THE hugely respected former chief executive of software giant Sage who helped build the Newcastle company into a FTSE 100 star has stepped in to help a small North East start-up as it looks to make a name for itself in the digital sector.

Paul Walker, whose 16 years at Sage helped to turn it into a globally-respected company, is working with Newcastle-based Shout Digital to help it become one of the region’s major creative agencies.

Walker, who left Sage last year, has been brought in to advise an already impressive team at Shout, with its board including former technical director at Newcastle-based digital agency TH_NK, Gary Boon, who is credited with building the software behind the internationally-used chip and pin system.

The board also includes Ian Baggett, founder and managing director of Newcastle-based property company Adderstone Group, and Jason Mackay, ex-head of investment manager GLG’s UK hedge fund.

The firm believes Walker’s involvement will help the company to grow its £500,000 turnover to around £2m in three years time, as well as double its production team to 20 staff by the end of this year.

Paul Walker, who has also invested in the business, said: “What attracted me to Shout Digital was the impressive credentials of the entire team.

“Sharing their vision and passion to grow and deliver wider plans for product development, mobile commerce, and exploring the opportunities in mobile space further was something that I wanted to be a part of.

“My passion lies in helping to build successful businesses and investing in people rather than just their ideas.

“Shout Digital has enormous potential and I am passionate in helping the company grow and achieve its ambitions in the future development of digital space.”