The next Invest Middlesbrough breakfast exchange will relocate to the newly refurbished Town Hall for its networking event on Thursday, June 7.
The Town Hall has been closed for more than two years while undergoing the biggest makeover in its 129-year history and with the multi-million pound restoration now complete it was felt to be the perfect place to host Middlesbrough Council’s Breakfast Exchange, which runs from 7.30am-9am.
The free networking event provides businesses with an opportunity to meet up on a less formal basis, chat, share, learn more about Middlesbrough’s ambitious regeneration plans and do business.
The Breakfast Exchange’s popular ‘Business in the Spotlight’ feature will this month look at TeesAMP, Middlesbrough’s £55m advanced manufacturing park which aims to bring 1,000 jobs to the town.
Local business people are invited to discover more about this transformational project and the impact it could have on the area.
• Places can be booked online via Eventbrite. Should you experience any problems booking your place please contact event organisers The Creative Alchemist on 01642 224706.
Middlesbrough has successfully renewed its Fairtrade status for two years in recognition of its ongoing commitment to promoting Fairtrade principles.
The town was first awarded Fairtrade status in 2007 for its strong support for Fairtrade within the borough and the achievement of five qualifying goals, such as a wide availability of Fairtrade products in local shops and catering outlets, high levels of support from local people, businesses, the council, faith groups and schools.
Councillor Julia Rostron, chair of the Middlesbrough Fairtrade Steering Group, said: “I’m delighted that Middlesbrough has once again been awarded Fairtrade Town status.
“It’s further recognition of the town’s ongoing commitment to promoting Fairtrade principles, and how those reflect the values of the people who live and work here.
“We will continue to support the hard work of all those who promote Fairtrade and the good work that the Fairtrade premium does for farmers and their families.”
Adam Gardner, Communities Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, said: “We’re very pleased that Middlesbrough have renewed their Fairtrade status and laid out clear exciting goals to take Fairtrade further.
“Thanks to the ongoing support of the public and campaigners, an increasing number of farmers in developing countries are now selling their products on Fairtrade terms, bringing them a stable income, and the chance to trade their way out of poverty.”
Fairtrade helps small-scale farmers ensure they earn stable incomes and have long-term contracts with companies. In addition, they earn the Fairtrade Premium, which they invest as the farmer-owned co-operative democratically chooses, in projects that will benefit their business or community.
The Fairtrade Mark independently certifies that products meet economic, social and environmental standards. As such, it is the most widely recognised ethical mark worldwide.
- For more information about the Fairtrade Mark and how to apply for Fairtrade status, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
To get involved in the Fairtrade campaign in Middlesbrough, go to http://www.menvcity.org.uk/fairtrade or email info@menvcity.org.uk
A consultancy that works with Central Government in Whitehall has opened an office in a business community in Middlesbrough, stating that it surpasses all their expectations for office space in the area!
Only weeks after completing renovation works, Commerce House is already filling quickly; with a raft of new tenants moving in determined to take advantage of the enviable TS1 postcode.
Latest to join the business community in the Grade II listed building, which has just undergone a £1.2m renovation programme, is Smart Pads Real Estate Consultancy Ltd.
Ummar Hanif is the Director of Smart Pads Real Estate Consultancy, offering consultancy and project management services to developers, public bodies, private companies, housing associations and individuals specialising in capital investment, asset management, portfolio management and construction.
Launched two years ago, the company originally focused on property management but due to Ummar’s experience as a senior manager in the public sector, a natural transition occurred with the mainstay of the company’s business now being in strategic project management and consultancy.
As the business has cemented itself, Ummar required a further office in his hometown, Middlesbrough, but with the same clout as his London postcode.
Ummar, who is dad to two-year-old Ayla, said:
“I travel a lot between London and The North and since becoming a dad, it has become important to also have an office space where I can focus on the business whilst in Middlesbrough. I had looked at a number of office spaces in the area and because of my experience of working with commercial properties, I knew exactly what I was looking for. It wasn’t until I visited Commerce House that I found where I wanted to be based.
“Not only is the location amazing, but the quality, attention to details, facilities and level of staff service is second to none. A number of clients have visited in my first week and they are all blown away too!”
