North East-based PD Ports has secured a deal with Dutch shipping line, Cargow which further strengthens Teesport’s platform and market position as a port of choice for shippers accessing the North of the UK for onward distribution of trade.
PD Ports already works with seven shipping lines, including some of the world’s largest, and this new relationship will see a direct bi-weekly connection with west coast of Norway, east coast of Iceland, Faroe, Shetland, and Rotterdam providing additional connections for key sectors in the Tees Valley including project, offshore, wind, oil and gas.
The new relationship demonstrates the significant confidence and trust that global shippers have in Teesport to deliver an unrivalled service quality, backed by excellent UK-wide transport links for further distribution. It will support long-term sustainability for both PD Ports and other local businesses, including jobs and overall economic prosperity in the Tees Valley.
Kim Catterick, general manager – key accounts at PD Ports said: “Developing this relationship with Cargow demonstrates our size, scale and capability to support growing requirements of international trade, putting us at the forefront in the UK for facilitating trade movements as an asset of national importance.
“The relationship strengthens our position here at Teesport as a port of choice, with Cargow joining many other shipping lines choosing this as a route for transporting goods to their closest end destination in a more efficient and cost-effective manner – a core service strength of PD Ports.”
The Cargow deal is a new market to PD Ports and the company will transport the ship’s cargo to / from the Midlands via its extensive road haulage fleet.
Stefan Stefansson, CEO of Cargow said: “We have chosen Teesport because of its location, accessibility and connectivity for onward transport, as well as its high service level. We are pleased that Teesport is being added to our network and have confidence in PD Ports because the company is well experienced in handling both containers and project cargoes.”
The vessel calling at Teesport is MV FRIGG W (pictured), a container and heavy lifting/project cargo vessel represented by Messrs CockfieldKnight.
Teesside University is partnering with one of the UK’s largest training and education specialists to provide businesses with access to a broad portfolio of qualifications to meet business needs.
The strategic partnership with Learning Curve Group will position the University as its higher education provider of choice.
This means that employers working with both organisations will have easy access to qualifications ranging from Level 1 GCSE qualifications, or equivalent, through to post-graduate degrees. A one-stop shop for all their training needs, taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the apprenticeship levy.
Teesside University has an established reputation for being responsive to the needs of industry and delivering the solutions that help business.
The University works closely with businesses to co-create programmes, ranging from non-accredited courses to degree apprenticeships to post-graduate qualifications, which ensure students are learning the necessary skills to make an impact in the workplace.
Learning Curve Group, based in Spennymoor, County Durham, was founded in 2004 and is a national training, education and recruitment specialist working with around 4,500 employers each year to delivering training and qualifications to more than 100,000 learners every year.
Its services include recruitment, learning resource publishing, fully-funded training, apprenticeships and employability programmes.
This arrangement will provide a natural synergy with the Higher and Degree Apprenticeships portfolio offered by Teesside University, the Higher Apprenticeships recently being graded as ‘Outstanding’ following an Ofsted inspection.
Professor Jane Turner OBE DL, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement), said: “We are delighted to be working together with Learning Curve Group. It is an ambitious organisation with an exciting vision, clearly passionate and dedicated to the skills agenda, so our values and priorities are very much aligned.
“This partnership nicely complements the existing Teesside University College partnership with Darlington, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton Riverside Colleges, ensuring we are perfectly placed to plug the skills gaps and training needs across all levels of industry.”
Brenda McLeish, Chief Executive of Learning Curve Group, said: “This new strategic partnership with Teesside University is a template for how Higher Education and training providers can work in synergy to provide employers with a highly-comprehensive level of support.
“As business and industry evolves it is essential that all areas of training and education can collaborate and share opportunities to ensure companies can remain competitive in local, national and international markets by attracting and retaining skilled and talented people.”
For more information on the portfolio of courses visit the Teesside University website.
Information on training offered by Learning Curve Group is available via the Learning Curve website.
A new business and leisure community in the centre of Middlesbrough is running a competition to find its latest tenant.
Property developer Jomast is looking for a new food and beverage or leisure operator to add to Albert North’s existing offer.
The winning business will be offered a lease of a ground floor unit along Albert Road, of between 750 sq ft and 1,200 sq ft with a generous rent incentive and the opportunity to apply for a £2,000 grant from Middlesbrough Council to assist with fit-out.
