My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures.  Here she talks to author Jenny Pearson about her latest book, The Incredible Record Smashers, which made The Times’ Book of the Week and: Her latest success, her passion for writing and where she gets her inspiration from Tackling big issues such as loss and depression What our young people today need post-COVID Her varied career path and balancing teaching with writing Her recent work with Children’s Cancer North and the poem she co-created about the ringing of the bell to mark the end of cancer treatment The book she’s reading at the moment and whether she recommends it If you would like to keep up to date with Jenny’s news, follow her Facebook page which is Jenny Pearson Author or find her on Twitter @J_C_Pearson. Got a story you’d like to share? If you or anyone you know might make an interesting guest, please do drop me a line at Sarah@Astute.Work. Thanks a lot.

My Friends In The North

Jenny Pearson

My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she speaks to Eileen Jones from Cumbria PR, who has just published a wonderful paperback called ‘How parkrun changed our lives’ about: What inspired Eileen to write a book about parkrun How she organised a book launch which, despite COVID-19, saw 104 relay runners carry a book via a parkrun all the way from the Lake District to London, where the book was handed to the original founder of parkrun in Bushy Park Why parkrun resonates so much with people What makes an impactful marketing event with the means to grow About Ambleside and Cumbria where Eileen lives and more. If you’d like to pick up a copy of ‘How parkrun changed our lives’ by Eileen Jones, you can get that here. You can also keep up to date with the story and Eileen’s news on Twitter via @CumbriaPR.  If you or anyone you know might make an interesting guest, please do drop me a line at Sarah@Astute.Work.

MFITN Sarah and Eileen Mixdown 1

My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she speaks to Louise Hunter MBE, who is the director of corporate affairs for Northumbrian Water Group, about: How Northumbrian Water has kept operations going since the start of the pandemic. Northumbrian Water’s Innovation Festival and the tangible outcomes this has achieved so far. What Louise believes would create transformational change for the north following COVID-19 and Brexit. The Laptop for Kids appeal. Pandemic parenting, mental health and much more.   If you’d like to keep up to date with Louise, you can connect with her on Twitter @HunterLouise or drop her a request on LinkedIn. If you’d like to take part in My Friends in the North, please send an email to Sarah@Astute.Work. Stay safe and see you next time.   

Louise Hunter

My Friends in the North My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she talks to Lucy Winskell OBE, the new chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Employability and Partnerships at Northumbria University, about: Lucy’s priorities at the North East LEP at a crucial time for the regional economy. How partnership working is mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on the region - and the region’s ask of Government. Lucy’s role at Northumbria University and how the pandemic has disrupted higher education. Mid-life career changes. Lockdown and mental health. Top tips for local walks, theatre and a good book to read. If you’d like to keep up to date with Lucy, you can connect with her on LinkedIn. We’re on the hunt for new and interesting guests for 2021, so if you’d like to get invoved or put someone forward, please email Sarah@Astute.Work. See you next time.    

Lucy Winskell OBE

My Friends in the North My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she talks to Helen Dalby, editor-in-chief for Reach plc in the North East about:   Her career to date and the purpose of journalism. The erosion of trust in UK news and hyperlocal as a solution. Misinformation, Government leaks and a digital-first approach. Helen’s Geordie heritage, the qualities she has inherited from her grandfather, Swan Hunter and regional pride. The Sunshine Fund, which funds equipment for children with disabilities. Find out more at thesunshinefund.org. How Helen switches off, relaxes and manages her mental health. You can stay up to date with Helen by following @helendalby on Twitter. If you’d like to be involved in an episode of My Friends in the North, please do drop me a line at Sarah@Astute.Work. See you next time.

Helen Dalby

My Friends in the North My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she chats to Stephen Bell OBE, chief executive of Changing Lives, about: Changing Lives and its charitable purpose The Theory of Change as a way to transform people’s opportunities, resources and help them achieve independence The new ‘lost generation’ of young people failed by the system The impact of confused Government messaging on mental health The benefits of having a business coach To keep up to date with the latest developments at the charity, please follow @ChangingLives_ on Twitter or visit www.changing-lives.org.uk. New voices and stories are always welcome on My Friends in the North so if you or a client would like to be involved, please write to me at Sarah@Astute.Work.  

