News

North East entrepreneurs GLEAM in national Arena

(27 June 2006)

Three North East entrepreneurs have been handpicked by national men’s magazine, Arena, as it searches for the most eligible entrepreneur in the country.

Steve Bainbridge, Chris Taylor and Nick James, all graduates of Durham Business School’s GLEAM (Graduate Learning of Entrepreneurship Accelerated through Mentoring) programme, were shortlisted for Arena’s O2 X Awards and feature in the magazine’s July edition. The GLEAM programme, now in its eighth year, supports sustainable graduate new business ventures in the region. To date, it has assisted in the creation of 114 new businesses, providing a significant boost to the North East economy. Steve Bainbridge is the 29-year-old owner of beatsuite.com, a royalty-free online music library which produces music and sounds that smaller multimedia and telecoms companies can then download and use for a set fee. Steve has a background in music, as a drummer and DJ. 30-year old Chris Taylor owns Superkrush Productions, which has created over 100 productions, including TV commercials, music videos and feature films since its inception in 2001. Superkrush has grown into one of the North East’s leading providers of modern image. Furniture maker and owner of James Design, 27-year-old Nick James creates bespoke pieces which are a combination of both art and furniture. He also manages Mushroom Works, a converted warehouse which houses 12 workshops for artists and designers in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley. The GLEAM programme has created 159 new jobs and is helping to redress the region’s low business start-up rate and poor level of graduate retention. GLEAM project director, Wendy Parvin, herself a North East graduate and entrepreneur, said: “Steve, Chris and Nick have all been ‘GLEAMers’ at different times over the years. “They are focussed, work very hard and have the courage to seize opportunities – which are vital ingredients for successful entrepreneurs – and we’re absolutely delighted to see them gaining national recognition for their achievements.” Wendy added: “To have three people from the same initiative in the final of a national competition of this kind really is something the GLEAM programme and Durham Business School can be proud of.” The results of the Arena O2 X Awards will be announced in July.