Business Startup & Growth Consultant, Founder & Event Producer of the PLATFORM & UK Startup Week events.
We’ve been running our half-day PLATFORM events in Newcastle at the Crowne Plaza Stephenson Quarter hotel (just behind Central Station) almost every month since January 2024. If you’ve still not been to one of them, check out this handy 3D tour of the venue by our good friend & PLATFORM event regular Tamilselvan Velusamy (Founder, … More 3D tour of PLATFORM (Newcastle) venue
NBSL, in partnership with The North East Combined Authority, has announced the launch of the next phase of the North of Tyne Business Support Fund (NoTBSF). This grant programme is designed to help local businesses access high quality external expertise to deliver business improvement projects. Grant Offer NoTBSF will provide up to 50% funding for projects … More Get 50% grant funding from NBSL for a business growth project!
At our 1-day PLATFORM Conference in Newcastle upon Tyne on Tuesday (28th April), we’ve got 12 different funders & investors attending who are actively looking for businesses to put money into. We’ve also got a funding & investment panel discussion with Neil Stephenson (Angel Investor, Stephenson Ventures limited / Stephenson Capital Limited), James Katirai (Head of … More Want funding or investment for your business? We’ve got some for you…
We asked ChatGPT ‘What is the PLATFORM Conference in Newcastle all about & why should I attend it?’ Here’s what it said… The PLATFORM Conference in Newcastle is essentially a one-day business growth and networking event aimed at people who want to start, scale, or invest in businesses. Here’s a clear breakdown of what it … More We asked ChatGPT ‘What is the PLATFORM Conference in Newcastle all about & why should I attend it?’ Here’s what it said…
Optimal Accountancy, the North East-based firm of accountants & business advisors, has completed its first acquisition as part of an ambitious new buy & build growth strategy, announcing the purchase of specialist finance consultancy FinFrac Limited. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Optimal Accountancy as it accelerates its plan to build a modern, technology‑enabled advisory … More Optimal Accountancy Limited launches buy & build strategy with first acquisition: FinFrac Limited joins the group
A major new business conference in the North East of England is set to provide “rocket fuel” for founders by connecting them with investors & scaleup experts. The first full-day PLATFORM Conference takes place on Tuesday 28 April in Newcastle upon Tyne. The event is organised by Paul Lancaster (Co-Founder of Stellar Business Events) who … More New conference offers ‘PLATFORM’ for business growth & investment
I’m delighted to share that I’ve / we’ve been nominated for the ‘Ecosystem Growth & Opportunity Award‘ at the ClimbAwards 2026 (part of the ClimbUK festival taking place in Leeds in July)! ⭐️ Here’s why I’d LOVE you to vote for me… For the past 10yrs, I’ve personally advised, supported, promoted & championed thousands of entrepreneurs, … More Please take 2 mins to vote for us in the ClimbAwards 2026
Q1 of 2026 is over! Are you on target, ahead or behind of where you want to be this year? Wherever you are, you can learn how to accelerate your growth & run a better business at our 1st, full day PLATFORM Conference at The Catalyst in Newcastle on Tuesday 28 April. Since January 2024, … More Q1 of 2026 is over. Now what?
On 1st April 2026, it will be 10yrs since I went self-employed in 2016 after spending 15yrs helping other people start & grow their business in various roles for Sage, British Airways, Generator North East, PNE Group, Shell LiveWIRE, Sage (for a 2nd time) & then Tech North (part of Tech City UK / Tech … More Help us celebrate 10yrs in business!
Our PLATFORM events are aimed at ambitious business owners & leaders so we’re delighted to announce the following sponsors for 2026 as they have a proven track record of helping businesses succeed & grow: Want some help or advice from our PLATFORM sponsors? The PLATFORM story so far (& future plans) Launched in January 2024, … More Meet our PLATFORM sponsors for 2026!
On Friday last week, we ran our first PLATFORM (Newcastle) event of 2026 & it was excellent! That’s the first time we’ve used the ‘big room’ at the hotel but it worked well & the photos look great (see my LinkedIn post below) ⬇️⭐️ With January almost over, keep reading to see how you can … More How to get maximum benefit from our PLATFORM events & online resources (to grow your business)
If the answer is yes, you need to be at our half-day ‘Sales Masterclass‘ at the Dakota Hotel in Newcastle (on the Quayside) on Friday 30th January (9.30am-12pm)! Led by our own Neil Stephenson & Paul Lancaster, this is for anyone who wants to know how to sell more & better in a way that … More Want to grow your business by generating more leads & making more sales?