Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 33
6.
really interesting story. I made £21 in
three hours and was given a chocolate
muffin and McDonald’s breakfast! We
donated the money to a local charity
and gave the food to a local homeless
hostel. But it highlighted a problem
which still exists today, so it was
worthwhile.
12.
13.
14.
8.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What do you do?
I run Mantis Media, a PR and
publishing company. We represent
a number of clients on Aycliffe
Business Park and publish the Aycliffe
Today Business and Tees Business
magazines.
Who have you worked
for in the past?
Teesside Gazette (news reporter,
1998-2000), Middlesbrough Football
Club (publications officer, 2000-05) and
Sunderland AFC (media & PR officer,
2005-09).
What was the best part of your job?
Helping businesses to increase their
awareness in the local and regional
media. Also, by promoting Aycliffe
firms in the media, it intrinsically
promotes Aycliffe Business Park, which
I’m really passionate about.
Was there anything about your job
that you really didn’t like?
Chasing invoices.
Favourite thing about working on
Aycliffe Business Park?
Getting around the park and meeting/
dealing with several of its tenants. I’ve
also gained many new friends over the
last three/four years.
Which company/individual on the
park do you do the most work with?
The Finley family. John Finley has been
a huge support and influence on me
and the success of my business over
the last four-to-five years, which I’m
always grateful for. I also work very
closely with Rachel Townsend Green
and her team at Thrive Marketing.
Rachel has also been an important
mentor for me over the last couple of
years.
15.
7.
8.
9.
15.
Who’s your tip for future success?
Sarah Carlton at KINSHIP, who designs
our publications. She always offers a
professional service with a smile and
nothing is ever a problem. Great to
work with and highly recommended!
Four famous people you’d love to
have round for dinner and why?
Two would have to be Steph and
Dom Parker, the “Posh Couple” from
Channel 4’s Gogglebox. I think they’re
hilarious and would be fantastic
company. Tom Hanks would be there,
he never does a bad film and I think
he’d have some interesting stories. The
pop legend Billy Ocean (see question
15), to provide the entertainment; and
finally I’d have Sir Alan Sugar, only so I
can lean across the table and point at
him “you’re fired!”.
If you could do something else in
business, what would it be?
I probably couldn’t do much else!
Journalism and publishing has always
been a huge passion for me from my
school days, I can’t imagine me ever
doing anything else.
16.
17.
11.
Bob Mortimer. He’s very funny and I’ve
always liked Reeves and Mortimer as a
double act.
Have you ever done anything really
daring?
I once begged on the streets of
Stockton, as part of a feature for
the Teesside Gazette. I sat for three
hours on Stockton high street with a
‘homeless and hungry’ sign in front of
me. It was about how some beggars
are professional at what they do and
make money from unsuspecting
people, especially pensioners. It was
a humbling experience and made a
If money was no object, what would
be your ideal car?
Probably an Aston Martin Vanquish.
Money no object, your dream
holiday would be?
I’d like to go to Australia one day to see
relatives in Brisbane, but take three-tofour weeks and see other parts of the
country as well.
Do you have a favourite band
or type of music?
I’ve been a big fan of Billy Ocean for
years and have seen him perform
twice. I even got to meet him last
summer back stage in Leeds, which
ticked one off the bucket list. He’s a
lovely guy as well as a pop legend.
Victoria Cartwright from Aycliffe
firm Lox of Love is also a big fan of
Billy... I’m sure she won’t mind me
mentioning.
What is your greatest achievement?
Starting a business from scratch and
building it, slowly but surely, with the
addition of two business publications
which are now thriving.
How would you best describe
yourself in four words?
Passionate. Hard-working. Loyal. Fair.
18. Where do you see yourself
10. Who’s your favourite Tweeter?
What’s th H