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 establish Berger UK.  

He knows first hand what it is like beginning a new life is a strange country, but in business he has been responsible for working on deals in international markets such as China, where expectations differ greatly from those of the UK and Europe.

In this episode find out more about Richard's journey, how he has gained the respect of business leaders around the globe, why Peterlee is a great place to build a business, and the impact Covid and Brexit has had on his own company. 

Richard is also chair fo the Open North Foundation, and the Advanced Manufacturing Forum, and is hugely passionate about success of businesses in the North East.

This podcast is in association with Northumbria University's Help To Grow Management Programme. Find out more at northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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 &nbsp;and heading for Peterlee in County Durham to establish Berger UK. &nbsp;
He knows first hand what it is like beginning a new life is a strange country, but in business he has been responsible for working on deals in international markets such as China, where expectations differ greatly from those of the UK and Europe.
In this episode find out more about Richard's journey, how he has gained the respect of business leaders around the globe, why Peterlee is a great place to build a business, and the impact Covid and Brexit has had on his own company.&nbsp;
Richard is also chair fo the Open North Foundation, and the Advanced Manufacturing Forum, and is hugely passionate about success of businesses in the North East.
This podcast is in association with Northumbria University's Help To Grow Management Programme. Find out more at <a href="northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow">northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow</a>

Why Small Business Matters from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University provides a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful modern SME.

Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Business Matters takes a casual but inciteful look behind the scenes with contributions from rising entrepreneurs and leaders of established small businesses that have been trading for many years.  

It will find out what gets them up in the morning, how they've navigated the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for small business in the region, the country and across the globe. 

For more info on Help To Grow visit Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow

Why Small Business Matters from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University provides a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful modern SME.
Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Business Matters takes a casual but inciteful look behind the scenes with contributions from rising entrepreneurs and leaders of established small businesses that have been trading for many years.  
It will find out what gets them up in the morning, how they've navigated the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for small business in the region, the country and across the globe. 
For more info on Help To Grow visit <a href="Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow">Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow</a>

Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management team at Northumbria University

Why Small Business Matters

Why Small Business Matters from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University provides a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful modern SME.

Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Business Matters takes a casual but insightful look behind the scenes with contributions from rising entrepreneurs and leaders of established small businesses that have been trading for many years.  

It will find out what gets them up in the morning, how they've navigated the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for small business in the region, the country and across the globe. 

For more info on Help To Grow visit Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow

Why Small Business Matters from Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University provides a platform for successful small business leaders to tell their stories, offer advice and unravel what it means to be a successful modern SME.
Brought to you by the Help to Grow Management delivery team at Northumbria University, Small Business Matters takes a casual but insightful look behind the scenes with contributions from rising entrepreneurs and leaders of established small businesses that have been trading for many years.  
It will find out what gets them up in the morning, how they've navigated the challenges of the pandemic and their vision for small business in the region, the country and across the globe. 
For more info on Help To Grow visit <a href="Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow">Northumbria.ac.uk/HelpToGrow</a>

Northumbria University

Taking Your Business Global - Richard Swart

Robson & Robson are a creative agency specialising in multidisciplinary design - elevating brands, packaging, and products. led by Dan and Joe Robson in the northeast of England, they've spent over a decade helping businesses across sectors and partnering with leading global brands.

Not only that but they're not the pressures of launching a product first hand. In 2023 they appeared on Dragons Den where they successfully received investment into their SeedCell technology from Sara Davies. In this podcast hear the long road they had to travel to get to that point, with Brexit and Covid thrown in for good measure.

This is the first part of 2 episodes with Dan & Joe, so be sure to follow Why Small Business Matters on your favourite podcast app to get the next episode!

This podcast is brought to you by the Help To Grow Management course, at Northumbria University. To find out more visit northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

Robson &amp; Robson are a creative agency specialising in multidisciplinary design - elevating brands, packaging, and products. led by Dan and Joe Robson in the northeast of England, they've spent over a decade helping businesses across sectors and partnering with leading global brands.
Not only that but they're not the pressures of launching a product first hand. In 2023 they appeared on Dragons Den where they successfully received investment into their SeedCell technology from Sara Davies. In this podcast hear the long road they had to travel to get to that point, with Brexit and Covid thrown in for good measure. This is the first part of 2 episodes with Dan &amp; Joe, so be sure to follow Why Small Business Matters on your favourite podcast app to get the next episode!
This podcast is brought to you by the Help To Grow Management course, at Northumbria University. To find out more visit northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

Into the Dragon's Den - Robson & Robson Part 2

Sowing the seeds of success - Dan & Joe Robson

In this episode we team up with Rachel Clarke of Bournemouth University Business School, and Liam Toms, and SME owner in Dorset.

Liam Toms is a communications and engagement manager at Grapevine, a company based in Dorset. He has a background in marketing and business engagement, having previously worked with Bournemouth University, where he facilitated projects connecting students with real-world business challenges. He has also been involved in alumni networking events, supporting local business communities

Employee ownership is a powerful business model that gives workers a direct stake in their company, often through shares or an employee-owned trust. This approach has several key benefits:

1. Increased Motivation & Productivity: When employees have a financial and personal investment in the company’s success, they tend to be more engaged and committed to their work.

2. Stronger Workplace Culture: Employee ownership fosters collaboration, trust, and transparency, leading to a more positive and cohesive company culture.

3. Long-Term Stability: Since employee-owned businesses aren’t as vulnerable to external investors or sudden corporate takeovers, they often demonstrate greater resilience over time.

4. Better Retention & Recruitment: Employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers shared benefits, and the model is attractive to skilled workers looking for long-term security.

5. Greater Wealth Distribution: Rather than concentrating profits among a small group of executives or shareholders, employee ownership helps distribute financial rewards more fairly across the workforce.

Companies like John Lewis Partnership in the UK have successfully implemented employee ownership, proving that this model can drive both profitability and worker satisfaction.

In this episode we team up with Rachel Clarke of Bournemouth University Business School, and Liam Toms, and SME owner in Dorset.
Liam Toms is a communications and engagement manager at Grapevine, a company based in Dorset. He has a background in marketing and business engagement, having previously worked with Bournemouth University, where he facilitated projects connecting students with real-world business challenges. He has also been involved in alumni networking events, supporting local business communities
Employee ownership is a powerful business model that gives workers a direct stake in their company, often through shares or an employee-owned trust. This approach has several key benefits:
1. Increased Motivation &amp; Productivity: When employees have a financial and personal investment in the company&rsquo;s success, they tend to be more engaged and committed to their work.
2. Stronger Workplace Culture: Employee ownership fosters collaboration, trust, and transparency, leading to a more positive and cohesive company culture.
3. Long-Term Stability: Since employee-owned businesses aren&rsquo;t as vulnerable to external investors or sudden corporate takeovers, they often demonstrate greater resilience over time.
4. Better Retention &amp; Recruitment: Employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers shared benefits, and the model is attractive to skilled workers looking for long-term security.
5. Greater Wealth Distribution: Rather than concentrating profits among a small group of executives or shareholders, employee ownership helps distribute financial rewards more fairly across the workforce.
Companies like John Lewis Partnership in the UK have successfully implemented employee ownership, proving that this model can drive both profitability and worker satisfaction.

Taking Your Business Global - Richard Swart

Why Small Business Matters

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