Stephen Bell OBE

My Friends in the North My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she chats to the founder of Northern Power Women, Simone Roche MBE, about: Northern Power Women and its goals Creating a community of female leaders across the North The findings of a new Levelling Up report Houseboat life Staying optimistic for the future If you’d like to keep up to date with what Simone’s up to, you can connect with her via @SimoneRoche and @NorthPowerWomen on Twitter. You can also visit www.northernpowerwomen.com. If you or a client would like to take part in My Friends in the North, please email Sarah@Astute.Work  

Simone Roche MBE

My Friends in the North My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she speaks to owner and managing director of Gas Angel Heating, Amy Mooney, about moving from marketing and branding into the gas and heating industry after sixteen years and: Helping vulnerable people during the COVID-19 lockdown Finding balance where there is a husband-wife working partnership Tips for blended families Raising a family of boys The Government’s messaging around the lockdown and subsequent easing Social capital and Gas Angel Heating’s support for Just One Tree If you’d like to keep up to date with what Amy is doing, you can connect with her on Twitter @Amy1Mooney We’re always interested in hearing new voices and stories on My Friends in the North so if you or a client would like to be involved, please do drop me a line at Sarah@Astute.Work.

Amy Mooney

My Friends in the North My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she talks to Nicky Jolley, the owner-manager of HR2Day, about:  How businesses are managing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The human resources support that businesses are most frequently seeking. Managing the challenges that come with remote working. An increasing trend towards ‘furlough fever’, where some organisations are having to manage employees who don’t want to come back to work. Forward planning for the recovery and upturn. Managing the redundancy process. Top tips for getting some downtime. If you’d like to connect with Nicky or her business, you can follow @JolleyNicky and @HR2dayltd on Twitter and there is also an HR2Day company page on LinkedIn. If you or a client have an interesting theme for My Friends In The North, why not get in touch via sarah@astute.work. Until next time, take care and stay safe.

Nicky Jolley, Owner-Manager of HR2Day

My Friends in the North   My Friends in the North is a podcast from entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s most influential organisational and community leaders.   In a one-off series of five interviews, Sarah will be sticking to a single theme and talking to members of the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group about what support is available in the region to help businesses and individuals.   In this final episode she speaks to Rob Hamilton, Interim Head of Investment for the North of Tyne Combined Authority, about:   In what ways the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group is looking to the future post-Coronavirus.   The rapid strategic scenario planning that is underway and what this means.   What the worst and best scenarios look like and what Rob thinks is likely for the North East.   The expected impact on the people of the North East of COVID-19.   Who the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group is working with to implement the plan for rapid and sustainable recovery.   How this work impacts the regional economic strategies that were already in place through the Combined Authorities and North East LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan.   How the Group is engaging with Government and other key stakeholders.   How Rob switches off and manages his mental health and resilience at this stressful time.   More information is available on the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group page and via the North East Growth Hub website.   If you’d like to feature on future episodes, contact Sarah Waddington on 07702 162 704 or email sarah@astute.work.   Until next time, thank you, keep well and stay home.    

Rob Hamilton, Interim Head of Investment for the North of Tyne Combined Authority

My Friends in the North   My Friends in the North is a podcast from entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s most influential organisational and community leaders.   In a one-off series of five interviews, Sarah will be sticking to a single theme and talking to members of the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group about what support is available in the region to help businesses and individuals.   In this penultimate episode she speaks to Alan Welby, Innovation Director at the North East LEP,* about:   His role within the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group.   How the Group is maximising support to the economy and promoting immediate resilience.   Ways in which the Group is facilitating ways for businesses to maintain capacity and reshape activity.   Plans to mobilise and accelerate partners in the region to solve new problems.   How current activity fits with the innovation work already underway at the North East LEP.   Why it’s important to promote innovation right now.   What success looks like with regards to the work of the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group.   What one thing keeps Alan feeling optimistic for the future.   To stay up to date with Alan, you can follow his Twitter handle @Alan_Welby. More information is available on the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group page and via the North East Growth Hub website. The survey Alan mentioned can be completed here.   If you’d like to feature on future episodes, contact Sarah Waddington on 07702 162 704 or email sarah@astute.work.   Until next time, thank you, keep well and stay home.   *The North East LEP is an Astute.Work client  

