Chief Operating Officer of Double Eleven, said: “Year after year as we continue to push our business forward, the scale, technical and commercial complexities of our projects continue to increase and we need to be well equipped to handle it. We are constantly in a state of learning and evolution, never believing that what worked last year will work this year; be it due to changing consumer preferences, industrial organisation or other factors we can’t yet see in the games industry. Given Teesside University’s track record for forward-thinking and innovation, it only made sense to formalise that relationship.
“On a broader scale, I believe that both ourselves and the University have a more significant role to play, in both raising an awareness of the great things already happening here in our sector as well as raising aspirations for the next generation. We need to stand up and be noticed. I see the University as central to all of the things that make this region a clear choice for people who want to work in technology to live and join the community. We, with them, will make a visible contribution to that.
“I’m looking forward to helping our two organisations become more integrated. The University is one of the Tees Valley’s biggest employers known for its strengths in computing and computer games, and we are a highly specialised games publisher and developer working on some of the best games in the industry, so I’m very excited to be working together more closely.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) Professor Jane Turner OBE DL added: “We’ve always enjoyed an excellent relationship with Double Eleven and this memorandum of understanding will undoubtedly strengthen and formalise that while helping to enhance the digital cluster in this region.
“We’ve identified a whole series of activities that we will work collaboratively on, and I am particularly keen for our students to better understand the amazing talent that resides in regional digital businesses like Double Eleven.”
For more information on courses in games, animation and computing at Teesside University visit www.tees.ac.uk/scma
Teesside-based engineering firm Avenium Engineering Ltd, previously known as Prosafe, has received a £225,000 investment from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
Avenium designs, supplies, installs and maintains process safety systems for the oil and gas, petrochemical, processing and energy industries across the world.
Established three years ago, the company has a team of highly skilled engineers who provide bespoke solutions to major blue chip clients to optimise production, reduce down-time, reduce risk and contribute to an overall safer, more productive asset.
The firm recently moved into new premises in Middlesbrough and now has 1,500 sq-ft of combined warehousing, office, and recreational space.
The FW Capital funding will be used to facilitate the growth and development of the business in the new premises. Up to four new jobs will be created as the firm looks to make key appointments.
Steve Teasdale, Investment Executive at FW Capital, said: “Avenium Engineering is an established business with a strong blue chip customer base. The experienced management team has a clear vision for growth and development and is on track to more than double turnover.
“Our funding comes at an exciting time for the team and we are delighted to have been able to provide this support.”
Avenium Engineering Managing Director, Greg Hynes, said: “It was a pleasure to work with Steve and the FW Capital team. Our partnership means we were able to access the funds we needed to help implement our growth plan and further develop the business in our fantastic new premises.
“Almost immediately after receiving the funds from FW Capital we implemented our growth strategy, created one full time position, and introduced a new product range to the business. I’m very optimistic about the future and looking forward to developing the business, and creating opportunities in our region.”
Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said: “Our region is a world-renowned centre of excellence for the chemicals, engineering, and processing industries, with some of the world’s biggest companies having a presence here. So it’s no surprise that Avenium Engineering has rapidly become a world-leader in its sector serving global bluechip companies from its Middlesbrough HQ.
“In the last 18 months NPIF has invested £10 million in 32 local companies, and I’m pleased to see yet another Teesside company being supported, supporting and creating good quality, well-paid jobs for local people in Teesside.”
Mark Wilcockson, Senior Manager at British Business Bank, said: “Since its launch in 2017, NPIF’s impact on businesses has been wide-ranging, providing funding to launch new products, employ new staff, enter new markets and acquire new facilities. We are pleased that NPIF is continuing to unlock the Tees Valley’s growth potential by supporting small growing businesses with vital investment.”
Operating from the British Business Bank’s Sheffield head office, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund provides a mix of debt and equity funding (£25,000 to £2m). It works alongside ten Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the combined authorities and Growth Hubs, as well as local accountants, fund managers and banks, to support Northern-based SMEs at all stages of their development.
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
Pictured: Mark Wilcockson, Senior Manager UK Network, Yorkshire, Humberside and Tees Valley, NPIF, Greg Hynes, Managing Director, Avenium Engineering and Steve Teasdale, Investment Executive, FW Capital.