The new business will join Mabo Media, Salesfire, Keystage Recruitment and Hays Recruitment on Albert North, as well as new edition vegan café Alkaline Kitchen, the development’s first food and beverage operator.
Budding yoga studios, coffee shops, beauty salons and eateries are encouraged to apply.
Mark Hill, Commercial Property Director at Jomast, said: “Our aim is to bring together passionate people and inspiring businesses into one exciting business community.
“This is a great opportunity for a business to establish itself as a brand in the ever growing community at Albert North.”
Michelle McPhee, City Centre Manager at Middlesbrough Council, added: “The historic quarter and Boho Zone are already home to a host of cutting-edge creative and digital businesses, with Middlesbrough firmly established as a regional centre of excellence.
“Albert North is the latest phase of an ambitious programme of regeneration that is creating a vibrant city centre offer, with first class retail and leisure sectors.
“This competition offers the right business a unique opportunity to play a part in the creation of a prosperous future for Middlesbrough and the wider city region.”
Albert North is a multi-million pound regeneration project, led by local property developers Jomast in partnership with Middlesbrough Council.
It forms part of a wider Council strategy to drive significant investment to Middlesbrough’s city centre and support local business growth.
The development is situated on a major thoroughfare through Middlesbrough’s centre, in close proximity to the rail station, Middlesbrough College and the main shopping area.
To enter the competition, applicants must submit their business plan to kerry.monk@jomast.co.uk by Friday, May 17.
For more information on Albert Road North, please visit their website.
Beauty entrepreneur Hollie Simpson is encouraging other young women to think about setting up their own businesses.
The 34-year-old from Ingleby Barwick started her business when she was just 24 – buying a Saks beauty salon franchise.
Now the former Middlesbrough College student is launching another company offering industry-leading advice on skincare.
And Hollie’s business – which employs five people – is booming so much that she’s recruited another rising star from Middlesbrough College, 20-year-old Rebecca Oxley.
Hollie said: “I always knew that I wanted to run my own business, and now I’ve been doing it for 10 years I encourage other young women to think about doing it for themselves.
“My journey started with studying Hair and Beauty at Middlesbrough College around 2001.
“There was a business module at the end of my course and I think that’s where I got the idea about working for myself.”
Since buying the Saks beauty salons franchise, Hollie has become one of a select handful of salon owners who work with Saks’ head office to develop training courses.
Hollie has built nationally-recognised knowledge of skincare through extensive research.
Now she’s launching a separate business offering industry-leading education to other skincare professionals.
She explained: “I realised the industry is very orientated towards treatment of skin, without much knowledge about the science behind skincare.
“There is a gap in the market and that’s where my training courses will help salons practice advance skin treatments correctly.”
Hollie thinks the business – which is launching in the UK – has international potential.
She’s received support from Middlesbrough-based Enterprise Revolution and Gem Finance, who helped her develop a business plan and organise her finances.
She added: “I’m really excited about the potential of this business.
“And as the Salon continues to go from strength to-strength we’re soon to have more staff.
“I’m looking forward to giving new talent opportunities as we’ll recruit an apprentice soon.
“My time at Middlesbrough College gave me the skills and confidence to get where I am today.”
Hollie also completed a Certificate in Education and Training at Middlesbrough College – a professional teaching qualification which has given her the foundation for her new business.
Zoe Lewis, principal and chief executive of Middlesbrough College, said: “We’re always thrilled to see Middlesbrough College alumni using the skills and knowledge they gained at college to build businesses.
“Even better that Hollie’s success means she has chosen to give opportunities to other Middlesbrough College students.
“We’re an ambitious college and that’s reflected in the achievements of our former students like Hollie.”
The future looks bright for height specialists Inspection & Maintenance Services Ltd (IMS), thanks to a bespoke, multi-discipline service that stops management wasting time and resources outsourcing work to multiple contractors.
Teessider, Anthony Kirwan, founded IMS after spotting a gap in the market for a company that provides rope access, NDT and inspection, drone and maintenance services as a complete package.
After a decade of working on and offshore as a rope access and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) technician and PfCO certified drone pilot, Anthony decided to combine his skills to offer an all-in-one solution to clients.
“Rope access, NDT and drone services are our three main disciplines and specialist skills in the industry, but it’s difficult to find them offered as a package,” says Anthony.
