Volunteers from Newcastle firm British Engines have planted 100 trees at a National Trust site to commemorate the company’s centenary.
Volunteers from group companies, Bel Valves, CMP Products, Michell Bearings and Rotary Power planted 100 trees at the Wallington site in Northumberland as part of the wider Wilder Wallington, which aims to plant one million trees by 2030, as well as reintroduce native species and improve peatlands and waterways.
Richard Dodd, CEO of the British Engines Group, said: “The National Trust is the biggest conservation charity in Europe and we’re delighted to be marking this anniversary with an initiative that will benefit the local community that we have been a part of for one hundred years, and hopefully many more years to come.
“Supporting projects like this demonstrates British Engines’ commitment to transitioning to a low carbon future. As we continue manufacturing, it’s important to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint for the future.”
Read more: British engines celebrates centenary
The head of sales and marketing at Newcastle’s Crowne Plaza hotel has won a prize at the Meeting Industry Association’s annual awards.
Luke Balcombe picked up the Individual Award in the 2022 miaList after judges praised the overall contribution he makes to the hotel and also the way he supported his team through recovery from the pandemic. The same event also saw the NewcastleGateshead Initiative win the Innovation Award for its Tyne to Get Back to Business campaign.
Crowne Plaza general manager Paul Borg said: “I am thrilled for Luke. It is a richly deserved award. This is the third time I have worked with him, and I see at first hand the commitment and dedication he puts into his work.
“He is right to mention teamwork, however. The Crowne Plaza is on course to have its most successful year since opening in 2015 and that is down to the team we have here, and the hands-on leadership provided by owner David Clouston. He lives and breathes the hotel and is on first name terms with everyone. I’ve never experienced that before.”
Newcastle firm durhamlane is celebrating a successful 2022 in which it won two industry awards and was shortlisted for six others.
The sales and marketing firm has won an Engage B2B Award for best use of onboarding and training and also won the GSA UK Award for excellence in partnership collaboration for its work with Konica Minolta Business Solutions over the last three years.
Jake Spence, managing director of durhamlane, said: “As a people-centric business, we are passionate about the development and success of our staff, because we know achieving this means we have a happy, loyal, and thriving customer base who are represented by them. We are delighted to have been recognised not just for our noteworthy campaigns and staff development programmes, but also the talented people within our team and look forward to 2023.”
Businesses in Sunderland have given hundreds of youngsters the gift of reading this Christmas, following a successful book campaign.
Hudson Road School has a long-held tradition of giving pupils a book during the festive season, so that over the years they have their own set of favourite stories. But a lack of funding meant the scheme was in jeopardy this year, until businesses led by the Sunderland BID stepped in.
On the last day of term every one of the 313 pupils who attend Hudson Road Primary School was given a book to take home, with dozens more donated which will remain in classrooms. Businesses including The Works, Waterstones and Great Reads all donated books, with Sunderland Rotary SR1 group and many other businesses making donations.
Kirsty Currie, operations manager at Sunderland BID, said: “The response we have had has been incredible. Everyone completely got behind the scheme, realising how important it was for these youngsters not to be disappointed and get a book as they do every Christmas. We are so grateful to all of the businesses who have given this support and have ensured this fantastic tradition can continue.”
Construction firm Miller Homes North East is supporting a scheme which helps young footballers to secure future careers.
The Post-16 Academy launched by Morpeth Town AFC in 2021 provides young people with somewhere they can study and play the game they love full-time. Working with TyneMet College, the scheme sees six young players study for professional qualifications in trades such as brickwork, plumbing, welding and electrical installation, as well as undertaking work experience with Miller Homes and its local subcontractors.
Nick Gray, academy director at Morpeth Town FC, said: “As a club, we know just how many teenagers love playing football and want to chase the dream of becoming a professional, but we also know the importance of them gaining skills in the right industry. While the course helps increase their playing skills - and may prove a launchpad for some to make it professionally - it also provides an important career back-up option for those who unfortunately will not make the grade. Since its launch, we’ve already had six lads study for qualifications while undertaking work placements and the feedback from them has been fantastic. They’ve really bought into it and seen value in the programme.”
Patrick Arkle, regional managing director at Miller Homes North East, said: “We are proud to be one of the first employers to support the Post-16 Academy programme. Over recent years, much has been made of the failure of academies across the country to protect the wellbeing of young players, especially when it comes to helping those who don’t make the grade transition into everyday life, and this is a fantastic case study of how the process can be improved by bringing together forward-thinking organisations such as TyneMet College and Morpeth AFC to provide real life-changing opportunities for the game’s youngsters.”
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