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Interview: Graham Hartley, MD, Siemens Power Generation Services in Newcastle

Graham Hartley talks to Bdaily about Siemens’ drive to support entrepreneurship and innovation in the North East.

As headline sponsors of this year’s Newcastle Business Awards, the organisation is on the look-out for enterprising and dynamic individuals as it pledges to invest in the communities around them.

Aside from serving power stations across the globe, the employer of 2000 staff in the region, is playing an active role in the North East community with MD Graham adopting a number of key roles.

These have included chairing Newcastle University’s Captured Steering Group, a programme aimed at supporting SME’s, alongside being Chairman of charity Groundwork UK, whose aim is to develop local communities, making them more sustainable.

The business is also taking on a proactive role with training, work experience and promoting the role of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to school children.

He explained: “Siemens decided to sponsor the Newcastle Business Awards because we have a commitment to continue to support the societies we operate in.

“We are keen to build on the success of last year’s event and understand the challenges faced by entrepreneurs.

“Siemens was founded by two entrepreneurial brothers over 140 years ago, so we are proof that small, innovative businesses can grow and succeed if given right support.

“We have firm roots in the North East region and as such work really closely with a number of small businesses, many of whom are part of our supply chain.”

With over 500 apprentices currently undergoing training at Siemens’ North East businesses, they have also invested over £9m in a training centre to develop engineering skills and launched a UK-wide engagement programme called The Curiosity Project to promote engineering careers to children, their parents and teachers.

Graham continued: “We also partner with the Newcastle University Business School on their CAPTURE programme, allowing our management the opportunity to mentor and coach individuals from smaller businesses.

“We see this as a win/win; the individuals from the smaller, start-up businesses get access into a global business with expertise in a variety of functions; whereas our managers learn the vital skills needed to mentor and coach people.”

Speaking ahead of the Newcastle Business Awards, Graham paid tribute to the awards’ venue, The Beacon, saying: “The Beacon is a fantastic example of regeneration and combines community and social elements with business.

“The flexibility of the venue means that startup businesses, small companies and large organisations can benefit from the space. The name itself reflects what the building is about; it’s a positive and modern place where people from all walks of life can come together.”

Issuing advice to the community’s rising enterprises, he added: “Take time away from the day-to-day business and concentrate on developing a longer term strategy and keep at the forefront of your mind the market you’re operating and your customers’ demands.

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