Interviews with business people in the North East

Newcastle University
Business School

Paul Champion, North East Apprenticeship Company, Managing Director Feb 28 2011

As an apprentice Paul Champion's dream was to have a job where he carried a briefcase. Now he has a job encouraging youngsters to also aim for the top, as Christopher Knox discovers.Read

Fergus Trim, Development director at Quorum Feb 21 2011

IN the last three years, Fergus Trim has been instrumental in bringing over 2,000 jobs to the North East, after moving to the region from London to help fill one of the region's biggest business parks.Read

Sara Davies, founder, Crafter's Companion Feb 14 2011

SHOPPING channel audiences all over the world have fallen in love with products made by Crafter’s Companion, a growing business based in a little village in County Durham. John Hill meets founder Sara Davies, and finds out why is she is being lauded as one of the region's best young entrepreneurs.Read

Tim Cantle-Jones, managing director, Energy Saving Lighting Feb 07 2011

HE has a 'thank you' letter of from Nelson Mandela, invented the fanfest, has spent a life in sport, and still plays 11-a-side football at 50, but Tim Cantle-Jones says he is now an entrepreneur.Read

Jim Mawdsley, Chief Executive, Generator Jan 31 2011

GENERATOR has been at the forefront of music development in the region since it was launched in 1991 and has supported artists including North East favourites Maximo Park, and helped to create music businesses. Christopher Knox met up with its chief executive Jim Mawdsley.Read

Lucy Armstrong, Chair of the CBI SME Council Jan 24 2011

THE new voice of small businesses in the UK is a North East-based business growth expert who fine-tuned her communications skills as a prison watchdog.Read

Hans Porksen, Northumberland Farmer Jan 17 2011

A POSITIVE mental attitude, standing up for yourself and not buying anything you can't afford are among the philosophies that have served lecturer turned farmer Hans Pörksen well.Read

Roger McKechnie, founder of Phileas Fogg Jan 10 2011

ENTREPRENEUR Roger McKechnie founded iconic North East snack company Phileas Fogg, developed a holiday retreat which attracted Hollywood stars and is now back in Consett with big plans for his latest venture. Peter McCusker finds out why.Read

Kevin Rowan, TUC regional secretary, northern Dec 20 2010

THE job of the region’s highest profile union leader has got even harder as millions of workers struggle against cutbacks. But Christopher Knox finds TUC regional secretary Kevin Rowan more than equal to the challenge.Read

David Devennie, General Manager, The Northern Counties Club Dec 13 2010

HE calls himself the 'chief cook and bottle washer' - something he enjoys more than his brief stint as David Beckham's bag carrier - and sees himself as the custodian of a tradition that stretches back 181 years. Karen Dent meets David Devennie, the man charged with bringing the Northern Counties Club into the 21st Century.Read

Andy Redfern, co-founder, Ethical Superstore Dec 06 2010

ETHICAL Superstore's co-founder Andy Redfern has a mantra that it's easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. John Hill finds out how this willingness to take a leap has shaped his career.Read

Barry Blamire, Managing director, John Lewis Newcastle Nov 29 2010

As retailers get ready for the busiest time of year, Christopher Knox, takes a seasonal trip to meet Barry Blamire, the managing director of one of the North East's biggest department stores.Read

Graham Robb, Partner, Recognition Marketing and Public Relations Nov 22 2010

ASPIRING politician, radio personality and public relations firm boss Graham Robb has battled Peter Mandelson for a parliamentary seat and dined with David Cameron. Peter McCusker finds how he has balanced work and politics.Read

Richard Noble, General Manager, Aspers Casino Nov 15 2010

FROM calling bingo at a seaside arcade to running the North East's busiest casino, Richard Noble certainly knows a few things about the gaming industry. Christopher Knox caught up with him.Read

David Jeffries, founder of Mere Mortals Nov 08 2010

MERE Mortals founder David Jeffries left Newcastle for New Zealand three years ago, but a few months ago he returned to return the business to its moving image roots.Read

Mark Greenwood, Finance Director, Grainger Plc Nov 01 2010

THE decision to move from Dubai to take up one of the top posts at Newcastle-based plc Grainger didn't require a lot of thought for Mark Greenwood.Read

Graham Ramsay, founder, Ten Feet Tall Oct 26 2010

GRAHAM Ramsay hopes he has made Teesside a better place to live - and many people would agree with him.Read

Keith Armstrong, Founder, Kitchenware Records Oct 25 2010

NEWCASTLE'S Kitchenware Records has become one of the North East's most famous creative fountainheads, signing a host of chart toppers including Lighthouse Family and Editors. Christopher Knox caught up with its founder Keith Armstrong.Read

Mark Berriman, Managing Director, Pet Supermarket Oct 18 2010

HE is just 30 years old but Mark Berriman has already set up a string of successful businesses and won a brace of awards. Christopher Knox met up with him to discuss his future plans and how his dog Charlie proved the key to his greatest success.Read

John Josephs, Non-executive chairman, Washington Display Ltd Oct 11 2010

THE fact he would become an accountant was "drilled into" John Josephs' subconscious from an early age by his parents - and it's a choice he's never regretted.Read

Quick Links

Your nebusiness

Get involved...

We want your local stories, videos and pics.

Email Alerts

North East business news direct to your inbox

Business Events Diary

Add your business event

This is a free business events diary service. Add all your up-coming business seminars, meetings, talks and events to our interactive calendar. Read