Updated 10:42am 11 February 2012:

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Bill Midgley

Bill Midgley

Can we see signs of a credit squeeze?

WHILE there are considerably more than ‘green shoots’ indicating economic recovery, albeit a little more slowly than some would desire, there remains some real concern surrounding at least two areas that may yet have a greater and longer impact on our competitiveness as a nation.Read

The arts must share the pain

I REALISE that being critical in any shape or form of the arts can be seen as sacrilgious, but nevertheless, and speaking as someone with an involvement in that area, this sector of our community has to realise that cuts in government spending have to impact on them as much as elsewhere.Read

It’s time for the talking to stop

SOME of the less reputable vehicle clamping companies have been gaining some publicity recently given their keenness to clamp our cars at any opportunity.Read

Sector will rely on cash from public

MR OSBORNE’S words have now been given a considerable airing, and the opinions written about them leave us in no doubt as to the hard times ahead.Read

Alarming attitude to construction

ACCORDING to reports, the number of new houses built this year will be at the lowest level since 1946.Read

NHS has no need at all to advertise

MOST businesses would support the view that advertising is a necessary part of promoting a company, its image and products, and in attempting to differentiate itself from competitors.Read

Promise not worth paper it's written on

WE should not be surprised at the flow of “bright” initiatives from our political parties at present, initiatives which could well have been put forward much earlier if politicians could think beyond the short cycle of an election campaign.Read

Dangers of ignoring the majority

A FEW year’s ago I was asked by the chief executive of an organisation of which I was chairman to agree to Christmas Day being a working day for non-Christians.Read

Time for making your mind up

WATCHING TV one morning last week I was intrigued by the interview of a so-called ‘sleep expert’.Read

Are gifts for the good of industry

THE alleged practices of British Aerospace have resulted in that company incurring a substantial 'fine', but before the business community in general commences on a path of criticism there are a few lessons that may be learned from the case and, perhaps, some questions to be asked of those of us in the business community.Read

Executive has a duty to deliver

THE sacking or ‘invitation to resign’ of the so called drugs csar raises a number of issues which are relevant to the business community.Read

Start-ups stifled by bureaucracy

WITH an economy crying out for new business start-ups, one would assume the path is clear for any enterprising individuals who wish to develop their skills and ambitions.Read

This is no time to invest in history

AS a holder of a Master of the Arts degree in British history I suppose that I should be delighted that Seaton Delaval Hall has been 'saved for the nation' and that we will all be able to enjoy and admire what is undoubtedly a magnificent building.Read

It’s surely time for action not rhetoric

THE end of summer sees the start of the political conference season, four weeks of debate and discussion that will undoubtedly have a bearing on such policies that are put in front of us as a precursor to next year’s election.Read

Independence is a must

GOVERNORS of the Bank of England and the North East have a somewhat estranged relationship, particularly given the comments made a decade or so ago when it was claimed that loss of jobs in this region were ‘a price worth paying’ to ensure the success of the national economy.Read

Don't keep telling us what to do

A RECENT addition to the many signs that seem to adorn public offices or in those organisations that are no more than privatised monopolies is the ‘instruction’ not to use mobile phones while being attended to by staff.Read

Time firms researched their bankers

AT a meeting of some of the region’s senior bankers recently I was encouraged by their statement that they are open for business with cheque books at the ready!Read

One section of our society still has money to spend

TO see a North East restaurant absolutely packed out with people on a Monday night in April could well give rise to the question, where is the recession?Read

Public sector pay may lure best staff

ONE of the difficulties that the private sector will face in the next few years will be the ability to attract and retain the best skills to fill employment vacancies.Read

Vulnerable bodies in recession

AMONG the continuing and inevitably increasing number of organisations suffering from the recession are two types of bodies that deserve special consideration.Read

Author Profile

Bill Midgley is a Cumbrian-born businessman, who spent most of the first 30 years of his life in Yorkshire, has long been a high-profile figure in the North East business community. His career in financial services began as a 16-year-old with the Midland Bank in Huddersfield and eventually led to him spending two decades with the Newcastle Building Society where he was chief executive and latterly executive vice chairman, before retiring in 1998. He has continued to expand his business and charity interests both regionally and nationally and is a high-profile media commentator.

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