Updated 7:30pm 8 February 2012:

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Nicholas Craig

Nicholas Craig

Farewell, I’ll miss you

THIS is the big one. After eight years of weekly columns in The Journal, hail or shine, this is my final regular appearance. I’ll miss the chance to air grievances or praise regional successes.Read

Getting fit is my surprise birthday gift

I WAS presented with a series of personal trainer sessions as a birthday present by someone who knows me all too well.Read

Keep creative people for sake of all

THE region’s student graduate shows fizz with originality, skill and ideas. The National Glass Centre at Sunderland was the venue this week for a stunning collection of exciting, unique works from Sunderland University’s BA hons glass and ceramics degree show.Read

Small effort can give big return in jobs

THINK global, act local: the century-old phrase is rolled out incessantly by ambitious companies – and banks – with an eye on the value of local suppliers and customers.Read

There’s more out there than emails

AS I thought. As evidenced by the “political smears” emailed by Damien McBride, then reported and repeated in all media, emails may be quick and easy, but they are also inherently dangerous.Read

Network has spotlight on design skills

INNOVATION is key to business survival, particularly in the service economy. The importance of design in such an aggressive market means that it has a major role within many regional and national companies’ strategies in their bid to succeed despite difficult times. Read

Challenge is how to be a local council

WE ARE now in the brave new world of single, all-purpose super-councils – unitary authorities in Northumberland and Durham which have shrunk 13 councils to two, and 744 councillors to 193.Read

Pensioners deserve a lot better

RETIRMENT has been cancelled. Pensions have been slashed with little hope of recovery within the next few years.Read

A five-star resource in the region

HOW many hotels can Newcastle and Gateshead hold before we have enough rooms to satisfy demand?Read

Time to put the North on track

TRANSPORT problems are becoming terminal. Heathrow is determined to be the biggest airport, but it is far from the best. The proposed new runway will do little to make it a more comfortable or efficient experience for passengers.Read

Regional TV cutbacks hit at lifeblood of the region

THE cutback in regional ITV news and programming will hit us hard. We will gain more than twice the news area when Tyne Tees merges with Border, but will lose more than half the staff.Read

What we all need more than ever

WHEN jobs are hard to come by, skills are a boon. For those seeking jobs for the first time, vocational qualifications could help make the difference between beginning a long-term career or a temporary stop-gap. Read

Crossing cultures and continents

I HAD an extraordinary 24 hours recently involving the full pomp of old English tradition, swiftly followed by a Chinese event of equal splendour.Read

You don’t need a gym to shed calories

MIDDLESBROUGH is one of nine pilot areas to begin a reward scheme aimed at improving health and slimming down our increasingly overweight nation.Read

Successful ‘perks’ are often free

THE £2bn set aside by one bank for “staff costs” including bonuses while being bailed out with £20bn of taxpayers’ money beggars belief. Read

Great North Run a top promotion for region

THE best possible cure for jetlag, I can confirm, is the Great North Run. Not that I entered. The atmosphere created by 52,000 runners, relatives, friends, celebrities and an ex-Prime Minister is extraordinarily infectious. It is impossible not to be affected, even from some distance.Read

New season is chance for switch in emphasis

IN two weeks’ time the clocks go back, presaging winter, dark days and a whirl of seasonal celebrations.Read

Let’s bank on a bit of sun and fun

GRIM. It must be one of the most over-used words this year. It is trotted out repeatedly to describe the weather, financial outlook, prospects of certain prominent politicians and embattled airline operators.Read

Will Beijing be getting the blues?

I’M off to Beijing for a business trip this week. It will be fascinating to see the after effects of the Olympics on this frenetic city’s business community.Read

Cyclists are true sport champions

FOOTBALL, which eats up millions of pounds, is this week sharing the spotlight in the North East with cycling, financially starved for decades.Read

Author Profile

Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm. Previously one of the leading commercial and corporate law partners with Eversheds Newcastle, Nicholas has particular inward and outward investment expertise. He also has unusually broad experience of acting for clients with interests in the Far East and Asia, and decided to join Watson Burton LLP to broaden the development of his interest in inward and outward investment.

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