North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme invests in female-founded Do Gooder

The North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme has made a loan investment in Newcastle-based, female-founded strategy and creative agency Do Gooder.

The move is the first investment by the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme, a new partnership between Creative UK and the North of Tyne Combined Authority to offer financial and business support to those working in the cultural and creative industries in North Tyneside, Northumberland and Newcastle.

Founded by Beth Hazon and Nic Quinn, Do Gooder believes in the power of brands to change the world for good.

The investment and accompanying wrap-around business support will enable the company to hire new staff, create employment opportunities in the North of Tyne area, and develop new data insight tools.

Rahul Misra, investment manager at North of Tyne, Creative UK, said: “Beth and Nic are strong advocates for the power of creativity to influence positive change in our society.

“It was a pleasure working with them through the investment process and we look forward to seeing the impact of their work grow, enhancing their offer to clients in the North-East and beyond.”

Beth Hazon, managing director at Do Gooder, said: “Working with the Creative UK team has been a joy.

“Through their support, we’re able to accelerate our impact by building a team, and therefore our reach, in helping brands avoid being cancelled.

“Our work in strategy and creative sets brands free of the fear of getting it wrong.

“What we do is more important than ever for the progressive change making businesses we work with, and Creative UK’s investment has been instrumental in our growth.”

Councillor Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council and North of Tyne cabinet member for culture, creative and rural, said: “Investing in flourishing creative businesses such as Do Gooder is crucial to revitalising the North of Tyne area.

“Do Gooder is a brilliant example of an innovative North East business that will offer a service across the North of Tyne, making an impact not only here but nationally, as well as promoting local talent to a far reaching audience.”

The North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme is investing more than £2 million on behalf of the North of Tyne Combined Authority through loan and equity financing.

Providing loans of between £50,000 and £150,000, and equity finance in the range of £50,000 and £100,000 per investment, the programme offers long-term finance for commercially viable, growth-minded businesses that are innovative, operate in the creative and cultural sector, and are able to deliver meaningful impact in the region.