Paul McEldon OBE, Chief Executive at North East BIC

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North East BIC - Celebrating 27 years of supporting the region’s businesses

Since its launch 27 years ago, the North East BIC has proven a popular first port of call for the city’s businesses.

Be it providing business space or start-up support, the organisation has helped over 4,000 businesses over the past quarter of a century.

However, like organisations the world-over, the BIC was forced to re-imagine how it operated during the covid pandemic and instead of celebrating its landmark 25th anniversary with a new look brand and a celebration of the milestone, instead channelled its energy into providing much-needed support to the region’s businesses.

Hundreds of businesses turned to the BIC’s team of experts during the crisis, with the team providing everything from temporary workspace to financial signposting and expert advice in the face of adversity.

So, following a two-year delay on marking its 25th anniversary, and to coincide with a new rebrand and bold vision which will see the BIC transform how it supports regional businesses for the next quarter of a century, we caught up with some of those successful entrepreneurs, who over the years have benefited from its indispensable support…

Claire Wayman, Sunshine Co-operative

“The BIC has been with us every step of the way, helping us to manage rapid growth, expansion of services, financial support and support writing funding bids. As a small, young business, it’s a great comfort to know we have this level of support available to us.”

Paul Callaghan CBE, Leighton Group

“When we began Leighton in the early 90s, we found the BIC to be the perfect location to grow our company, offering flexible terms and bigger spaces as we expanded. Add to that the entrepreneurial buzz of great neighbours and the BIC’s management team that understand the needs of ambitious companies, it is an ideal base to build a great future.”

Paul Waite, ISG Group

“The support ISG have received from the BIC over the past 8 years has been outstanding. The team have been instrumental in the company’s growth. ISG started with one office within the Jupiter centre and now occupies the entire building and is helping nurture and develop the next generation of performing artistes from across the region.”

Chris Haritou, Abfad

“Abfad Ltd was established in 1996. After securing our first contract at Swan Hunter’s shipyard in 1997 we required an office location close to work which the BIC offered. The BIC’s personnel assisted us in all aspects of expansion with advice, financial assistance, and encouraged our innovative initiatives which is the key for continued expansion for the company. The BIC was the rock that enabled Abfad Ltd to build our foundation.”

Paul Hampton, Approved Mortgage Solutions

“We moved to the BIC in 2007 when the financial crisis hit the mortgage industry hard. The flexibility and diversity of their services meant we started in a 2–3-person incubator unit and over the years have grown into a 15-person office with some of the best views in the north east. The BIC is more than a landlord, it is a strategic business partner.”

Laura Middleton, The Office Rocks

“The BIC was my first port of call when I had a business idea in 2012. The support I received was invaluable. From advice and recommendations to mentorship and business coaching – it was exactly what I needed as an inexperienced business person.”

Andy Carton, The Little Company of Calm

“When we got to the stage where we were looking for a more professional environment for our business, the BIC was an obvious choice. To have that level of business support expertise on our doorstep is just fantastic and we liked the idea of being part of a ready-made business community.”

For more information about the workspace and support at the BIC visit ne-bic.co.uk


This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by North East BIC .

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