Why Small Business Matters

In this episode we take a break from the studio and are delighted to be guests of Newcastle University, recording in the Catalyst, with a dynamic community of dynamic businesses and research specialists, working collaboratively to develop products and services.

The main focus is on the Arrow programme arrowinnovation.org.uk, and why four of the North East’s Universities (Newcastle University, Durham University, Sunderland University and Northumbria University) are involved in helping business access knowledge to

· Develop a new product or service

· Undertake research and development

· Gain proof of concept and validation

· Develop your MVP

· Access research facilities and equipment

· Gain research insights

Arrow’s targeted innovation projects are fully-funded and open to businesses based in County Durham, North Tyneside, Newcastle and Northumberland. Arrow has already helped over 150 businesses in the region innovate thanks to funding to funding from the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Durham County Council and North of Tyne Combined Authority

Guests include four representatives from the universities and two business owners who have partnered with Arrow.

The panel features Chris Angus, Programme Manager for Arrow from Newcastle University, Mike Jurowski, Business Development Manager from Sunderland University, Andrea Zachariou, Senior Innovation Associate from Durham University and Jenny Taylor, Executive Director of Research and Innovation Services from Northumbria University.

We are also joined by 2 people who have gained valuable knowledge and support from Arrow. Janine Craig, Founder of Shop by Shape, an AI product to help minimise waste in the fashion industry and Dik Barton, Founder and COO of Armatrex, a company developing expanding foam for use as an inflatable splint for use in emergency situations.

To find out more about the Arrow project visit: arrowinnovation.org.uk

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In this special episode we are on tour in South Yorkshire, Associate Professor Alexandra Anderson from Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University hosts the show, and speaks to a leading entrepreneur from the city.

This episode looks at inclusivity from a social and economic perspective, Laura Winson is our special guest, co founder of Zebedee, an inclusive talent agency in Sheffield. Zebedee is a real disruptor in the talent agency world, challenging the way disability and physical difference are represented in fashion and the media.

They have recently been the focal point of Channel 4's Talent Agency documentary, and in tis episode we hear about the challenges and success of creating a truly inclusive company.

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In this episode, we talk about The Small Business Charter and the valuable support provided to small businesses over the last ten years.

Dr Matt Sutherland is joined by 3 guests, Flora Hamilton, Erin Sully-Norris and Helen Lee, three people who have experienced first hand the important work provided by the Small Business Charter.

Flora Hamilton having spent the last ten years as director and head of financial services at the CBI, in May this year became the CEO of the Chartered Association for Business Schools (CABS) with direct responsibility for the Small Business Charter and accreditation. Celebrating world class business schools across the UK & Ireland that demonstrate excellence and impact in supporting small businesses, including more recently, the successful delivery of the Help to Grow management scheme.

We're also thrilled to be joined by Erin Sully-Norris, Head of Commercial at Epicurium, a North East snack food business and an alumni of Help To Grow Management at Northumbria.

Helen Lee also joins us, she's Programme Manager at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, with a core focus on facilitating universities and small business collaboration.

For more info on the Help To Grow Management course at Northumbria visit Northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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In this episode the Why Small Business Matters podcast head out on tour from Northumbria University in Newcastle, to our capital and the University of West London.

In this episode we ask "Why Apprenticeships Matter", and to answer that question are some very experienced guests. Hosted by John Charlton, Head of Knowledge Exchange at UWL, we are also joined by Janet Rowson, Director of Apprenticeships, and Sashin Shah, who has welcomed apprentices into his organisation Onepoint via UWL for a number of years.

We look at the value Apprenticeships bring to individual development, the advantages hiring apprentices can bring to an organisation, and different working cultures which may help retain budding professionals for a longer period.

This podcast is part of the Why Small Business Matters series from Northumbria University, made possible by the UK Government Help To Grow Management course at Newcastle Business School.

For more visit Northumbria.ac uk/helptogrow

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In this episode Sarah Stephenson explores the world of HR and how to retain your best people with Kathryn Rodgers, of Newcastle based face2face HR.

