Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a recent graduate from Newcastle University, where I studied Modern Languages (French and Spanish) and Management Studies for four years. 

I spent the summer enjoying my final moments as a student before starting work here at The North East Regional Portal in the middle of August 2006.

I love living in Newcastle and plan to spend quite a bit more time here before thinking about what I plan to do next.

What is your role at The North East Regional Portal? (TNERP)

Providing project and administrative support for the business, my job is really varied which is great because keeps things interesting.

We have just launched Catalyst 2, an ICT funding project for small business in the North East. The project is offering assistance to 650 businesses by means of workshops, support and advice as well as the funding itself. 

I’m also involved with the Network Newcastle Project which offers six months free broadband to small businesses based in Newcastle. 

A lot of the project work includes responding to enquiries, tracking the status of applications, and keeping databases up to date.

Outside the projects, I also provide some financial support such as dealing with invoices, purchase orders, and anything else that the Portal team need a hand with!

What does your average day comprise?

It’s quite an early start to beat the traffic into Gateshead, and once I’m here there are a few routine jobs that need doing such as sorting the mail, replying to emails and maintaining the Catalyst database. 

From then on my days are always varied and there is usually something different to be doing every day.

Why do you enjoy working and living in the North East?

I really enjoy the city life in Newcastle, it got great shops, restaurants and bars, theatres and galleries – and it’s not too far away from the countryside either. 

People say how friendly people from the North East are as well.

What is your dream or ambition?

My long term ambition is to work spent some time working and travelling in Spain. 

I enjoy learning and speaking the language and would love the opportunity to travel around the different regions to discover a bit more about the country.

It’s something I can definitely see myself doing in the future.

What is your greatest achievement?

So far, it would have to be my year abroad in my third year of University. 

I spent the first semester living and studying in Pau, in the south of France, and the second semester doing the same (plus a little more sunbathing…) in the south of Spain, in Cadiz.

It was an amazing challenge that I have really grown from – I would recommend it to anyone!

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

I enjoy listening to music, reading and going swimming regularly; it’s a good way of exercising everything without really feeling like you are!

I love going out and socialising with my friends and Newcastle is such a great place to discover new and fun places to go out.

Relevant links

More staff profiles

More about the Regional Portal

Catalyst 2 

Network Newcastle Project 

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