Member Article

NECC shows business-friendly credentials with PR spin-out

One of the region’s leading employers’ organisations has shown its commitment to enterprise by helping one of its own employees to take the first step on the business ladder. The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has provided advice and assistance to enable its former press officer, Mike Parker, to form his own venture.

Mike Parker Media will offer public relations services to a range of clients, predominantly from the North East business community. Most importantly, NECC signed up as the company’s first customer to continue a partnership that has seen its profile raised threefold since Mike was appointed to the role in September 2004.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, said: “Mike Parker has used his knowledge and skills to successfully enhance the profile of NECC and its members over the last few years. I am delighted that we can now help him to set up a new business here in the North East. “I am confident that he will flourish and further the cause of others in the region. We talk a good deal about enterprise and the need for more businesses – it is great when we can take real action in this regard.”

In addition to NECC, Mike Parker Media has already been commissioned in its first few weeks of trading to work with the County Durham Development Company (CDDC), networking specialists The Bridge Club and a regional charity helping vulnerable people, Norcare.

Mike Parker said: “The level of help from NECC has been phenomenal. I was sad to leave such a fantastic organisation, particularly as there are major growth plans being formulated which will take it to another level entirely. However, I’ve been writing about other businesses for the past five years and I’ve clearly been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug so I decided it was time I took control of my own destiny.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .