http://bdaily.co.uk/ Bdaily is the home of leading business news stories - the first port of call for information on local and national businesses, events, jobs and campaigns. en-gb Copyright bdaily Ltd. digital@bdaily.co.uk Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:31:01 +0000 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:31:01 +0000 Latest News bdaily.co.uk http://blogs.law.harpublicd.edu/tech/rss http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/lep-leaders-discuss-plans-for-european-relations/ Delegates from across Europe have visited the North East this week to witness the opportunities available to them in the region.At the ‘North East England in a Global Europe: Ambitions for Growth’ conference, hosted by the North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership (NE LEP), delegates discussed ways to promote trading between European countries and regional businesses.   The conference was also the first opportunity for the NE LEP to bring together key stakeholders to examine possible working relationships with European partners.Paul Woolston, Chair of the North Eastern LEP, said: “Building our trade and industry links with Europe is vital if we are to achieve our aims and ambitions for regional economic growth. “This conference is a unique opportunity for us to come together as a region, to explore best practice and develop those crucial strategic economic relationships with Europe, that will be vital if we are to maximise future growth opportunities.“Chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, James Ramsbotham believes that Europe is a huge potential market which regional businesses now must make the most of.He commented: “There is nervousness about what will happen in the Euro, but it still presents an excellent opportunity for UK businesses.“The culture in Europe makes it easier for us to do business than many other parts of the world, and firms must recognise this. “We now need to use all of the advantages that we have here in the North East to show European businesses that are looking for opportunities outside of the Eurozone but within Europe that we are the very best place in the world to invest.” Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:01:00 GMT Bdaily http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/lep-leaders-discuss-plans-for-european-relations/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Business http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/lep-leaders-discuss-plans-for-european-relations/ http://bdaily.co.uk/news/technology/22-02-2012/london-fashion-week-and-the-use-of-digitalmedia/ Organisers of the London Fashion Week, the highly prestigious event taking place at the moment, chose an innovative way to promote it and keep the London fashionistas abreast of latest presentations. Using digital displays located in London’s tube stations and outside Westfield London’s Eat Street, behind-the-scenes photos from various shows were shared with the capital’s fashion conscious but busy audience. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:01:00 GMT Dynamax Technologies Ltd http://bdaily.co.uk/news/technology/22-02-2012/london-fashion-week-and-the-use-of-digitalmedia/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Technology http://bdaily.co.uk/news/technology/22-02-2012/london-fashion-week-and-the-use-of-digitalmedia/ http://bdaily.co.uk/news/finance/22-02-2012/markets-jittery-in-wake-of-greek-bailout-deal/ European markets were broadly lower this morning as investor focus shifted from the euphoria of the bailout package to concerns surrounding its sustainability and its failure to address the underlying problems i.e. Greece’s competitiveness and economic growth prospects. The latter was accentuated by the downgrade of Greek government debt from CCC to C (the lowest level above a default), the agency stating that it would consider Greece to have technically defaulted after the bond exchange is complete. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:01:00 GMT Vertem Asset Management http://bdaily.co.uk/news/finance/22-02-2012/markets-jittery-in-wake-of-greek-bailout-deal/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Finance http://bdaily.co.uk/news/finance/22-02-2012/markets-jittery-in-wake-of-greek-bailout-deal/ http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/entering-the-winter-olympics/ Given the Tipster’s failure to break into the summer London 2012 Olympic Team, he turned his mind to the Winter Olympics. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:01:00 GMT DWF Business Law Firm http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/entering-the-winter-olympics/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Business http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/entering-the-winter-olympics/ http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/more-women-needed-in-boardrooms-say-fsp/ The head of the Financial Skills Partnership has praised Government efforts to encourage more women into the boardroom, but is calling on businesses to do more to even the balance for the future.A year after the launch of his report on boardroom diversity, Lord Davies has commended efforts made by top companies to get women into senior positions, but also noted that there are still some businesses who are still failing to meet targets.In his 2011 report, Lord Davies called ob FTSE 100 companies to ensure they had a minimum of 25% of female board members by 2012. While this has risen from 12.5% in 2010 to 15% in 2012, online 26% of new board appointments made since last March were women.Liz Field, CEO of the the Financial Skills Partnership believes that businesses need to make more strategic moves to create a positive cultural environment for potential female leaders of the future.She commented: “There are clear signs that the industry is beginning to tackle boardroom diversity issues, but there are, however, major concerns around sustaining the momentum. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:01:00 GMT Bdaily http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/more-women-needed-in-boardrooms-say-fsp/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Business http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/more-women-needed-in-boardrooms-say-fsp/ http://bdaily.co.uk/news/lifestyle/22-02-2012/cintra-celebrate-pancake-day-in-style/ As always, Cintra like to do things a little different, so Tom, our newest Developer decided he would cook pancakes this Shrove Tuesday in aid of COCO.   Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:01:00 GMT Cintra HR & Payroll Services Ltd http://bdaily.co.uk/news/lifestyle/22-02-2012/cintra-celebrate-pancake-day-in-style/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Lifestyle http://bdaily.co.uk/news/lifestyle/22-02-2012/cintra-celebrate-pancake-day-in-style/ http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/why-would-a-ceo-speak-to-you/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:01:00 GMT http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/why-would-a-ceo-speak-to-you/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Business http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/why-would-a-ceo-speak-to-you/ http://bdaily.co.uk/news/lifestyle/22-02-2012/north-east-food-and-drink-companies-showcase-produce/ North East food and drink producers are being encouraged to showcase their talents to key buyers at a coming event.Top Quality Local Produce 2012 will bring together producers and buyers on Wednesday February 29 at the Mariott Hotel MetroCentre.Organised by Compete North East and supported by EAT! NewcastleGateshead Initiative, the day will include a networking taster session, where head chefs and general managers will be able to sample food.A series of one-on-one meetings aimed at securing new supplier contracts will follow.Paul Taylor, head of business engagement at Compete North East, said: “These events are hugely popular because it’s a really time-efficient way to network. “We’re inviting the region’s leading food and drink producers to showcase their talents to top hotels and attractions.“It’s a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved. Smaller producers meet high calibre businesses and potentially secure contracts, and the buyers might just find that hidden gem of a supplier they’ve been looking for.”Mr Taylor said a number of buyers have already confirmed including Centre for Life, Jesmond Dene House, Tyneside Cinema, The Alnwick Garden, Marriott Hotels, Hotel Indigo and Ramada Encore. Gelder’s Bakery of Sunderland secured a contract to supply 20 Asda stores with 1,360 packs of pies per week, following a previous event.Owner Tony Gelder, said: “It’s really difficult for smaller companies to meet the decision-makers. So these events are a fantastic way to meet and do business.  “We couldn’t believe that we would ever have the chance to talk to Asda, never-mind be awarded a contract.”Some of the confirmed producers include Beckleberry’s, Mark Toney & Co, Northumberland Gourmet Pie Company and The TeaShed.Simon Preston, festival director of EAT! NewcastleGateshead, said: “Over the past five years EAT! NewcastleGateshead has helped raise the profile of the region’s food and drink industry thanks to the on-going support of food producers, chefs, restaurants and the wider sector.“This event gives local food producers the chance to showcase their amazing products and develop new business opportunities across the region.  EAT! NewcastleGateshead is proud to champion the wonderful North East food offer.” Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:01:00 GMT Bdaily http://bdaily.co.uk/news/lifestyle/22-02-2012/north-east-food-and-drink-companies-showcase-produce/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Lifestyle http://bdaily.co.uk/news/lifestyle/22-02-2012/north-east-food-and-drink-companies-showcase-produce/ http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/two-castles-and-esh-group-form-innovative-partnership/ 250 homes are set to be build across the North east and North West, thanks to an innovative new working partnership between Two Castles Housing Association and the Esh Group.Hadrian Development Solutions Partnership will use £5.2 million of fudning from the Homes and Communities Agency under the Governments Affordable Home Programme, and is one of the first developer led, national contracts signed by the HCA.Rob Brittain, property services director at Two Castles believes that for the housing sector to evolve and find new ways of working partnership schemes could make projects nore effective and prevent duplication.He commented:  “Working in partnership like this has been fantastic for Two Castles as it resulted in the successful acquisition of funding to provide high quality, affordable housing for communities.“We are hoping that other housing associations will see the benefits of this innovative partnership scheme based approach and are also inviting others in the housing industry to work with us to share best practice and create an innovative way of working, helping to deliver more affordable homes for more communities in the future.” David Halfacre, chairman of Esh Property Services echoed his sentiments, adding: “We are delighted to be working with Two Castles on this innovative approach to providing much needed affordable housing in the north of England. This partnership is unique in that we led on the successful bid to the HCA in the 2011 - 2015 Affordable Homes Programme. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:01:00 GMT Bdaily http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/two-castles-and-esh-group-form-innovative-partnership/#comments http://bdaily.co.uk/feeds/news.xml Business http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/two-castles-and-esh-group-form-innovative-partnership/