“I’d hear managers on site complain about their difficulties finding different contractors and talk about how efficient it would be to have one company take care of all their requirements.
“That’s what gave me the idea for IMS.”
Now, he’s investing in making IMS a trusted name in the region.
With assistance from Tees Valley Business Compass, IMS has recently invested in additional advanced equipment, branding and a newly developed website which is due to launch in the coming weeks.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Entrepreneurs like Anthony are vital to growth in the Tees Valley and his story shows that with the right idea and some hard work, our risk-takers can succeed.
“It also shows that thanks to the levels of support we have for people wanting to set up and grow their own company, we’re a great place to call home. Business Compass is central to this offer and is helping firms, big and small, go from strength to strength.”
IMS has also employed Anthony Harker as technical manager, himself a rope access and NDT technician with a wealth of experience in managing seven-figure contracts for global oil, gas and engineering companies.
Harker said: “When Anthony explained his vision for the company to me, I couldn’t wait to get involved.”
“There aren’t many companies in the UK offering a full-service package as the one IMS has put together, and there’s real potential to become a significant player in the industry.
“I’m excited to help the company grow.”
Initial drone surveys plus the necessary follow up remedial work form part of IMS’s bespoke package, known as an ‘external health check’, to client premises and infrastructures. By utilising rope access systems and temporary exclusion zones, the company can carry out work with minimum disruption to business operations. These essential services help with regulatory, CDM and planned preventative maintenance requirements.
The company has already secured a number of commercial and public sector contracts providing their bespoke package. Also, a partnership with Tees Valley Inspection has been agreed to provide NDT and inspection using rope access and drone services for the petrochemical, oil and gas and marine sectors.
IMS is also currently adding to its fleet of high-tech drones and is in the process of gaining company ISO accreditations and IRATA membership, which Anthony believes will take the company to another level.
“We want to make sure we’re able to support clients with their specific requirements at height,” says Anthony.
“This means being proactive in helping them solve their problems, whatever those problems might be.
“Investing in the most advanced equipment and highest possible accreditations will help us do that,” he added.
Leading property agency, My Homelettings is celebrating as it approaches a key milestone.
The business, which is based in Middlesbrough but manages properties across the Tees Valley has helped hundreds of landlords and tenants over the last decade.
The firm which has grown in strength and reputation as a specialist, local residential letting agency offers managed and non-managed services for landlords.
Founder of My Homelettings, local businessman Paul Ladyman, said: “When I set up the business a decade ago, I had a clear ethos to treat every property we work with as if it’s our own as I aimed to become one of the most trusted agencies in the area.”
“Since we launched in 2009, we have continued to develop through some tough times, we were hit with the economic downturn early on, and this did have its challenges as inevitably the property market suffers when there are times of uncertainty.
“When you work in the property industry, you do get used to the ups and downs of the market, but I was always confident that the business would be a success due to our conscientious attitude and extensive experience.
Paul has seen many changes in the property sector over the last decade and believes the local lettings market is still in a healthy position for new and experienced landlords to invest.
“We work hard to match the right tenant with the right property, and experienced property specialists support and maintain all of the properties in our portfolio,” added Paul.
“We understand that letting your property, especially for the first time, can be a worrying experience, we also never forget that it’s your most important asset which is why we pride ourselves on providing the best possible service.”
With over 150 legislative processes and responsibilities of letting a private dwelling to be considered My Homelettings work continuously in the background to ensure that clients and tenants are always safe and compliant within the law.
The imminent Tenant Fee Ban and Right to Rent legislation as well as changes to the housing health bill mean it has never been a more high-profile time to be in the industry.
The agency is now looking forward to the next ten years and already has its sights on expanding its managed property lettings portfolio by 20% over the next 12 months.
Pictured: Paul Ladyman, managing director and Ashleigh Parkes, lettings assistant.
Top entrepreneurs and local business leaders will gather to network and share ideas at a special event next week.
The latest Invest Middlesbrough Breakfast Exchange takes place in the newly refurbished Town Hall on Thursday, March 14.
The free networking event provides businesses with an opportunity to meet up on a less formal basis, chat and share, learn more about Middlesbrough’s ambitious regeneration plans and do business.
The Spring 2019 Breakfast Exchange gets under way at 7.30am, with this month’s spotlight on the Boho Next Generation report which maps out the next phase of Middlesbrough’s cutting edge digital sector.
