After nearly 18 months of study and examinations I was confirmed as having satisfied the requirements of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and admitted as a Chartered Director.

With Northcliffe up for sale and advertising revenues showing no signs of a recovery, could the future for the regional press really be Local? When Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) announced the sale of its regional newspaper division – Northcliffe – last week, many observers commented on the likely outcome of the sale. Speculation of who the new owners would be was rife.

Great news from the Institute of Directors (IoD), today I found out that I have passed the Diploma in Company Direction exam after 8 months of sutdy on the IoD’s Company Direction Programme. This clears the way for me to apply to become a Chartered Director.

In addition to appearing in Arena magazine in February, I was also featured in Arena’s February 2005 supplement – Start Your Own Business – which featured companies, ideas, and advice that could make starting your own business less stressful.

I was featured in the February 2005 edition of Arena Magazine as an entrant in the annual Arena O2 X Club Awards. I was later shortlisted for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award and attended the Awards Ceremony in London. It was close, but sadly, no cigar. Dinner and my mug-shot in my favourite magazine was a win though.

Coverage in the Leeds Chamber of Commerce magazine of my entry into the O2 X Club Awards and shortlisting for the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

My appointment as a non-Executive Director of Leeds Media is featured on the back page of the Winter 2004 Bulletin.

Last month I got to sit down and talk to Growing Business magazine about how Chapter Eight started life, how the business is growing, what it’s like doing business in Leeds, and what our plans are for the future.