Business comment, opinions on the business news

Celebrating all that is great about our region Nov 09 2011

IT WAS a tremendous honour for me to host a night of champions as the annual Tyne and Northumberland Dinner was held at Newcastle Civic Centre.Read

Investors left feeling disorientated eurozone events Nov 09 2011

THE euro area debt crisis is delivering more surprise results than the Premier League. Even veteran pundits were lost for words last week when Greece responded to its partners’ offer to forgive half its debt burden by saying, effectively, that it would have to think about it.Read

Firms plan to see fall in production Nov 08 2011

AS discussions of the Eurozone crisis dominate economic discussions, it is clear that closer to home the economic uncertainty is impacting manufacturers.Read

Investing in new generation is critical Nov 07 2011

THE number of young people not in employment, education or training, ‘NEETs’, is an indicator of how well the economic and social policies and practices are working.Read

Only smart thinking will keep you ahead Nov 07 2011

TECHNOLOGY is one of the fastest-moving markets in the world. Innovation is the key in this progressive industry and staying ahead of the competition, as well as identifying new opportunities, is vital to maintaining a leading position.Read

Training still of benefit to all North East business Nov 04 2011

IT’S been a good week for the winners of the North East’s bids in the Regional Growth Fund (RGF). Companies like Narec, Tioxide, Cummins, TRW and Calsonic Kansei and others regionwide have much more than manufacturing and green technology in common.Read

North East firms meeting Sell to the World challenge Nov 03 2011

DOZENS of firms across the North East have risen to the Sell to the World challenge by signing up for a series of special events to help them boost their export skills.Read

Embrace the challenges to help your business succeed Nov 03 2011

YOU, like many business leaders, are probably finding your job is getting harder – leading your firm is increasingly challenging, demanding and complex.Read

Eurozone will muddle through crisis Oct 31 2011

THE news from the latest EU summit, apparently the 14th special summit in 21 months, supports our long- standing assumption that the euro area and wider capital markets can muddle through their latest crisis of confidence.Read

Distraction tactics Oct 31 2011

THE Government is clearly under pressure. With unemployment at a generational high and showing little signs of changing any time soon, more and more economists and commentators are urging the Government to recognise the current plan isn’t working and to change its strategy.Read

Outlook bleak for small firms Oct 28 2011

TO say that the business community, and particularly the SME sector, is in somewhat of a turmoil as to what lies ahead in trading terms, is perhaps a statement of the blindingly obvious.Read

Offshore giant ready for nuke orders Oct 26 2011

MCNULTY Offshore Construction is a leading manufacturer in the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors, and it is poised to clinch orders when the UK nuclear industry starts replacing old stock.Read

How our airports can play a part Oct 26 2011

FLYING visits don’t come any more literal than the one I paid London this week when I addressed MPs on the need to maximise the potential of our airports to help rebalance the economy.Read

Unlocking the potential for growth Oct 25 2011

ALMOST 20% of North East employment is provided by medium-sized businesses. These firms make a vital contribution to our economic wellbeing, creating jobs and prosperity in all regions of the UK.Read

Added value gives BBC distinction Oct 24 2011

SATURDAY witnessed the largest rally of people with disabilities that anyone can remember happening in Newcastle as part of a national series of 'hardest hit' events throughout the UK.Read

Changing the ethics of business Oct 21 2011

POLITICS has been dominated in the last week or two by issues centring on personal judgement and ethics.Read

Too early to tell how results from both sides of Atlantic will hit investments Oct 19 2011

IT'S unlikely anyone needs reminding about equity market volatility - many investors remain on edge due to ongoing macro-economic and political concerns on both sides of the Atlantic.Read

Difficult to read signs of recovery Oct 19 2011

A ROLLERCOASTER week is one that starts with news that entrepreneurialism is a major driver of the regional economy, followed 24 hours later by reports that unemployment has reached a 17-year high and ends with the announcement that the UK is clawing its way back into export markets.Read

Redcar a beacon of hope Oct 19 2011

IN six weeks' time, history will be made in Redcar when the town’s famous blast furnace is re-ignited by the steel plant's new owners - giant Thai firm SSI.Read