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Interview: Annie Barr on China expedition with Chancellor George Osborne

Bdaily spoke to Tyne Valley’s Annie Barr following a recent trip to China, where she accompanied Chancellor George Osborne as part of the Northern Powerhouse delegation.

Annie launched her business in 2009, offering consultancy and training services to healthcare professionals. Now, following a sustained growth period, Annie Barr Associates has grown from a rural Northumberland-based business into an international force, providing accredited healthcare training and consultancy.

Annie explained: “I have signed two Joint Venture Agreements with Chinese companies one in Beijing, one in Zhenjiang and another MOU in Shanghai. We have achieved huge success in a short time in China. We are involved with Healthcare UK, CBBC and UKTI to create opportunities for us in China.”

Describing the importance of the deals, she said: “The Joint ventures are very significant for us, we are a using our expertise and experience in the UK particularly in the Elderly Care market.

“We provide high quality accredited training throughout the UK and internationally and we are passionate about making a difference to care in China. The projects are setting up 4 training centres in Zhenjiang, this is our first, Beijing, Chengdu, Shenzhen.”

Following increased requests for training and consultancy from Australia, Brunei, Sinagpore and Europe, Annie established an international side to the business in 2013 to start working in the Global Marketplace.

Commenting on the company’s expansion, Annie explained: “We have 35 consultants and Associates who work with us in the UK and in China. We have employed our first project manager in China and she has relocated her whole family there 3 children and her husband for the next 3 years.”

Giving further insight into the recent expidition, Annie continued: “The second project in Beijing is providing training for staff of officials and government to be proactive in prevention and health promotion of high end clients.Help people manage their own long term conditions and hopefully help in providing staff who are highly trained to manage these conditions.

“We are training nurses who have just qualified in how to care for the elderly. The third project is for older people and we are providing independent living apartments, for high end clients, care in the community and a tailored service.

“Our care of the elderly course will train health professionals and give them job opportnities therefore affecting the economy in China and raising the profile of care staff and nurses.

“Our aim would be to have a primary care system in China which we are hoping will happen over the next two years. We also have opportunities to have Chinese students come to the UK to train and have practical placements in Nursing homes and hospitals and vice versa.”

The three projects are worth a combined £12m annually.

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