Smart Pads joins some high profile organisations in the new business community including the Department of Industry and Trade, North East England Chamber of Commerce, Hainton, Vanquish Steel and others.
As well as office space, Commerce House offers meeting space, a luxurious board room and business lounge, hot desking and virtual office services.
More information on the business community and office space is available at www.commerce-house.co.uk. More on Ummar’s services is available at www.smart-pads.co.uk
Tees Valley businesses have been urged to back a bid to host Rugby League World Cup 2021 matches in the region and attend an event to highlight the benefits of the application.
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, will visit Tees Valley next week to deliver a presentation to business leaders on what hosting part of the competition could mean for the region.
Business bosses will have the chance to talk to representatives from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Middlesbrough Football Club, Middlesbrough Council and Darlington Mowden Park RFC, who are working in partnership on the bid.
The bid will include an application to host international group games and a quarter-final in the men’s competition as well as games from the women’s competition. Key venues within the bid include the Riverside Stadium, the Northern Echo Arena and Rockliffe Hall.
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, said: “We are excited to be visiting Tees Valley to show the huge impact that hosting has had on towns and cities across the world.
“The RLWC2013 set new records for economic impact and media reach that will be increased again at England 2021. An expanded event footprint will attract more live spectators, encourage domestic tourism and longer overseas visitor stays.
“We would encourage businesses to come to support the bid and ensure that they are prepared to fully take advantage of the opportunities a successful bid would bring.”
Back the Tees Valley Bid: Rugby League World Cup 2021 is taking place from 8.30am to 10am on Tuesday, 24 April 2018 at the Riverside Stadium.
Businesses interested in attending the event should email hello@enjoyteesvalley.com to register.
Teesside University’s pioneering approach to entrepreneurship has been showcased to senior leaders from across the higher education sector.
They were taking part in the Entrepreneurial Leaders programme delivered by the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE). The four-day module, on the theme of universities and their regions and using Teesside as a case study, was hosted by the University.
Participants spent time at the University’s Middlesbrough and Darlington campuses, where they learned about the different ways in which Teesside works with businesses and stakeholders to drive enterprise and promote economic growth in the region.
The NCEE works with senior university staff, providing a range of services to ensure UK higher education remains at the forefront of enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Its Entrepreneurial Leaders programme is designed to help leaders drive and respond to change in a fast-moving external environment.
During their visit to Teesside, representatives from 13 different universities heard from a range of senior figures, including Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Croney, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) Professor Jane Turner OBE, and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) Mark Simpson. There was also a presentation from Associate Deans Siobhan Fenton and Linda Nelson, who are responsible for the University’s enterprise and business engagement agenda in the School of Computing, Design & the Arts and the School of Health & Social Care.
There was also a visit to mima, the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, which is owned and managed by Teesside University, and a session with the University’s business support team in Launchpad, the University incubator, where delegates also met with start-up companies.
Other key speakers included Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, David Charles, Professor of Enterprise and Innovation at Northumbria University, and senior representatives from Teesside University’s partners in the public and private sectors, including the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Darlington Borough Council, North East England Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for Process Innovation.
Laura Woods, Director of The Forge, Teesside University’s business hub, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Entrepreneurial Leaders programme to the University.”
“We take our role as an anchor institution very seriously, and we put strong emphasis on helping to achieve real economic growth by promoting enterprise and developing quality graduate talent.
“This was a fantastic opportunity to talk to senior figures in the higher education sector about the role of universities in their regions, and to showcase the University’s work in addressing the opportunities and challenges we face in the Tees Valley.”
For more information on Teesside University’s work with business visit www.tees.ac.uk/business
Local businesses are being urged to sign up for the latest Jobs for Middlesbrough event in June.
Organisers want to hear from enterprises from across the Tees Valley and beyond who are on the look-out for fresh talent.
On offer is a great opportunity to exhibit for free in the spectacular surroundings of the newly restored and refurbished Middlesbrough Town Hall on Wednesday, June 6.
Jobs for Middlesbrough will be opened by Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd and is open to all employers and not aimed at any specific age group or sector.
The event is hosted by the Council in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, the National Careers Service, Middlesbrough College and Middlesbrough Community Learning.
