New recruits ready to make centre a Hub of success

Nicola Johnson, left, and Lindsay Capeling.

Lindsay Capeling and Nicola Johnson, both from Washington, have joined the BIC as business space administrators.

They will be based at the BIC’s newest centre, The Hub in Washington.

The Hub consists of 17 modern, air-conditioned offices with a provision for meeting space, and conference facilities.

It offers a range of help and advice to start up and established businesses, similar to that available at the main site at North Hylton.

Lindsay and Nicola will handle bookings of the meeting rooms and give potential tenants tours of the space available, as well as welcoming visitors to reception.

In her previous employment, Lindsey spent eight years as a receptionist in the very same building in Crowther Road.

She said:“I am delighted to be part of the BIC’s newest venture and can’t wait to welcome the new businesses as they move on site.

“It has been interesting to see the building develop into office space and it’s fantastic that I can be a part of it, it feels so familiar, like home from home.

“I love meeting new people and feel that this is the perfect role to continue doing that.”

After a career in HR, Nicola is also looking forward to welcoming new tenants to the Hub.

She added:“After being made redundant, I was over the moon to be appointed at the Hub.

“I was very impressed with the facilities and the warm welcome we received at the BIC. It is our aim to ensure this is replicated over here in Washington.”

The building opened last month and welcomed its first tenant in Craig Downs of marketing and PR agency Up North Communications.

Paul McEldon, chief executive of the BIC, welcomed the new staff: “The BIC is an enterprise agency and we are constantly innovating and evolving,” he said.

“It is testament to our staff and the service that we have provided for over 20 years that we now have locations in Darlington and Washington in addition to our headquarters here in Sunderland.

“I look forward to seeing Lindsay and Nicola and, indeed, the Hub develop over the coming months.”

To view the space available at any of the Business and Innovation Centre’s locations, contact senior space adviser Donna Surtees on 0191 516 6068.