Latest news with #North East
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bury door hardware specialist announces 3 senior appointments
A borough door hardware specialist has expanded its team with three senior appointments. Bury-based UAP has welcomed Andy Kay as business development manager for the North West, David Brackpool as business development manager for the North East, and Dan Powell as national account manager. Mr Kay brings more than 30 years of experience in window and door hardware to the role, which will see him building relationships with distributors and fabricators and driving internal and external product uptake. He said: "UAP has such an exciting product portfolio that's driving the hardware industry forward. "I'm really enjoying working with the wider UAP team, and I'm looking forward to building the business in the North West even further." Mr Brackpool brings extensive knowledge of the timber and PVCu fabrication industries, having started his career at John Carr Joinery and held positions with Premdor, Masonite, and Caldwell. He said: "I'm thrilled to be joining UAP, whose commitment to innovation places it at the forefront of a very competitive market. "I'm excited at the prospect of bringing its industry-leading products to current and future customers all over the North East." Mr Powell has more than 20 years' experience in the fenestration industry and previously held senior roles at VBH GB, including recently as head of sales and then head of brand. He said: "I'm incredibly excited to be joining UAP, one of the UK's leading door hardware suppliers. "I look forward to using my skills and experience to support the business's continued growth and help develop an already impressive customer base across the country." UAP was established in 1996 and offers a range of products including fire-rated hardware, locking systems, and security solutions for doors and windows. The company reported revenue of £28.4 million in its most recent financial year – its 15th consecutive year of growth – with revenue rising by more than a third in the year to April 2024, driven by acquisitions and new business launches. READ MORE: People's Postcode Lottery winners this week in Stubbins Bury road closures and restrictions over the next 2 weeks Bridge at Metrolink stop 1st stage of Bury Interchange redevelopment Steve Cox, managing director at UAP, said: "Andy, David, and Dan are incredible additions to the UAP team, with extensive industry knowledge, sharp strategic insight, and a great ability to exceed customer expectations in every interaction. "Their contributions will be vital as we work towards our vision of becoming the UK leader in fire and security door hardware." More information is available at
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
WATCH: Timelapse video of progress on North East's new eye hospital
Staff have had their first glimpse inside the North East's new specialist eye hospital as the countdown now begins to the opening next year. The new Sunderland Eye Infirmary is set to open in summer 2026 and will serve patients from across the North East and North Cumbria. A time-lapse video of the build has been released to mark the one-year milestone, showing progress since construction began 18 months ago. Construction began in December 2023 and the internal fit-out is now well underway. Dr Ajay Kotagiri, clinical director of ophthalmology services at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It was brilliant to visit the new hospital site and amazing to see the actual space we will be working in from next summer. "The clinical areas are so spacious and well designed and we can't wait to be able to see and treat patients in this fantastic new facility." The new hospital will house all current clinical services from the Queen Alexandra Road site, including the Cataract Treatment Centre, which plays a key role in reducing waiting lists across the region. Ophthalmology remains one of the busiest services in the NHS, with many people experiencing sight problems during their lives. Alongside the construction, the Trust's STS Charity has launched the Vision Appeal, aiming to raise £1 million to fund advanced technology and equipment beyond what is included in the hospital build. Dr Kotagiri said: "Our Vision Appeal is a great way for patients and local people to get involved with the new Eye Hospital and be part of something fantastic. "We want to stay at the forefront of eye research and innovation in Sunderland and the STS Charity's support will help us do that. "It will help us to fund equipment and technology, over and above what we already have." The new hospital forms part of the Riverside Sunderland development and is being built by Kier in partnership with Sunderland City Council. READ MORE: Rare breed of horse cherished by the late Queen joins Bishop Auckland theatre show Town to step out in style for ball in memory of 'much-loved' Grace and Wendy Plans to transform Grade II-listed church into housing, offices, and gym approved Councillor Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for business, housing and regeneration, said: "It's fantastic to see work progressing apace on the new Eye Hospital at Riverside Sunderland. "Once complete, this world-class facility will be one of the few standalone specialist eye hospitals anywhere in the UK and the region's only dedicated specialist centre for ophthalmology care." The hospital will also include wellbeing rooms, a café overlooking the River Wear, and a children's area with dedicated waiting and treatment rooms.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
North East entrepreneurs join BBC's Steve Lamacq as trustees of music industry trust
Two entrepreneurs from the North East have been selected to be a part of a music industry trust and will sit alongside BBC DJ Steve Lamacq and other industry insiders. Victoria Smith, of Ghostwriter Consultancy & Events, and Wendy Smith, Creative Director for The Glasshouse, will join eight new trustees for the Live Trust, which has been set up on behalf of the UK live music industry and will deliver funding where it is needed most to help the sector thrive. Victoria and Wendy will join three founding trustees, who are James Ainscough from the Royal Albert Hall, Steve Lamacq of BBC 6 Music and the current Live Chair, and Kirsty McShannon, founder & CEO of Azorra. Victoria is finance director and shareholder at Sunderland-based Ghostwriter Consultancy and has over 20 years' experience working with independent venues and festivals in the UK. She led the development of Gig Lab, a software platform aimed at improving event management and has extensive experience across finance, ticketing, and venue management. Victoria was also recently recognised with the Innovate UK's Women in Innovation Award. READ MORE: Balamory to make shock TV return after 20 years with Newcastle actress in BBC cast READ MORE: Restaurant loved by Dan Burn to open new Newcastle site after major funding deal Wendy is an experienced creative director and performing artist who has played a key role in developing The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and its programmes in Gateshead. The trustees will serve a three year term of office on a voluntary basis and were selected on the basis of their passion for and understanding of the UK live music sector. The trust believes their particular skills could help secure a vibrant future for venues, artists, festivals, promoters and the wider range of actors that make shows possible. The board will use the experience and networks that the new trustees bring to aid its decisions around the assessment of where need is most pressing and where funds can give most impact. Live Chair, Steve Lamacq said: 'Appointing the trustees has been a long, detailed and considered process. We were delighted to receive almost 50 very high-quality expressions of interest in joining the board. I would like to thank Charisse, James and Kirsty for joining me on the appointment panel and taking their role so seriously. I look forward to working with the new trustees to set the foundations for the Trust's work in the months and years ahead'. Established in response to the 2024 Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) report calling for an industry-led voluntary solution to the crisis in the grassroots music industry, the Live Trust is responsible for overseeing a voluntary £1 ticket contribution on arena and stadium shows over a 5000 capacity. It recently announced 800,000 pledged ticket sales from artists including Pulp, Diana Ross, Mumford and Sons, Hans Zimmer, Gorillaz, Wolf Alice and others, and is committed to delivering vital funding where it is needed most. It will act on behalf of the live music industry, which contributes £6.1bn to the UK economy while employing 230,000 people, and will support a grassroots sector which saw 125 grassroots music venues close permanently in 2023, 78 festivals lost in 2024 and a 50% decline in tour dates over the last three decades. We have a dedicated newsletter for What's On news and reviews. It's free and you can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest updates on food, drink, entertainment and events in and around the North East.
