HomeSector ReportsNorth East VisionSpring 2007

Chris Dobson

Can you resist the lure

Travelling at speeds of up to 80mph with his face inches from the ground - that's what the adrenaline-pumping hobby of Chris Dobson involves. Read

Drive to develop green engine for racing car

A County Durham company is leading the world in its drive to develop the first biodiesel engine to power a top racing car. Read

A small medium business

Exploring the supernatural is all in a day's work for Nicola Ditchburn and Steven Kenny. They tell Sarah Dale about their spooky business, Ghost Investigations. Read

Only operator in Europe to design and build its own locomotives

Corus has unveiled a new range of British-designed and manufactured locomotives - the first of their type for more than 15 years. The steel giant has already commissioned the building of four new locomotives for its Port Talbot site. Read

The back seat man with the Midas touch

Philip Lewis has established a family dynasty by installing his son as the managing director of a business which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. James Barton talks to the man who turned a borrowed £100 into a £12m retail empire employing 250 people. Read

New responsibilities for employers in the region

April sees an increase in the range of rights available to workers with caring responsibilities for both children and adults. Paul Johnstone, employment partner at commercial law firm Robert Muckle LLP, explains the implications. Read

More opportunities for North offshore industry

Swan Hunter's closure is more bad news for North-East shipbuilding, but marine engineering can still thrive, argues Dr Tony Trapp. Read

Reed makes great impression

A huge fire could have spelt the end for one North-East company, but it provided the opportunity to rethink the whole business - and another firm isn't content to stay local but is heading for the stars, writes Alastair Gilmour. Read

Capturing the sun and stars

One high-profile outcome from a North-East engineering company's investment will be unveiled later this spring. Read

Train to Gain is a hit with employers everywhere in the region

Chris Roberts, regional director, Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North-East, discusses how the Train to Gain service is taking the region's employers by storm. Read

Grants help to create jobs and attract business

Grant support from One NorthEast during the last 12 months will help create 3,765 new jobs and safeguard a further 2,029. Read

Small firm that is big on the global stage

It might only be a small firm, but Hartlepool-based specialist chemical firm Exwold is proof that you don't have to be big to be global. Anastasia Weiner finds out why. Read

Companies discover a 'NETA' way

Until recently, The NETA Training Group, one of the country's leading providers of vocational skills training, couldn't find an effective way of examining the potential market arising from the newest EU member states. Read

Do we need this lifeline?

Is the region too dependent on grants or are they a vital lifeline to help its economic regeneration? Nigel Stirling reports. Read

There's quite an art to success

An arts centre is undergoing an £800,000 makeover. Keith Newton went along to find out what it's all about. Read

EEF stresses the importance of wellbeing in workplace

When there's no such thing as a pressure-free job, and with stress being a difficult condition to diagnose, many employers frequently ask: `How can stress in the workplace be managed?' Read

Flexible technology is bringing science fiction to life in region

Electronics you can roll up and put in your pocket. Science fiction is becoming reality at a new research park, writes Iain Laing. Read

A good healthy breakfast helps us to learn - it's a no-brainer

Children are learning that a healthy breakfast can help improve their performance in school. A primary care trust team is visiting schools to introduce children to different ways to start the day. Joanna Desira found out more. Read

We've hit the funny bone here

Clown doctors are bringing a smile to children's faces at North-East hospitals. Audrey Forbes reports. Read

Why investment is the key to our success

Cels ceo Mike Asher looks at the challenges that lie ahead for the healthcare and life sciences sector and suggests that securing private investment remains a key challenge. Read