The world of finance is volatile - that we can all agree on. A man who perhaps knows this better than most is Gary Fawcett, a Chartered Wealth Manager and Branch Principal at Raymond James, Monument. Gary’s interest in economic trends goes hand in hand with his desire to support people with financial advice, and it’s one of the reasons he set up his office in the first place. Gary spoke to us about the enjoyment he gets from the human side of finance, the importance of family, and how he tries not to let time escape him.

After almost 20 years in the property industry, Stuart Nickloes decided it was time to put the ‘human’ back into homebuying. He’s now the Managing Director of Bricks & Mortar, an independent estate agency in Newcastle upon Tyne that embraces the personal side of property. Stuart told us about his career leading up to Bricks & Mortar, his daily routines and what he attributes to his success.

Laura Brewis is the Founder and Project Director at We Make Culture CIC, a Sunderland-based social enterprise that is opening doors into creative industries for young people. Laura explains the growth that stems from art, music and culture, her own pathway into the industry, and how work-life balance and productivity don’t look the same for everyone.

Ivan and Nadine Hollingsworth decided to ditch the security of their office jobs and launch their own business, Centric Consultants. It paid off. Now, they are helping other businesses avoid rampant ‘culture-washing’ and build team relationships that are based on trust, kindness and psychological safety. The pair spoke to Pattern about the need for meaningful connection in the workplace, the ingredients for a sustainable work culture, and how they complement each other as business and life partners.

Kate Harland is shaping the future at one of the North East’s most iconic institutions. As a Marketing lecturer, it’s the knowledge that she gets to impact new generations each year that makes her love what she does. That, and reimagining her childhood games of playing teacher and taking registers. We spoke to Kate about her passion for academia, the rituals that help her work, and how she stays focused as an easily distracted person.

Julia Morrison has a fascination for people - what makes them tick, what holds them back, and their various ways of thinking. Her leadership coaching business, Morrison & Mann, gives her the opportunity to help leaders unpick problems and get to solutions by shifting their thinking. We spoke to Julia about her flair for helping others, how she stays grounded, and some of the sacrifices she’s made on her journey to becoming a leadership coach.

Ashleigh King is a creative entrepreneur and podcaster who runs Flamingo Heights, a creative studio specialising in podcasting. Diagnosed with ADHD in 2020, Ashleigh no longer feels like she has to make herself fit in with those around her. Instead, she’s surrounding herself with the things that make her thrive: colour, creativity, and a ‘flock’ who bring out the best in each other. She spoke to Pattern about her path to podcasting, running her own business and being completely, utterly, herself.

Meet Alexis Forsyth - senior copywriter by day, lifestyle blogger by night. For Alexis, writing for a living has always been the dream, and it’s something she’s achieved through dedication, passion, and a sprinkling of life’s twists and turns. Alexis spoke to Pattern about her varied career as a writer, how she’s showcasing the best of Newcastle through her blog Newcastle Sparkles, and the methods she has to stay focused and set boundaries.

David Stimson is a UKCP-registered therapist who has found his calling supporting children, adolescents and adults with complex trauma. The skills he has developed over the years have also led to him to work alongside leaders and organisations, providing executive coaching to help them achieve the highest level of organisational culture and well-being. We spoke to David about his fascinating profession, how he’s impacting people’s lives, and his take on self-development and making sacrifices.

Juggling six jobs probably isn’t most people’s idea of a dream career, but it certainly works for Jonny Chambers. From radio broadcasting and managing theatre shows to running his own creative agency (and more!), Jonny has gained a multitude of skills along the way. The creative entrepreneur spoke to Pattern about his less-than-standard career path and the steps he takes to manage his jam- packed schedule.

For the last 14 years, Michelle Simpson has successfully run a specialist recruitment business in the North East. Her years of experience have taught her the importance of creating meaningful relationships with customers, as well as having a team that makes work enjoyable and light-hearted. Michelle spoke to Pattern about her career in the recruitment industry and the rituals she’s adopted to strike a work-life balance.

Helped along by her flair for creativity and the support of her entrepreneurial family, Lauren Regan decided it was time to make her own mark on the North East following the pandemic. That’s why she set up MOLE - a creative consultancy helping non-profits, SMEs and entrepreneurs in the region. Lauren spoke to Pattern about her varied career path, the importance of different perspectives, and the highlights of running her own business.

Professor Katy Shaw has travelled the world, seeing all the sights before eventually returning to her home city of Newcastle upon Tyne. As AHRC Director of Creative Communities and Director of Cultural Partnerships at Northumbria University, Katy is passionate about relocating the creative industries to the North and educating the next generation. Katy spoke to Pattern about her career, travels and what ‘settling down’ looks like for her.

Paul Milner and Scott Savin, co-founders of architecture firm ALT STUDIOS, have devoted a good chunk of their lives to unconventional design. Despite some sacrifices, their paths have led them to be curious, experimental and passionate about choosing the unexpected. The pair talks to Pattern about their mission to exceed design expectations and the change they’d like to see in the world.

As the Founder and Managing Director of Mosaic Partners, a North-East-based organisational development agency, Kate Hargreaves knows that it’s the little things that make a big difference. Having worked with businesses across all industries, Kate reveals how rebalancing systems within organisations can do a whole lot of good, from boosting wellbeing to improving self-sufficiency and even having a positive impact on the planet.

Someone who has been successfully running a business since 1992 is probably well seasoned in the world of self-employment. It’s safe to say that Rob Brown, Founder and Managing Director of JUMP, is one of these people. Rob talks to Pattern about his path to business success and how he manages to find balance between long working hours, family and time with his puppies.

Arlen Pettitt has worked in policy, marketing and communications roles for more than 15 years and has recently launched the Wor Room Newsletter - a weekly digest giving a North East view on national politics and policy stories. Working in these areas has given him unparalleled opportunities to talk to communities and people from all walks of life. In his own words, Arlen reveals how human connection can lead to business success for companies and freelancers alike.

Many people have an appetite for running their own business, but do they know what true entrepreneurship really looks like? In her own words, award-winning business owner Suzie Martin shares the sacrifices you have to make and the intentions you have to set if you want to grow your own company.

The world of management consulting is not one you normally associate with delivering social impact and helping people take control of their lives. But then again, you probably haven’t met Steve Pugh, founder of Roadmap MBA. In his own words, Steve shares how he is delivering on his mission to make business education free and accessible to billions of people around the world.

A future built by teams that lack diversity is one that is scarcely worth living in, which is why it is so important that diversity and inclusion (D&I) training is top of the agenda in key industries like science, technology and engineering. Lyndsey Britton-Lee and Lynsey Harbottle set up 50:50 Future after building careers in these unchanging sectors. In their own words, they explain how their education and training initiatives are helping to break down barriers within organisations so that everyone can thrive.