FEATURE
The write stuff – Martin Walker ( left ) and Dave Allan have big plans for Tees Business owner Resolution .
Tees Business creators promise more events , publications and jobs
A New Year
Dave Allan and Martin Walker , directors of Resolution Media and Publishing , talk to PETER BARRON about overcoming the challenges of the pandemic – and look ahead with confidence to 2022
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60 | Tees Business s they sit together in the boardroom of their smart new offices , a short walk from Middlesbrough ’ s iconic Transporter Bridge , Dave Allan and Martin Walker can afford a sigh of relief at having successfully navigated the troubled waters of the pandemic .
Like countless other business leaders worldwide , they feared for the future when Covid-19 struck in the spring of 2020 – and it certainly hasn ’ t all been plain-sailing .
But not only did their business , Resolution Media and Publishing , survive the biggest public health crisis in a generation , the company has emerged stronger than ever .
The facts speak for themselves : turnover up more than 50 per cent ; new publications launched ; an expanded events programme ; more jobs created ; a move to bigger offices ; and the core product – Tees Business – has cemented its position as the one of the best-known brands among the region ’ s business community .
“ It really was a frightening time when the first lockdown was announced ,” admits Dave . “ But we dug in , adapted , and we have to be happy with the way the business has grown .”
Named after one of local hero Captain Cook ’ s vessels on which he achieved famed voyages of discovery , Resolution can now look ahead confidently to 2022 , with ambitious plans for more publications , more events and more jobs .
And that ’ s a justifiable source of pride for the friends and business partners who met while working together at Middlesbrough Football Club more than 20 years ago .
Dave had joined the club as programme editor and press officer in 1994 during its final year at Ayresome Park , going on to become media manager , while former Gazette journalist Martin joined the club ’ s media team in 2000 .
After their careers went in different directions , they launched their own public relations agencies and , in early 2012 , Martin set up the Aycliffe Today website , followed by a glossy magazine of the same name . He took the magazine to Dave , suggested that the model could work well on Teesside , and Tees Business was born .
“ We spent time speaking to contacts about whether there was a need for a business magazine on Teesside , and the clear answer was ‘ yes ’. The so-called North-East business media was very Tyneside-centric , so there was a big gap in the market .”
The first issue of Tees Business was published in 2015 and , for the first two years , Dave and Martin did everything – writing , photography , sales and distribution – working round the clock to make it work .
“ There were times when we questioned whether it was all worth it ,” admits Dave . “ But we were always convinced about its potential .”
After laying those solid foundations , the growth curve became steeper . The Tees Businesswomen Awards were launched in 2018 , and Wear Business magazine was added to the company portfolio at the end of 2019 .
Just as it was all going so well ,