Recognition helps Institute of Directors organise football talk

Graham writes........

Recognition was delighted to help the Institute of Directors organise a members event in Houghton Le Spring. Members in County Durham and Sunderland have heard an inspirational insight into the life and work of one of the North East’s leading football bosses.

Margaret Byrne, chief executive of Sunderland AFC, addressed a lunch event of business leaders at the Evolve Business Centre, Rainton Bridge.

 

Northern Ireland-born Ms Byrne talked about her life as a solicitor prior to joining the Premier League outfit as Club Secretary, a position in which she was involved in a range of activities, including player negotiations.

 

And she described the day club’ owner Ellis Short asked her to take on the position of Chief Executive as the best day of her life, closely followed by being appointed to the FA Council. The challenges clubs face under new Financial Fair Play legislation and the diversification of the club into areas such as event management and concerts, as well the commercial links with overseas markets, also formed a part of an insightful talk on management of a top flight club.

 

I am the chairman of the local Institute of Directors committee and I thought that Margaret’s talk was hugely inspirational for members and guests, who were enthralled by her story and ambitions for Sunderland Football Club.

The links between football and the wider community, including business, are increasingly important and the economic contribution made by clubs is huge, and we are very grateful that Margaret took time to attend the event.

Linked In site connects Recognition PR

Recognition PR has become the new owner of the North East England Business Network on the popular social media site LinkedIn.

The network has over 3,500 members from businesses and organisations around the North East and is used to exchange information and experience to help make running a business easier.

The North East England Business Network was established by Steve Affleck in 2009 and has grown to become a valuable resource to its members. Steve decided to transfer ownership because he is relocating to another part of the UK but wanted to ensure the ethos and purpose of the network was maintained.

Recognition is one of the North East’s largest PR firms, representing high-profile clients including The Bannatyne Group, The Priory Group, Bristol Street Motors and Black Sheep Brewery. The firm also operates a video and audio production arm, producing web videos and web TV programmes from its studios in Darlington.

Steve Affleck said: “Recognition acquired the group after a process of evaluation bids from new owners. LinkedIn does not allow groups to be ‘sold’ so the bids were evaluated on the best approach to maintaining the original purpose of the group. Recognition’s extensive business network and high level participation in respected business organisations made the firm a logical choice to take the group forward.”

Graham Robb, owner of Recognition PR, is also a member of the North East board of the Institute of Directors and the Entrepreneur’s Forum, two organisations which subscribe to the philosophy of the North East England Business Network and will subsequently be able to post information about their own activities and events.

Graham Robb said: “Recognition has been at the heart of the North East business community for years and taking ownership of this LinkedIn group will enable the firm to maintain the group’s philosophy, grow its membership and reach out to a widely network of connected business users. By sharing the facility with other interested groups we will ensure it becomes a ‘must use’ resource for people in business.”