The bold commercial development is being led by Middlesbrough Council in partnership with Middlesbrough’s Digital Cluster and the Tees Valley Combined Authority.
This exciting project will build on the already established Boho Zone, creating a state-of-the-art Digital Campus for Middlesbrough’s growing list of digital brands. The project works to provide both short- and long-term commercial office space to support the town’s rapidly expanding digital sector.
The scheme will also bring wider benefits to Middlesbrough, complementing its mix of residential, leisure and educational proposals for Middlehaven area and Middlesbrough’s historic and central quarters.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Economic Development and Infrastructure, said: “A thriving business community is the lifeblood of a vibrant and diverse city centre economy which will drive future success and growth across Middlesbrough and beyond.
“Our Breakfast Exchanges are a fantastic informal forum which enables our entrepreneurs to find out the latest news, share ideas and forge new partnerships.
“As ever, the latest event will be packed with information relevant to the local business community, so I hope as many businesses as possible will come along.”
The next Business Breakfast Exchange takes place at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Thursday, March 14 from 7.30am to 9.30am. Book your place online.
Teesside University is setting the quality benchmark for apprenticeships having been among the first higher education institutions in the country to have its provision subject to full inspection by Ofsted.
The education watchdog examined the University’s Higher Apprenticeship provision across five categories, rating every area as outstanding, from leadership and management, to learner outcomes.
Teesside is one of the first universities to receive a full Ofsted inspection for its level 5 apprenticeships under the revised inspection framework and was rated as outstanding across the board.
Inspectors praised the University’s “senior leaders’ strategic vision for apprenticeships” ‘a culture of high expectations’ and a curriculum that ‘meets the needs of employers and regional economic priorities.’
Teesside offers a varied range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships across its five Academic Schools.
They provide an ‘earn as you learn’ opportunity, combining vocational work-based learning with study towards a professional qualification and are co-designed with industry to maximise the benefits for both students and employers.
At the time of the inspection, Teesside University had just under 300 students enrolled on Higher Apprenticeships. Just over half of those were studying the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship, while others were on Laboratory Scientist or Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeships.
Ofsted categorised Teesside as outstanding in all five areas:
- Effectiveness of leadership and management
- Quality of teaching, learning and assessment
- Personal development, behaviour and welfare
- Outcomes for learners
- Apprenticeships.
Professor Paul Croney, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University, said: “We are delighted with this outcome and are pleased that, as one of the first higher education institutions to undergo a full Ofsted inspection of its apprenticeship provision, the University has received outstanding feedback in every area.
“Our vision is to position Teesside as an international university with a reputation for academic excellence. Higher and Degree Apprenticeships are designed and flourish because of our exceptional work with business and our commitment to providing the very best student and learning experience.”
The Ofsted report praised Teesside University’s resources and learning environments and referred to how apprentices grow in confidence throughout their course.
“Apprentices make excellent progress in improving their skills, knowledge and behaviours – they make improvements to the quality of their work so that it meets and often exceeds industrial requirements,” the report states.
“Leaders and managers have very successfully established a culture of high expectations for apprenticeship provision. They place a high priority on ensuring that high-quality apprenticeships provide life-changing opportunities.”
Professor Jane Turner OBE DL, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement), leads the University’s apprenticeship provision.
She said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive such fantastic feedback across all areas of our Higher Apprenticeship provision.
“The University is passionate about ensuring that what we deliver is relevant and of an extremely high quality. We are committed to helping businesses in the Tees Valley and beyond thrive and prosper and that can only happen with people learning the right skills to enable them to perform to the highest standard in their job roles. I would like to acknowledge the staff who have played such a fundamental role in this outstanding outcome.”
Natalie Harper was among the first students to graduate from the Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship.
She said: “I would definitely recommend Teesside University to anybody. Doing this qualification has been an incredible experience. The staff have been really supportive.
“Having the academic support has made a real difference and will really help with the way we work with patients.”
Middlesbrough-based haulage firm Halcyon Tankers Ltd has secured a £250,000 loan from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
Halcyon Tankers Ltd, which operates a fleet of bulk chemical road tankers from its Middlesbrough base, will use the loan to assist with the purchase of new vehicles and marketing expenditure.
