A Northern property consortium has recorded record results over the past year as it taps into the trend for staycations. Turnover at The SDDE Smith Group, a portfolio of property-related businesses based in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, has risen by nearly 300 per cent during the past 12 months.

A family-owned vehicle repair network, which employs 64 people across its five sites based around the North East region has been acquired by the UK’s fastest growing specialist repair group in a significant private- equity backed deal. Newcastle-based advisors played a leading role in securing and negotiating the transaction.

Sunderland College has been announced as a finalist in a prestigious awards programme that celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year.

Students at Middlesbrough College are quite literally building their own futures as they get hands-on with a multi-million-pound project to enhance their campus.

Mazars, the international tax, audit and advisory firm, has reinforced its commitment to Newcastle with the creation of a Technology & Digital centre of excellence in the city, bolstered by the appointments of Simon Withington and Ahmed Hany.

Small and medium sized businesses, public sector organisations, and community groups developing low carbon projects across Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside can now access up to £2m of investment per project through the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s Green New Deal Fund.

Two of the entrepreneurial minds from Compare the Market are looking to cause further industry disruption, after engaging with a popular business support programme.

One of Europe’s largest construction companies has been appointed to build the new southern entrance of Sunderland’s train station, as transformational plans for the transport hub move ahead. 

New ‘Champion of the North’ GB Bank, focused on lending to underserved regions of the UK, has announced another new appointment of Mike Says as Chief Financial Officer.

Environment and regeneration charity, Groundwork South & North Tyneside, has said farewell to two trustees, who were appointed on its formation exactly 30 years ago.