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Raj Singh: Fact file

Personal philosophy: Don’t make the same mistake twice. Read

February 28: HM Revenue and Customs seminar on becoming self-employed, Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough, 9.45am-1.15pm. Details on 01642 795036.

MIDDLESBROUGH Business Forum Breakfast Exchange, Al-forno Restaurant, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough, 7.30-8.45am. Details at www.middlesbroughbusinessforum.co.uk or 01642 322544. Read

Pitstops on road to success

MIDDLESBROUGH entrepreneur Yvette Sheekey has unveiled plans to franchise her new vehicle maintenance firm, Penelope’s Pitstops, across the UK. Read

I’m building on a firm foundation

IN the second of our series profiling business leaders who champion industry on Teesside, JEZ DAVISON talks to property tycoon Raj Singh who is powering development in the care home sector with his Stockton-based business, Prestige Group Read

Loophole may lead todismissalclaims

A LOOPHOLE in the UK Age Discrimination Regulations could leave Teesside businesses facing backdated unfair dismissal claims from older workers. Read

Facts on the new Diploma

THE Diploma is a new qualification for young people aged 14-19. Read

Qualification could be the answer

JANE ATKINSON is vice president of utilities operations with industrial utilities and services business Sembcorp, based at Wilton. She is also a member of the Diploma Employer Champions Network: Read

One way of getting ahead

PRIVATE sector training company BL Hairdressing Training (BLHT) has teamed up with Tees employers and education providers to become among the first in the country to offer a new Hair & Beauty Diploma. Read

Rok leads way in engagement

STOCKTON-BASED builder Rok has for several years teamed up with education providers in Middlesbrough to prepare young people for a career in construction. It’s an example of the kind of “employer engagement” - a phrase widely used by educationalists, but widely misunderstood by businesses - that the new diplomas depend upon. Read

Raj Singh: Inside story

Personal philosophy: Don’t make the same mistake twice. Read

WE’RELOOKING AT THE FUTURE

WITH JUST six months to go before the first Teesside teenagers embark on new diploma courses, pressure is building for businesses to become involved in the biggest reform of the education system for 20 years. Read

Information for wannabe accounts clerks

A IS FOR ACCOUNTS CLERK Read

P+HS Architects, a national design practice with offices in North Yorkshire and Leeds, has appointed James Palmer and Adrian Taylor, top and bottom right, respectively, to its board of directors. James joined the practice in 2006 having previously worked in London and Leeds on residential and mixed-use schemes. Meanwhile, Adrian has been with the firm since 1999 and was responsible for the Malpas Road Surgery project in Northallerton.

HOUSING Hartlepool’s chief executive, Catherine Purdy, left, has been elected to chair the regional committee of the National Housing Federation. This leads the housing and neighbourhoods agenda, fighting for investment in affordable housing and raising the profile of the sector. Read

Uncertainty reigns over profit shares

OWNERS and partners of Tees family businesses are set to lose out under government proposals that will outlaw the sharing of profits and dividends. Read

Winning florist is ready for growth

YARM florist Diana Kaye has revealed plans to open a second outlet within two years after beating off competition from supermarket giants and large florist chains to scoop two national awards. Read

February 21: HARTLEPOOL Business Forum meeting on access to finance with a difference, Hartlepool Maritime Experience, 5.15pm. Details from John Megson on 01429 867677.

February 26: TEESSIDE Safety Group meeting on CDM regulations, Marton Hotel and Country Club, Middlesbrough, 1pm. Details from Maurice Adamson on 01642 295174. Read

Rising Stars features up and coming Tees Valley companies who are carving out a local, national and even international reputation for work in their field. Today JEZ DAVISON discovers how John Collins drove the concept of flexible leasing into the Tees vehicle rental industry to create a £25m business in four years.

Read

Pioneer leasing scheme is set for huge growth

JOHN Collins is a man on a mission. Read

Fact File

First pay packet: £2.30 per week as a part-time salesman for a wood retailer Read

Leasing firm set to grow

THE man who drove the concept of flexible leasing into the Tees Valley today takes the hotseat in our Rising Stars series. Discover how John Collins has created a £25m operation in four years - and now has plans for further expansion. Read