Alan Welby, Innovation Director at the North East LEP

My Friends in the North   My Friends in the North is a podcast from entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s most influential organisational and community leaders.   In a one-off series of five interviews, Sarah will be sticking to one theme and talking to members of the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group about what support is available in the region to help businesses.   In this third episode she speaks to Michelle Rainbow, skills director at the North East LEP* and the Group’s people and employment lead, about:   What the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group is doing to help keep people in employment.   Whether it’s possible to get a true handle on the level of unemployment in the North East at the moment.   The latest Government measures to support the business community and whether regional business owners are taking these up.   The Group’s plans to redeploy staff with transferable skills.   Where employers and employees in the region can go for help and advice right now.   What success looks like for the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group and its partners.   The existing Skills programme of activity at the North East LEP.   What gives Michelle confidence that when the time comes, the North East will be ready to bounce back.   To stay up to date with Michelle, you can find her on LinkedIn or on Twitter @MichelleRainbo4. More information is available on the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group page and via the North East Growth Hub website.   If you’d like to feature on future episodes, contact Sarah Waddington on 07702 162 704 or email sarah@astute.work.   Until next time, thank you, keep well and stay home.   *The North East LEP is an Astute.Work client  

Michelle Rainbow, Skills Director,North East LEP

My Friends in the North is a podcast from entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s most influential organisational leaders. In a one-off series of five interviews, Sarah will be sticking to one theme and talking to members of the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group about what support is available in the region to help businesses. In this second episode she speaks to Colin Bell, who is the business growth director at the North East LEP* and the Group’s business continuity lead about: Why the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group has come together.   His take on the North East marketplace right now.   The issues larger firms in the region are facing.   What’s being done for the self-employed and smaller limited companies.   The North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group’s priorities and how Colin is working with the other work leads and key partners such as the North East Business Support Provider Network to develop solutions.   How intelligence is being gathered to inform Government about the measures they should take to support business resilience and subsequent growth in the North East, and how people can people get involved.   Colin’s top tip for switching off at night.     To keep up to date with Colin Bell, you can follow him on Twitter via his handle @leapthecrowd. More information is available on the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group page and via the North East Growth Hub website. The survey Colin mentioned can be completed here.   If you’d like to feature on future episodes, contact Sarah Waddington on 07702 162 704 or email sarah@astute.work.   Until next time, thank you, keep well and stay home.   *The North East LEP is an Astute.Work client

Colin Bell, Business Growth Director, North East LEP

My Friends in the North is a podcast series from entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s most influential organisational leaders. In these next five interviews, Sarah will be sticking to one theme and talking to members of the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group about what support is available in the region to help businesses. Here she speaks to Helen Golightly, the chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), a client of Astute.Work, about:   What the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group is and who is involved.   The Group’s long-term goal and its immediate five point plan.   Why this strategic leadership and collaboration is so important.   How the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group is engaging with Government and why this collective voice matters.   Advice for businesses trying to stay open and keep people in employment.   Opportunities for industry to help solve national and regional challenges.   How the work of the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group will impact the Strategic Economic Plan, which is designed to increase the number of jobs in the North East by 100,000 by 2024.   What makes Helen optimistic that the North East can withstand the impact of Coronavirus and keeps her feeling positive at this time.     To keep up with the work of the North East LEP and North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group, follow @northeastlep on Twitter or visit the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group page on the www.nelep.co.uk website. Business support and advice can be found at www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk.   If you’d like to feature on future episodes, contact Sarah Waddington on 07702 162 704 or email sarah@astute.work.

Helen Golightly, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

My Friends in the North   My Friends in the North is a twenty-minute podcast series from North East entrepreneur Sarah Waddington in which she interviews some of the North’s leading business and community figures. Here she talks to comedian Hal Branson about: Comedy as a career The Sad Clown effect Managing mental health Mashing up two traditional pantomimes through Cinderella and the Beanstalk Parenting hopes and fears   If you’d like to keep up to date with what Hal’s up to, you can connect with him via his Facebook page Ha Ha Hal Branson or follow him on Twitter @HalBranson.      The first series of My Friends in the North is almost finished but if you or a client would like to be involved, please email Sarah@Astute.Work.

Hal Branson

My Friends In The North is a podcast by PR and management consultant Sarah Waddington featuring interviews with some of the North’s most influential organisational leaders. You’ll gain professional and personal perspectives on each person’s role, the economy, politics, communications and life in general. If you’d like to get involved, follow Sarah Waddington @Mrs_Wadds on Twitter and drop her a line via Sarah@Astute.Work www.Astute.Work

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My Friends In The North

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