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Executive Compass lands at Hoults Yard in bid to grow North East presence

Executive Compass is the latest firm to take up residency at Hoults Yard in Newcastle.

Targeting new North East clients, the bid writing company has made the move into larger offices to accommodate its team of eight.

The firm, set up on the Quayside in 2009 by former British Rail and Jarvis management executive Neil Capstick, prepares bids and pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQs) SMEs, multi-national companies and government organisations.

Mainly working with businesses in London and the South East, the firm is now focusing on new clients in the North East.

Neil, from Stanley in Co Durham, explained: “We are a North East company, but until now, we’ve tended to work with businesses in the South East. I’m keen to change that and work with clients in the region to win more business for North East companies.

“I’m a big supporter of the North East – my team is made up of graduates from Newcastle, Northumbria and Durham universities – and we are now aiming to bring our winning formula to new clients in the region, just as we’ve done for businesses in other parts of the country.”

Based on this year’s projections, Executive Compass will have achieved a £0.7 million turnover in just six years and credits much of its success to its different approach. Bid writing is usually associated with older freelance staff but Neil took the decision to recruit and directly employ young graduates as part of his business model.

“We have a passionate, enthusiastic and youthful team, with different skills and specialities,” said Neil.

“Traditionally, talented young people leave the region to work in London and the South East, because that’s where the majority of the work is. But we’ve made it our policy to retain North East graduates in the region and create the same kind of high-quality jobs that they would find in London.

He added: “We’re keen to raise awareness among North East businesses that a company with our strong track record is operating in the region. You don’t need to go to London to find this quality of service.”

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