The business was launched in January 2018, when directors Ian Elliott, Andrew Spence-Wolrich and Nigel Barraclough bought the assets of Halcyon Tankers, a division of Hargreaves plc.
Led by the team of industry experts, who all previously held top positions at Hargreaves plc, the company has gone from strength-to-strength.
It now employs 29 people, operates a fleet of 21 HGV tractor units and 27 tanker trailers, and has growth plans to increase to 39 vehicles within the next three years.
Nicky Atkinson, Deputy Fund Manager, at FW Capital, said: “We are delighted support Halcyon Tankers Ltd. The company has a strong management team, who have been involved with this type of business for a number of years. This funding will allow Halcyon to expand and deliver its first-class service to even more customers.”
Andrew Spence-Wolrich, Halcyon Tankers Ltd Commercial Director, said: “FW Capital was extremely helpful as a funding partner. The team were very involved and really understood our business.
“The funding has given us breathing space and allowed us to put our ambitious growth plan into action, which is to double the size of the business while maintaining a safe, compliant, quality and profitable service.
“Nicky and her team are knowledgeable and supportive and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
Mark Wilcockson at British Business Bank, said: “It is good to see that NPIF is able to support Halycon in its plans to almost double its amount of vehicles within the next three years. This investment in new units and marketing activity will aid Halycon to scale-up and achieve further growth within the industry.”
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: Halcyon’s Ian Elliott and FW Capital’s Nicky Atkinson with Andrew Spence-Wolrich and Nigel Barraclough, both from Halcyon.
A contractor has been appointed to take TeesAMP Advanced Manufacturing Park in Middlesbrough from blueprint to reality.
Robertson North East has been commissioned to construct phase one of the development and the first units will be ready for occupation in December.
To add to the great news local firm Nationwide Structures, based in Stockton, has been appointed as steel fabricator and around 90 per cent of the 750 tonnes of steel will come from British Steel at Redcar.
Geoff Hogg of Cleveland Property Investments, who is working with Middlesbrough Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to bring the £55million park to life, said: “It is fantastic that all the work that has been going on in the background since Business Secretary Greg Clark visited in September has paid off.
“We are in talks with a number of companies who are interested in moving to TeesAMP – bringing high-quality advanced manufacturing jobs with them – and that’s what it’s all about.”
Cllr Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Economic Development and Infrastructure, said: “I’m delighted to see this major new addition to the economy of the Tees Valley reach another important milestone.
“TeesAMP will bring long-lasting benefits in terms of jobs, skills, prosperity and further investment – and the appointment of a local steel contractor is just the latest boost to the local economy.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s great that construction will soon begin, meaning the site will be transformed into a home for world-class innovative companies, bringing high-quality jobs for local people.
“I’m delighted that some of our brilliant Tees Valley businesses are being drafted in to provide their services, demonstrating how our investment is already working for the good of the region.”
Phase one will include 180,000 sq ft of high quality manufacturing and office accommodation across 14 units.
Robertson, one of the largest independently owned construction companies in the UK, has its North East headquarters in Gateshead.
Elliot Robertson, chief operating officer of Robertson Group, said: “The Tees Valley has an ambitious modern industrial strategy, and we are delighted to be part of such a crucial step in what is a nationally significant project.
“The jobs and investment TeesAMP will provide will deliver long-term prosperity for the region for generations to come.”
Garry Hope, managing director of Robertson North East, said: “We always seek to use as local a supply base as possible on our projects, and are pleased to have been able to sign two subcontractors located so close to the site.
“Given the strong steel heritage of the Tees Valley, it was particularly important that we were able to commission a local steel fabricator. We will be continuing to seek Tees Valley businesses as suppliers for the project.”
Andy Dagnall, regional manager of Nationwide Structures said: “This contract is worth £1.3million to us.
“We aim to use as much local steel as possible – around 90 percent will come from British Steel in Redcar. I think that’s about as local as you can get.
“Sourcing local materials is a huge benefit to industry in the area and we’re delighted to have been appointed.”
Middlesbrough company Elemech has also been appointed to provide temporary electrics.
Pictured: (L-R) Cllr Lewis Young, Andy Dagnall of Nationwide Structures, Elliot Robertson of Robertson, Geoff Hogg of Cleveland Property Investments, Paul Fletcher of Elemech Ltd and Cllr Mick Thompson