Employers will welcome job seekers to stands in the Town Hall’s Crypt, Main Hall and old Fire Station, all fully upgraded as part of a recently completely £7.7 million Heritage Lottery Fund-backed project.
Mayor Dave Budd said: “Middlesbrough and the wider city region are home to some truly great businesses and employers, and we also have people with the skills, drive and ambition to take them on to the next level.
“Bringing them together is essential if we are to continue the investment and growth that is already transforming Middlesbrough.
“Jobs for Middlesbrough is yet another great opportunity for companies to showcase the work they do and the roles they’re looking to fill.”
- Jobs for Middlesbrough takes place at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Wednesday, June 6 from 10am to 4pm.
For further information and to sign up, email recruitmentevents@middlesbrough.gov.uk
An iconic Middlesbrough building, which has spent the last year undergoing an impressive £1.2million renovation to create a stunning business community, is now complete and open.
Commerce House in Middlesbrough has had life breathed back into its Grade II Listed structure by Commerce Chambers Limited.
A whole host of fully furnished and serviced office space is available for immediate use, ideal for small one or two-man businesses up to 14 desk rooms.
There is also an unbelievably chic business lounge, where old meets news creating a relaxing yet professional environment. Partner that with an impressive boardroom and reception, along with top class kitchen and bathroom facilities and why would you want to work anywhere else?
The building, which was originally built in 1872, is in the heart of the city’s soon to be thriving commercial district TS1 and is right next to the train station, a stone’s throw from the A66.
Every office comes complete with access to all the high-class facilities and high-speed broadband included. There are also a number of offers available on a first come, first served basis.
The luxury setting boasts a contemporary feel with traditional touches, all finished to the highest of standards. The 43 square meter boardroom, The Chairman’s Room, is already proving popular and is available for use by tenants or to hire out, complete with high spec technology and total luxury, ideal for presentations, brainstorming or entertaining.
There business community is starting to build nicely with a number of tenants now in place in their offices, and a number of virtual office customers already benefitting from having a TS1 postcode.
Christine Huntington, facilities manager at the building, which was purchased from the North East Chamber of Commerce, said:
“The transformation is unbelievable. There is real luxury on offer here, which creates the right impression for visiting clients. Our range of space which has just become available won’t be around for long so interested parties will have to reserve their space quickly!
“The hot desk facilities and virtual office service are both in demand already too. There are also plans underway to open a coffee shop soon meaning Commerce House really will be a one stop business shop!”
Information and appointments can be made by calling Christine on 01642 917116. Images are available to view on Facebook @CommerceHouse1872 or at www.commerce-house.co.uk
A unique new business, which has launched on Teesside, has shown confidence in its own future by selecting Commerce House as its office of choice.
Vanquish Steel Associates is the new innovative company launched by Andrew Oliver and Ayesha Crabtree. The couple has launched the business to help people of Teesside benefit in better jobs and be treated in a better way by employers.
In essence an executive search company, Vanquish Steel is different in that it focuses on long-term relationships, the improvement of candidates and also helps employers develop and design employee benefits and retention strategies.
Andrew, who has 20 years experience in HR in a range of industries including fitness, construction, gas and oil and mining, also holds a diploma in executive search and headhunting. He said:
“The name Vanquish Steel comes from our desire to help Teesside over come its recent demise and tips its hat at the history of the area. We can see the potential of both the people and the business here and want to support them to have long-term profitable working relationships.
“What we do is very much about reputation and being thought of highly, so as soon as we saw Commerce House we knew it was for us. As I currently do quite a bit of travelling and am out of the office, the virtual office offering and support is perfect for us too!”
From Middlesbrough, the couple who have four children, currently live in Redcar but wanted to base their new business in the heart of the city. Ayesha continued:
“We have based our business offering on the personal experiences we have both had, which at best have actually been impersonal. Executive and management roles are so important for any company to get right, so our service works in partnership with the recruiting business to get the right people at the right time.
“We are so excited to be onboard with Commerce House and are confident it will give our new business the boost it needs right from the start!”
Vanquish Steel Associates offers clients a warranty so they can try their services confidently, even the first time. More information is available at vanquishsteelassociates.co.uk.
Commerce House, a beautiful Grade II listed building in the heart of TS1, is now fully open following a renovation of £1.2m, with office space filling fast.
