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December’s North East spotlight series: Andrew Love

With Christmas fast approaching and the region’s business people looking forward to a well deserved rest, we’re bringing you a December interview series with a holiday twist.

Here at Bdaily we love to bring our readers closer to the stories we write. So this month, we’re asking the questions we don’t usually get a chance to ask - giving you the chance to learn more about the business people you so often read about.

Next up is Andrew Love, senior manager at Allied Irish Bank (GB) in Newcastle.

Enjoy!

Your business

What were the highlights for your business in 2015?

We restructured our business, moved offices to our new Quayside home and helped some new business customers enjoy the AIB experience – not exactly a ‘normal’ year but a challenging and rewarding one!

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently this year?

Interesting question! I’ve been looking forward so much, time to look back has been scarce! But I would probably have, at times, followed my instinct rather than waiting for things to run their course.

Is there anything we should watch out for your company doing next year?

We will be working hard to convince Owner Managers in the North East that AIB (GB) is an experience worth trying. Our desire is to build on our success, our team and our business and support businesses as they develop and grow.

Your favourites

Have any other North East companies impressed you this year, if so - why?

Danieli Group have impressed me greatly as they have developed their businesses and enjoyed great success and recognition – Phoenix Eye Ltd enjoying national awards, Yolo opening in Ponteland and Homecare Plus growing rapidly as a few examples……………a well managed, diverse, ambitious and successful business.

When business life gets on top of you, what do you do to destress?

I’m still trying to work that out! I want 2016 to be busy and to be fun and to have the time to enjoy ‘destressing’ from time to time, probably spending time in the hills on foot or on my bike.

Have any social media accounts caught your eye this year, any favourite pages or people to follow? (*cough* Bdaily *cough* *cough*)

Bdaily is of course the go-to page for up to date news!! I enjoy keeping up to date with people and businesses on LinkedIn too.

The what ifs

If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

I’ve always wanted to run my own business, ideally something practical and outdoors………and near the sea……..anyone out there got any ideas??

If you could go back in time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Take time to think things through and don’t be afraid to follow your heart.

What would be the perfect Christmas gift for you?

Nothing to do and all day to do it!

Thanks Andrew, happy holidays from the Bdaily team.

To feature in our North East December spotlight series, contact Jamie at jamie.hardesty@bdaily.co.uk.

More interviewees featured in this series:

Dianne Sharp, CEO of DKS Straightforward

Esme Flounders, marketing and communications director at Narrative Integrated Communications

Antony Michaelides, MD of Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms and Bonbar

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