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Professor Chris Brink, Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University

Enjoying a taste of life in the North

NEWCASTLE University’s new Vice-Chancellor has swapped the warm sunshine and stormy politics of South Africa for what many would think a relatively relaxing North-East. But Urmee Khan discovers the challenges he faces. Read

Phil Renton

School drop-out qualified for the royal warrant

From school drop-out to managing director, Phil Renton has proved there’s more to a successful corporate career than educational qualifications. Andrew Mernin meets the man at the helm of the region’s royally appointed technology empire. Read

Dave Laws

How Dave’s career went sky high

Newcastle International Airport has rarely been out of the news this year. Shortly after learning we are getting a daily flight to Dubai we then learn the airport’s chief executive has been suspended and later resigns. Peter McCusker meets the new chief executive Dave Laws. Read

Michelle Mone

Michelle’s cup runs over with bold plans

ONE of the country’s top entrepreneurs is in the region today to launch her new lingerie concession. Urmee Kham caught up with Ultimo founder Michelle Mone. Read

Peter Walker

We’re building something very fine

The head of architects Dewjoc in Newcastle has seen a lot of change in the city since first arriving 32 years ago. Graeme King talked to Peter Walker. Read

Eddie Hutchinson

When the furnace flames went out

THEY haven’t got a cat in hell’s chance." That is how the Derwentside job creation team were viewed shortly after Consett steelworks closed in 1980, recalls Eddie Hutchinson. Read

James Allen

The ape that likes to stand naked...

IN just five years, James Allen has nurtured his advertising company from a baby into a multi-million pound beast. Andrew Mernin meets the man behind the region’s fastest-growing Guerilla to talk nakedness, Norway, and the NHS. Read

Neil Stephenson

Internet boss has his sights set high

As experts talk up a second dotcom boom, Andrew Mernin talks to the leader of one the region’s fastest-growing internet businesses. Read

Anthony Marcantonio

Family knows the secret to success

Being an established family business with an established brand doesn’t guarantee success. Alastair Gilmour discovers that at Mark Toney’s there’s a mystery ingredient as well. Read

Anthony Cole

United training tips are winner in business life

BRIGHT starts, high hopes and bone-shattering disappointment have strengthened one young businessman’s attitude. Alastair Gilmour reports. Read

Andrew Mair

Golf supremo has come a fair way

NOT many aspiring sportsmen would turn down the chance to play for one of his country’s top clubs. But golf course designer Andrew Mair’s career was set when he was just a boy. Read

Kristina Grimes

I’m aiming higher and higher

KRISTINA Grimes was runner-up in TV’s The Apprentice. She visited Teesside recently to be guest speaker at the Middlesbrough Business Forum. KAREN McLAUCHLAN found out what her top tips are for business success. Read

Mario De Giorgi

Inner steel of an Italian made good

It’s hard work being an entrepreneur, especially when you juggle three jobs at once. Alastair Gilmour reports on Italian enterprise. Read

Robin Bloom

Life is sweet after Christmas in jail

REPRESENTING the ne’erdowells of the North-East, sponsoring roundabouts on Teesside and not opening a New York office, senior partner at Dickinson Dees law firm Robin Bloom talks to Graeme King. Read

Sarah Mains

The rise and rise of Mains power

A happy, if painful, accident put Sarah Mains on the road to being one of the North-East’s most successful real estate entrepreneurs. Andrew Mernin hears of her emotional journey. Read

Gareth Marks

Travel is the spice of life for this chef

GARETH Marks has led what some may call a bit of a nomadic existence. Beginning life in Ascot, Berkshire, many of Gareth’s formative years were spent in Knutsford, Cheshire before he finally settled in the North-East. Read

Jennifer Goldstein

Why the family business is so vital

JENNIFER Goldstein blazed a trail as a lawyer on Tyneside 20 years ago. She is at the top of her game but still puts family first, discovers Sam Wood. Read

Colin Seccombe, chief executive of Newcastle Building Society

A full agenda for our mutual friend

KEEPING up with business trends is as much as some companies can do, but Alastair Gilmour talks to one chief executive whose financial institution is setting an increasingly hot pace. Read

Mike Dukes, the managing director of the Alnwick Garden

Manager's career is blossoming

SOME businessmen find success by constantly flying by the seat of their pants. Some, however, prefer to take a slower and more deliberate route; testing the ground, planting the seeds of their ambition and carefully nurturing their career. Read

Rob Langley

Making the most of life’s opportunities

FROM Wallsend council house to legal counsel, Rob Langley, senior partner at Watson Burton, is proud of his roots in the region. James Barton meets the unassuming man who holds the top job at his firm. Read