Member Article

Business initiative sees North East startups boosted by Newcastle law firm

North East startup companies have been getting a helping hand to grow their fledgling businesses from law firm Ward Hadaway, as part of the Newcastle Science City’s recent Enterprise to Business initiative.

The Newcastle-based company has been advising a series of North East-based companies on issues ranging from customer terms and conditions to trademarks.

The advice has been provided as part of Ward Hadaway’s role as legal adviser to Newcastle Science City, a partnership between Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University which aims to promote and sustain science-led investment and businesses across the city.

The firm’s work with Newcastle Science City partnership has seen it help a string of innovative companies tackle everyday legal issues confronted by early stage, start-up and fast-growing businesses in the technology sector.

Many of the companies which Ward Hadaway has advised are successfully expanding their businesses and making an impact in their sectors.

One of these is One Utility Bill, which aims to tackle that perennial student problem: dividing up who pays what when it comes to bills in a shared house.

The website provides a way for students in a house to pay in a fixed amount every month and splits the payments equally between housemates.

Ward Hadaway provided advice to One Utility Bill on terms and conditions and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulations as well as monitoring general legal issues and troubleshooting when problems arose.

Alex Shiel, Partner and Head of Intellectual Property at Ward Hadaway, led the advice given to One Utility Bill.

Chris Dawson, founder of One Utility Bill, said: “Alex has been fantastic for our company, happy to help in any way he can and is willing to take the time to explain the complex legal issues in a way we can understand.

“He’s always at the end of the phone when we have a question and his guidance has been highly appreciated by myself and many other young start-ups at the university.”

Beauty by the Geeks is another business which has benefited from Ward Hadaway’s advice.

The company originally began life as a science-based blog about beauty products started by two Newcastle University medical students but has now grown to encompass a fully functioning website which takes a forensic look at what beauty products really contain.

They have also expanded to have a physical presence and run events and educational programmes nationally.

Ward Hadaway advised Beauty by the Geeks on its site and on terms and conditions with Alex Shiel again leading the advice.

Brigitte West, CEO at Beauty by the Geeks, said: “Alex Shiel has been an excellent point of call for any legal issues relating to Beauty by the Geeks.

“He helped us to lay our foundations correctly when we first set up and has given invaluable advice as we’ve grown, helping us to tackle problems when they arise.”

Alex Shiel said: “There is a tremendous amount of really innovative work being done in the North East and the businesses backed by the Newcastle Science City partnership are terrific examples of this.

“It has been very rewarding for us to work with such enthusiastic, forward-thinking fledgling companies and to help them on their business journeys.

“Newcastle Science City is doing a superb job identifying, nurturing and supporting talented technology entrepreneurs and we look forward to working further with the partnership and the businesses which it supports.”

Charlie Wainwright, Business Support Manager on the E2B programme at Newcastle University, said: “Alex Shiel at Ward Hadaway has been so willing to provide his support to these young entrepreneurs.

“His advice is always measured and the feedback from the business owners has, without exception, been excellent. He has helped them add value to their individual enterprises.”

Ward Hadaway was initially appointed as legal adviser to Newcastle Science City in November 2012 following a keenly contested competitive tender and interview process.

The firm also advises Newcastle University on a range of issues, including the setting up of companies spun out from the university.