Jess Williams: 10 years of marketing and sales consultancy

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re featuring prominent and inspiring women in business in the North East region. Jessica Williams, Founder and Managing Director at Just Williams, spoke to us about equality, communities, and professional development. Just Williams is a certified B-Corp sales and marketing agency based in Stockton-on-Tees, at the heart of the Tees Valley,...

The Business Clinic – in good health

Since 2014, the trailblazing Business Clinic at Northumbria University has provided pro-bono consultancy work to hundreds of companies and organisations. The benefits have not only helped level the playing field for students but provided a fresh perspective on business challenges. Alison Cowie asks its founder, Nigel Coates, why the initiative has been such a success. University Business...

Coquet Chocolates puts Coquetdale on the map

Former IT professional Roz Tinlin is on a mission to raise the profile of an often overlooked area of Northumberland she’s called home for the last 23 years. How? Through her B&B, whisky and chocolate, of course! Alison Cowie speaks to the serial entrepreneur to find out more. Roz Tinlin had enjoyed a successful career in IT when, in 2001, she and her family decided to buy a B&B in...

Melissa Coutts is made of the rite stuff

After she was made redundant in 2004, Melissa Coutts walked into a recruitment office and said ‘I need a job. I’ll do anything’. They responded by offering her a job. Ten years later, she started her own recruitment business, Recruitrite, focused on providing bespoke, long-term solutions for clients. Here, the Darlington-based managing director and recruitment professional reflects on her...

Lush Logistics is boxing clever

Frustrated by poor service and hidden costs when using third party logistics companies, Matthew Drennan has established an order fulfilment centre with a difference. Here, he talks about Lush Logistics’ journey so far and reveals why office space, transparent pricing and supporting local are helping this company pack a punch. When Matthew Drennan and his wife, Emma, had their first child in...