The Journal

Graduate Becomes Her Own Boss

A SUNDERLAND PhD graduate has swapped her lab coat for her new business, aimed at promoting the North East. Donna Petch, 30, studied a BSc in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science and completed a PhD in medicinal chemistry at Sunderland University before moving to Leeds, where she worked at St James's Hospital and Leeds University in cancer research.

Big Investment Boosts Property Firm 1st Group

PROPERTY manager 1st Group has secured a six-figure investment as it bids to become the leading independent firm of its type in the UK in the next few years. The Newcastle-based firm was set up by property directors Graham McIntosh and Chris Finney in 2009, and has a client base that includes high street banks, building societies and lenders as well as large property investors.

Forecast for Growth in Second Half

LAST week the CBI released our latest economic forecast, following the news that the UK had officially entered recession again, our forecast predicted that growth will resume in the second half of the year - a small sun on the horizon. The challenges facing business remain but there is certainly good news out there, our latest SME manufacturing survey shows business sentiment rose for the first time since mid-2011, and orders and production are expected to grow solidly over the next quarter. ...

They Said

Pork Pies Started the Dismantling of All That I Once Held Dear ; Columnist

NOW, children, for today's quiz: what do pork pies, the Church of England, Coronation Street and Facebook have in common? In the past two weeks, I have finally lost faith in all of them. It all started with a pork pie, in the literal sense, not Westminster rhyming slang. For 20 years, I was principally employed to burnish the reputation of one of Britain's largest food manufacturers, whose extensive product portfolio included the country's leading pie brand.

If Heads Don't Roll Over This Dreadful Case, Then Our Heads Should Hang in Shame

LAST week nine men, all but one from Pakistan, were sentenced for a string of sex offences against young girls, some barely into their teens. Some commentators have said there was no racial element.

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Commercial Property Show Set to Draw Crowds

ONE of the biggest events in the North East commercial property sector takes place on Tyneside today.) Senior regional figures in the business will address what are expected to big crowds at this year's Tyne and Wear Commercial Property Show. The free event aims to give growing businesses an opportunity to find out about the latest developments and tap into a range of support services.

Power Firm to Push On with Network Upgrade

ELECTRICITY distribution business Northern Powergrid will this year push ahead with a major upgrade of its network, some of which is more than 50 years old. The Newcastle-based group, which recently rebranded itself from CE Electric UK, spent pounds 290m on the network last year and group financial controller Paul Ainsley said it would spend substantially more during 2012.

Scheme to Tackle Inequalities in Industry

AN INITIATIVE designed to help stamp out inequality in one of the more male-dominated sectors has been launched in the North East. The ConstructED initiative - the first of its kind nationally - has been devised to implement and promote equality and diversity (E&D) policies and to tackle inequalities in the industry, which is traditionally heavily male-dominated and has few disabled employees or workers from ethnic minorities.

Mp Joins Victim Protest ; Plans to Shake Up Service Under Fire

ACAMPAIGN against Government proposals to reform services for crime victims and witnesses has been backed by a North East MP who says they are unnecessary and potentially damaging. National charity Victim Support (VS) has launched an e-petition calling on ministers to rethink moves to devolve the commissioning of services to 42 elected police and crime commissioners.

Sons Pitch in to Help Mum Launch New Rag Dolls Business

A MUM whose two young sons inspired her to launch her own business will today pitch her big idea to Sir Richard Branson. Maria Albertson impressed the billionaire tycoon with her plan to start selling superhero rag dolls for boys.

Town 'Jewel' Is Sold Off for Pounds 430,000

ONE OF Hexham's 'Crown Jewel' buildings was sold at auction yesterday for just under half a million pounds. The Old Grammar School on Hallgate fetched its reserve price of pounds 430,000 in the London sale.

It's All Pukka for Victoria As Fundraiser Is Launched

Tackle Empty Homes Issue, Demands Mp

HEXHAM Tory MP Guy Opperman is urging national and local government to act to tackle the growing issue of empty homes. Latest figures show around 720,000 homes standing unoccupied in the UK.

Crackdown Launched On Speeding Drivers

A NORTHUMBERLAND councillor has joined forces with local police officers to slow speeding motorists. Northumberland County Councillor David Ledger, who represents Choppington, has helped secure funding for a speed camera which will be used in Bedlington, Stakeford, Cambois, West Sleekburn, Guidepost and Choppington. The handheld laser device was bought through the Local Multi-Agency Problem Solving Group whose members include the police and local councillors.

Food Scare Risk to Shooting Industry ; Charity Campaign Against Lead Shot

ENVIRONMENTALISTS plotted a campaign which could clip the wings of the North East's multi-million-pound shooting industry. A leaked Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) memo sees the charity outline efforts to create a food scare over the lead content of game meat and influence public opinion using celebrity chefs and powerful internet groups such as Mumsnet. Each year the region's 40 grouse moors alone are worth over pounds 16m to the local economy.