BUSINESS LIFE
■ Three senior colleagues at Gateshead-based Vertu Motors plc have been honoured at the Autocar Great Women Awards 2024.
The annual event, hosted in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), recognises and celebrates the most influential women in the British automotive industry.
Liz Cope, chief marketing officer at Vertu Motors plc, was declared the overall winner of the marketing category, while Elaine Cole and Karen Anderson were also acknowledged among the Top 100 influential figures in the automotive industry.
Ms Cole, commercial director, was recognised in the retail category, while Ms Anderson, chief financial officer, was honoured in the finance category.
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors plc, added: “We are immensely proud of Liz, Elaine, and Karen for their outstanding accomplishments and the well-deserved recognition they have received.
Their leadership and commitment are vital to our continued success and serve as an inspiration across the automotive industry, and beyond.”
■ Newcastle-based insurance broker Lycetts hosted an event aimed at raising awareness around tackling mental health.
Held at the company’s city centre headquarters in Bank House, and supported by the North East Times and mental health app provider Leafyard, the evening saw guest speakers share experiences of the mental pressures of dealing with celebrity and unexpected fame.
Former chair of tech network Dynamo North East Charlie Hoult talked to Newcastle heavyweight Olympic boxing contender Adam Olaore about the impact of his sporting success on mental health, while Anthony Hutton, former Big Brother winner and owner of Mr Hutton’s barber and bar in Darlington, spoke of his mission to tackle male suicide with his recently launched charity Never Throw in the Towel. Jon Davies, behavioural science expert and Leafyard founder, shared thoughts on human behaviours and habits.
Lycetts divisional director Charles Renwick said: “This has been a fascinating and inspiring insight into how people can take control of their mental health - as well as giving friends, family and colleagues support where it is needed.”
■ Team Northumbrian Water will this month embark on an 85-mile sponsored walk along the length of Hadrian’s Wall.
The Walking for Water event aims to raise awareness and funds for Northumbrian WaterAid, a leading international charity dedicated to providing clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene to everyone, everywhere. Over three days starting on May 17, the team will journey along the Roman wall, camping overnight or staying in local accommodation.
The team, sponsored by Mediaworks, includes Jennie Collingwood, head of corporate affairs at Northumbrian Water, Brett Jacobson, CEO at Mediaworks, Andrew Blenkinsop, chief strategy officer at Mediaworks, Ian Dinning, change management director at Mediaworks, Claire Watson-Armstrong of Bamburgh Castle, Helen Crowther, national digital primary care nurse lead at the NHS and John Noone, head of office at Marsh Commercial.
Ms Collingwood said: “We’re incredibly motivated to take on this challenge in support of Northumbrian WaterAid’s vital work.
“Unfortunately, too many people still do not have access to clean drinking water.
“We want to make a difference, that’s why we’re committed to supporting Northumbrian WaterAid’s target to bring this water crisis to an end by 2030.”
■ Colleagues at Newcastle law firm Hay & Kilner raised hundreds of pounds on a 20-mile fundraising night walk.
Ten staff members from the firm completed the walk from Newcastle to Wylam in Northumberland and back to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
The team left the firm’s headquarters on St James’ Boulevard, reaching the halfway point of the Boat House pub in Wylam around 8pm. The return journey took the team back into the city along the north side of the river, and after around seven and a half hours on the road, they got back to their starting point just before 1am.
Around £1,000 in sponsorship from friends, colleagues and business contacts was added to the total, which currently stands at more than £3,200.
Members of the firm voted to adopt GNAAS as their dedicated charity for 2024 and are organising a series of individual and team-based activities to raise as much money as they can for their chosen cause.
Bethany Herbertson, solicitor at Hay & Kilner and head of the firm’s CSR committee, says: “We were lucky to be out walking on one of the few dry days this year, and while we all had many aches, pains and strains by the end of our walk, it felt brilliant to cross the finishing line together.”