Are you a small business owner struggling with the complexities of human resources? You're not alone. Human resources is a field that often gets bogged down in regulations and paperwork, losing sight of the very people it's supposed to serve. But what if you could transform your HR into a powerful tool for employee engagement and retention?

Enter Kathryn Rodgers, a seasoned HR consultant and the latest guest on "Why Small Business Matters." With over 21 years of experience under her belt, Kathryn has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of HR practices. She's here to tell us why communication is not just a buzzword but the cornerstone of successful HR management.

To find out more about the Help To Grow Management course at Northumbria University visit northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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Step inside the game-changing Business Clinic at Northumbria University, where the future of business consultancy is being redefined. This episode features the voices of those at the forefront: Nigel Coates, Dr Rebecca Dutson and entrepreneur Kelly Maxwell of Kelly's Heroes. Learn how the clinic's unique approach has not only provided over 700 small businesses with tailored support but has also equipped students with unmatched real-world experience, leading to successful careers and business transformations.

For more information on the Help To Grow Management programme visits northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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In this special episode thepodcast is on tour in the North West, as Professor Jennie Shorley is joined by special guestHelen Tonks. Helen is the vision and drive behind the growth of the multi award-winningHydraulics Online brand; from a business start-up on a blank sheet of paper in 2004, to theNorthern Powerhouse Export Champion and global provider that they are today - with
customers across 20 sectors in 130 countries around the world.

Helen is actively involved in local and regional education, through providing careerssupport to local high schools and real business engagement and learning opportunities touniversity students.

In recognition of all this, Helen was selected to join the Northern Power Women PowerList, celebrating those who challenge the norm and use their influence and power for good,and then for Mentor of the Year in 2023.

If Helen wasn't busy enough she juggles the whole work-lifebalance with being mum to seven. Yes, seven kids. So if you’re someone who feels like
there’s never enough hours in the day, Helen is going to share some time managementtips too!

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In this episode Sarah Stephenson is joined by recruitment entrepreneur and group CEO Steve Rawlingson. Steve founded Samuel Knight, a specialist renewable energy and sustainable transportation recruitment business in 2014 from a single person office in Newcastle.

Steve discusses how despite some tough school years, he always felt he would be an entrepreneur. Fast forward to 2023 and Samuel Knight employs over 100 consultants with offices throughout the UK, USA and Middle East. They generate $35 million annually and offer recruitment project solutions across 48 countries. Steve has over 20 years of international human capital and specialist staffing experience within the engineering and technology sector, delivering project-based solutions for the renewable energy and sustainable transportation industries.

Steve's mission is to help build a greener and more environmentally friendly world by working with his global community to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. Having had success with his own businesses, Steve is now committed to helping those starting out with their own journeys. Steve does this via mentoring, speaking and investing in start-ups.

Steve has also launched his own podcast called Unlock Your Mindset (Click For Link) Available on all podcast platforms now

Why Small Business Matters is brought to you by the Help To Grown Management team at Northumbria University. To find out how Help To Grow could help your business, visit northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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In this episode of Why Small Business Matters Dr Kate Harland talks to Steve Underwood, Founder and Managing Director of Bonded Agency based in Newcastle.

We discuss why culture and values can't be created overnight, why support networks are immensely important in business, and building a brand from the ground up!

Steve is a prominent member of the business sector growth board for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, also chairing a sub board for digital strategy. In addition Steve chairs a regional committee for NABS, a support organisation for people working in advertising and media.

This podcast is brought to you by the Help To Grow Management team at Northumbria University, for more information on how you can help further your business management skills head to Northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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In this episode Sarah Stephenson is joined by Justin Turner, business author and director of the accountancy and book keeping firm Orange Umbrella, a company where the aim is to relieve business owners of unnecessary stress and anxiety. He's also a subject expert and visiting lecturer at Northumbria University, helping business leaders to understand finance and financial management.

Justin describes himself as a Newcastle-based entrepreneur with a passion for helping business owners understand their business finances.

In this episode we discover why the basics of accountancy are vital to small businesses, such as cash forecasting, and how modern technology can help things run smoothly for you!

To learn more about the Help to Grow Management course at Northumbria, visit Northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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