Former scuba instructor dives into setting up his own business

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A 29-year-old Newcastle entrepreneur who has worked all over the world including a spell as a diving instructor in Thailand has come back to his roots to set up an innovative co-working space business.

Hamish Rutherford has launched Floe to provide a range of inexpensive, flexible co-working in engaging/ creative underutilised locations around Newcastle.

Floes first spaces are in the heart of Newcastle. Horticulture is the first location on the top floor of the beautiful bar/ restaurant Horticulture, which has engagement 10 desks. The second space opening very soon is Dance City, where there are eight desks as well as meeting rooms and a board room available to hire on a flexible basis.

He said: “Since the pandemic there has been a huge change in how, and where, people want to work. In my research before setting up Floe I found a real gap in the market for great quality working space which really matches everyone’s diversity. I was also interested in why there was some a reluctance to return to offices and what I could offer to change that mindset.

“My business gives people a chance to enjoy three distinct types of working environment to suit your requirements. Engagement spaces are designed to promote collaboration, with music played and a relaxed welcoming atmosphere. Focus spaces aim to engage the user in a Flow state where productivity is at its highest. There is no background music, no phone calls are taken in the space, creating a quiet and calming environment. Incubation spaces are the largest of the spaces that provide facilities for every task: hot desks, meeting rooms, phone booths and private offices.

The Floe space is already proving popular with a range of people including entrepreneurs, students and freelancers. Roland Glancey, founder, Peek Home said: “We went along to a Floe Work session at Horticulture to have a directors meeting / brainstorm session for a couple of hours. We knew that we wanted to get away from our desks but we generally find working out of cafes to be tricky as we feel like we’re squatting. Floe Work at Horticulture was perfect!

“The thing that really stood out for me was the atmosphere, unlike many co-working spaces there was a really lively vibe with background music, great surroundings (lots of plants!) and the general hubbub of the restaurant prepping for the evening dinner service, plus we could get teas and coffees delivered to our table.”

As well as the space itself Hamish is placing great emphasis on creating a sense of community so everyone who works at a Floe desk is supported with their well-being, just as they would be in a large organisation.

Floe is a member of North East England Chamber of Commerce, Lynsey Fairless, Chamber relationship manager said: “We are delighted to have Hamish’s business in our membership and support its growth.  The emphasis on the well-being of people using Floe is also very much in keeping with our approach which encourages everyone to look after their mental health in particular.”

At Floe they understand life is unpredictable, therefore the prices are flexible to fit around you. Either pay as you go, purchase non-expiring credits or set up rolling contract. Costs range from hot desks at £20 per day to hourly booking of £3 per hour.

In December Hamish is recruiting his first member of staff who will be responsible for growing the Floe community, brand loyalty and customer engagement.

More information is available on www.Floework.com

Everflow’s fast track to triumph

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Josh Gill, CEO of the Everflow Group, has been named the Chamber’s Entrepreneur of the Year.

Based in Middlesbrough his business has two companies – Everflow Tech and Everflow Water: Everflow Water is an independent water retailer, and Everflow Tech designs and creates software for use in the water retail market.

It’s no surprise he won this award as the business, which was only set up in 2015, was ranked 3rd in the Financial Times’ FT 1000, the paper’s annual list of the fastest growing businesses in Europe. 

Everflow was also recently been named an ‘Outstanding’ company to work for by b.co.uk in the Best Companies to Work For survey and receives similarly glowing praise from staff in a regular employee survey.

The company intends to have an impact on the Teesside community, and describes its goals as making Teesside “synonymous with an innovative tech landscape, a place people want to come to work in the digital sector”.   Creating jobs for the local area is what motivates him to develop and grow his business, rather than, as he puts it, the primary mission being purely to make money.

Josh Gill said: “I’m delighted to win the award recognising, not my individual efforts, but those of the incredible team of people we have at Everflow. A team who recognises that having a laugh is just as important as hard work. I love coming to work every day alongside them”

Jim Fraser, from Durham University, the Entrepreneur of the Year sponsor said: “Josh Gill is the embodiment of sustainable entrepreneurship that focuses not only on the outward expressions of the business but also nurtures the resiliency, support, and learning environment of his own staff and company. His leadership style shows he clearly engages with novel and meaningful ways of both learning and improving the company.”

Everflow’s unique model means that software from Everflow Tech can be tested with Everflow Water.  It is also open-access, allowing other companies to use it, for the benefit of everyone in the water sector. Their clients are primarily small and medium sized businesses across England and Scotland.

Former young jockey’s high street app success

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A young Darlington entrepreneur who swapped a jockey’s life and numerous broken bones to launch a business supporting local High Streets is expanding and creating new jobs. 

Twenty-four-year old Andy Bartlett, who jumped for world-class racehorse trainer Alan Swinbank, set up the Roam Local app two years ago due to his experience of riding in towns and cities where he didn’t know the best places to visit, shop, eat and drink.  

He said: “I saw that there was a real need for a single source of information that would help people discover the hidden retail gems and perfect venues in places new to them quickly.  The High Street’s recent struggles also meant there was a great cause to support as well. The app is really a digital High Street at people’s fingertips.” 

The Roam Local app helps businesses market themselves to, and retain, customers and allows visitors to navigate towns and cities like a local, wherever they are.  

One of the first places Andy Bartlett’s app was adopted was by businesses in Grange Road in Darlington.  He is also working with Stockton BID and similar BID initiatives in Yorkshire. From these initial clients Roam Local has now expanded to cover 500 businesses in the North East with further national expansion plans.  He has also already created four jobs with many mor in the pipeline. 

Andy Bartlett said: “My aim is to champion and support the independent high-street businesses that underpin local economies, help sustain local communities and bring businesses and consumers together to support each other.” 

As well as the promotional advantages Roam Local can also be used to support safety for people out and about in towns and cities as their movements can be tracked by their friends on the app if they become separated. 

Roam Local is a member of North East England Chamber of Commerce which has produced a report on how to regenerate the High Street and highlighted the advantages of promoting independent retailers so each area has a distinct personality. 

Alison Preston, Chamber relationship manager said: “We are delighted to be able to support Andy’s business through our network of contacts.  He is a fantastic example of young entrepreneurship and I’m sure he will achieve even more success in the coming months.”