Why Small Business Matters

In this episode we aim to unlock the power of networking, with Jeni Smith, owner of North East networking specialists NetKno. In this episode learn why it is important to have a strategy, and how with a little creative thinking you can avoid a morning of bad hotel coffee, and develop useful connections.  Also hear about Jeni's own journey including  setting up a networking business in 2020, just a...

In this episode Dr Matt Sutherland investigates the world of Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property, and how ideas with the right support can help solve some of today's biggest challenges. Joining Matt is Dr Iain Thomas is Head of Life Sciences at Cambridge Enterprise, part of the University of Cambridge that supports new models for developing early stage technology that can provide effec...

In this episode Sarah Stephenson from the Northumbria University Help To Grow Management programme explores the world of top level construction projects.  Many of us have had a manage a small renovation either at home or in business, and come face to face with the stress and pitfalls they can bring. But what if that project was the size of a high rise office block? Paul Bevan is a highly experienc...

In this episode the focus is on sustainability & net zero, 2 phrases we hear a lot about but what do they actually mean, and what do businesses need to do to achieve them? Sarah Stephenson talks to Tamma Carel, founder and owner of 2 businesses with experience in this area. Imvelo is an environmental consultancy helping companies understand sustainability and environmental management to meet U...

In this episode of Why Small Business Matter, Dr Kate Harland explores the journey from the security of a large corporation to venturing out on your own as an entrepreneur. Sam Spoors is founder and Talent & Resourcing Director of Talentheads, a North East based talent and resourcing agency based in Morpeth. Becoming the boss of your own successful company has obvious benefits , but there are...

Engagement is a word many of us hear in business on a daily basis, but what IS engagement?!   Formerly a church minister, he literally wrote the book on how people engage with ideas, things, and each other, working with organisations such as the United Nations and Microsoft. Scott joins Dr Matt Sutherland to talk about creating better engagement, for both employees, brands, customers and your comm...

Does being a good person make you a successful one? Why should you act now to avoid regrets later? And why it's ok to say no! These are some of the topics explored in this episode with Raman Sehgal, author of the best selling book "The Floundering Founder", and founder & Global President of ramarketing , a multi million dollar marketing and content agency with a focus on life sciences. Startin...

In this episode, Dr Matt Sutherland is joined by Joe Marshall, CEO of the National Centre for Universities & Business. An independent organisation focussed on making the UK the best place in the world for businesses and universities to collaborate. We're also joined by Stuart Wilkinson, acting director in Innovation & Research Service at University of Oxford. The team at Oxford have led ma...

Hosted by Dr Matt Sutherland from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University, this episode explores the topic of mental health and business, and in particular of the business owner. Natasha McDonough has an impressive CV, working with top entrepreneurs in the US including Seth Godin of Yahoo and the founders of Office Depot. She's also been a nanny to Hollywood celebrities..! Now though s...

Hosted by Sarah Stephenson, this episode looks at the process of starting a small business, and how the Business School at Northumbria University can help students become entrepreneurs, whilst giving them the safe space to research, test and validate their ideas. Mark Renney is the founder of Wubbleyou, a scalable software business whose journey began in 2010 at Newcastle Business School when alon...

On this episode of Why Small Business Matters, we are joined by Natalie, Emily & Corin from fast growing Cornish Ed-tech business KEVRI, 3 female founders who have made their mark in what is traditionally a highly male dominant industry. They met at Falmouth University while on a business course which pushed them together, and saw them having to launch a business of their own!  Their software...

We welcome two influential business brains active in the business world who will be sharing their experience and advice on the challenges facing SMEs today. Charlotte Keenan  Charlotte leads the Office of Corporate Engagement's international responsibilities and serves as global head of 10,000 Women. She is a member of the EMEA Inclusion and Diversity Committee.  Charlotte joined Goldman Sachs in...

In this episode of Why Small Business Matters, we take a look at how the Covid 19 Pandemic forced one North East business to reevaluate their model, and as a result transform their future! Mark Philpott is our guest, following a 10 year career as a specialist physiotherapist in the British Army he's become a leading figure in the occupational health field and is now CEO at NPH Ltd. NPH Ltd are a N...

Throughout this series we'll be catching up with a number of Northumbria alumni, to discover what life after Northumbria looks like..! Robert Lundgren Jones was a Newcastle Business School student, whose passion for travel and performance led to him setting up his own interactive tour company, Lundgren Tours. Find out how the idea was born, how he overcame the challenges of launching a travel comp...

In this episode Dr Matt Sutherland    is joined by 2 very special guests to discuss the topics of "Duty of Care" in sport, and look at the parallels between being a professional athlete & being a small business owner. Baroness Grey-Thompson is an 11 time Paralympic medalist, and has claimed her place among the all time greats in British athletics. She's also the Chancellor of Northumbria Unive...

To mark 1 year of the Help To Grow Management programme, this month we find out more about the course from some of those who have undertaken it.   This show was recorded live at the iconic Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, and featured a panel chaired by northeast entrepreneur and connector Caroline Theobald CBE. Learn how business support organisations in the region can help your business and l...

In this episode Matt Sutherland is joined by Lucy Winskell OBE and Emma Gaudern. Lucy until recently has been Pro Vice Chancellor of Northumbria University, with a focus on employability and strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Northumbria over a decade ago Lucy was a top litigation lawyer, and has extensive non executive director experience. Her journey is about to continue in a different dir...

In this episode hosted by Matt Sutherland, we explore the topic of internationalisation, with a man who has spent over 35 years working in global business. Richard Swart grew up in South Africa, but seeking a life away from the troubles in that country at the time he moved to America, before finding himself in at the deep end of the business world  and heading for Peterlee in County Durham to...

To coincide with International Women's Day 2022, this episode of Why Small Business Matters speaks to Kirsty McDine-Daniels and Shelley Haque, 2 of the women behind The Millin Charity based in the North East. They help women set up their own businesses, gain employability skills, access training and be part of a supportive community of women working towards financial independence. Through working...

Family, Ambition Curiosity & Innovation - Those are the values which run though North East tech company NBT , led by Executive Chairman Toby Bridges . NBT is a family business dating back to 1908 and some good old family values run through the company ethos. Toby explains why you should put trust in your team to make some big calls, and why there is no such thing as a stupid question. Also joi...

Brought to you by the Help To Grow Management Programme  at Northumbria University, Why Small Business Matters provides SMEs and small business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to share their stories and what it means to be a successful modern SME. In this episode Hannah Hesselgreaves speaks to the new CEO of the North East England Chamber Of Commerce, John McCabe . He started his career i...

Brought to you by the Help To Grow Management Programme  at Northumbria University, Why Small Business Matters provides SMEs and small business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to share their stories and what it means to be a successful modern SME. In this episode Matt Sutherland speaks to Craig Skillicorn, a Northumbria University illumni about his journey from the North East, to Managing...

Brought to you by the Help To Grow Management Programme  at Northumbria University, Why Small Business Matters provides SMEs and small business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to share their stories and what it means to be a successful modern SME. In this episode Dr Matt Sutherland explores the topic of  connectivity and the importance of establishing a wide network. Joining him are...

We're excited to bring you an entertaining new podcast for business owners and managers : Why Small Business Matters.  This new podcast will provide a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful SME in 2021. Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Busin...