Facilities manager Christine, said:
“We are delighted to have Vanquish Steel Associates as part of our business community. They are the kind of professionals we love to be working with and supporting. Our office space and services are being snapped up now the refurbishment is complete, so it is exciting times all round!”
Business leaders from across the Tees Valley have expressed their desire to work together to promote and uphold ethical business practices.
Dozens of representatives from across the private, public and voluntary sectors attended Teesside University for the launch of the Tees Valley Ethical and Responsible Business Network.
The event, which was organised by the North East Initiative for Business Ethics (NIBE) in partnership with Teesside University Business School and Venator, heard about the different ways in which companies and organisations can implement ethical business practices and the benefits that they can bring.
A panel discussion with representatives from Venator, Northumbrian Water, Nouveau Group and Wilton Group shared examples of best practice.
Topics that came under discussion included:
- the importance of ethical supply chains and the need to properly audit them.
- making it easy for employees to report instances of bad practice without fear of reprisal.
- communicating your company values to employees and ensuring that they are acted on.
- the benefits of good Corporate Social Responsibility.
The event also heard from a group of final year students from Teesside University Business School about a project they had worked on with Middlesbrough Council to address social problems in the town.
Teesside University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) Professor Jane Turner OBE, opened the event.
She said: “As an institution which is dedicated to educating the next generation of business leaders, we take the principles of ethical business behaviour extremely seriously.
“Business ethics form a major part of our qualifications in Teesside University Business School, including our new MBA.
“In order to develop an inclusive, ethical and sustainable economy in the Tees Valley, we have to work together and we’re committed to collaborating with businesses to achieve this.”
NIBE was established in 2013 as an independent regional resource to focus on business ethics and bring people together to learn from each other, share good practice and make a difference in the community.
Chair of First Face to Face Ltd, Caroline Theobald CBE, who chaired the event, said: “It’s fantastic that so many businesses and individuals support this initiative and that we’ve already got organisations offering events and time to take this agenda forward.
“If we all take responsibility for taking small steps to improve the way we do business and listen and learn from others it’ll add up to a big difference and make the North East famous as a place to do good business.”
For more information on NIBE visit www.nibe.org.uk
Companies from across the Tees Valley have been celebrating the success of a project which has helped businesses innovate and meet new challenges.
Innovate Tees Valley has been running for two years and in that time more than 200 businesses have been given assistance to improve services, products and processes and find new markets.
To mark the occasion a celebratory event was held at Wynyard Hall where businesses heard about some of the successes of Innovate Tees Valley and further opportunities offered by the project.
Innovate Tees Valley is a £6.3 million project formed from a partnership of Teesside University, DigitalCity, the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) and the Materials Processing Institute (MPI) with funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
By the time the project is complete in January 2019 it will have helped more than 270 businesses across the Tees Valley to meet innovation challenges.
Chair of the Innovate Tees Valley steering board and Managing Director of Modus Seabed Intervention, Jake Tompkins, said: “This is a truly impressive initiative.
“The breadth of expertise demonstrated by the partners allows us to engage with a broad and diverse range of businesses.
“It has changed the innovation landscape and created a lasting legacy.”
Businesses at the celebratory event heard from different companies about the way in which Innovate Tees Valley had worked with them.
Micropore Technologies, a specialist particles and emulsion manufacturer at Wilton, Redcar, used Innovate Tees Valley to recruit and part-fund a graduate as well as accessing specialist consultancy on how to scale the business.
Chief Executive Dai Hayward said: “Our company has gone from what was a laboratory curiosity to designing and developing a six-inch unit capable of developing up to 1,400 tonnes of product a year.
“Innovate Tees Valley has helped us achieve this in a whole variety of ways and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
Suhail Aslam, Innovate Tees Valley project manager, said: “It was fantastic to hear about the impact that Innovate Tees Valley is having on businesses across the region.
“We are able to provide unrivalled support and advice through a suite of easy-to-access services for companies who are looking to do new things.
“The project has almost a year left to run and we are keen to work with more SMEs across the Tees Valley during this time.”
For more information on Innovate Tees Valley, or its sister project Innovate Durham, call 01642-384068 or email innovate@tees.ac.uk.
