Jane Reynolds, from North-East Finance, keen to support Tees Valley businesses

JANE Reynolds once spent her winters navigating heavy snow showers on the M62.

Years later, she's now plotting an entirely different path, helping to drive business investment in the Tees Valley.

As Tees Valley Business Manager for North-East Finance, Jane is a point of help for companies across the area, making them aware of the potential funding at their disposal to provide growth and expansion.

Those opportunities include the £125m Finance for Business North-East programme, which is managed by North-East Finance and has already committed more than £75m to companies.

The scheme, launched in 2010, has provided debt and equity funding to more than 500 small and medium-sized businesses, securing about 2,500 jobs.

Working with firms, business support organisations and the fund managers responsible for investing the money, the programme was set up with funding from the European Regional Development Fund and European Investment Bank.

And after working for a training and consultancy firm that took her from Glasgow to Manchester, and the perils of crossing the pennines' wintry grasp, Jane, who is also chairwoman of the Tees Valley Business Club, says she is thoroughly enjoying her new role.

She said: “It is all about raising the awareness of funding in the Tees Valley, making sure that people have the chance to understand what is out there, talk to individuals, and start building relationships.

“It is so much easier for people when they know there is someone who they can talk to.

“It can be a confusing landscape, people are always reading about various pots of money that are out there, but are sometimes not sure how to connect to them.

“In the past, there were more grants that were available to businesses who knew how to access them and would apply for them the following year, but that has changed.

“It is all about pointing people in the right direction of the most appropriate funding for their business at the stage.”

The programme has already providing financial boosts to a number of companies across the bio-technology, engineering and renewable energy sectors, including a £200,000 investment in Tees Valley manufacturer Xena Systems and £100,000 in waste company Solvert.

It has also helped Newcastle-based biotechnology firm Glythera receive £700,000 from its technology fund, which the company will use to develop a new generation of biological therapeutics for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jane, who previously worked for Nstar Finance and Business, says the scheme is paying real dividends, and will benefit the wider business community as it grows.

She said: “A lot of businesses reach a certain level, but if they have the right advice and funding, they can continue growing and that helps the supply chain.

“We are seeing people who now know where to come to get these opportunities because they have heard of the success stories.”

Jane, who holds monthly Tees Valley Business Club meetings and clinics for businesses to hear about finance opportunities, also sits on the North-East Shadow Monetary Committee.

She praised Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England, for his move to cap interest rates until UK unemployment levels drop.

She said: “He has come in and done something different and it comes as confidence in businesses in beginning to come back.

“People are now speaking more confidently than they have in previous years.”

Favourite North-East building and why? The Tees Valley Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough.

It’s symbolic of the industrial heritage which bought wealth to this region and a reminder of the entrepreneurial spirit which is still endemic in the Tees Valley region.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? A Saturday job at the local library. I was paid so little that I can’t remember, but I did get a chance to read the new arrivals before anyone else.

What is the worst job you've had? No specific job, but I become very frustrated when I work in an environment that stifles individuality and creative spirit.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? My signature dish, which is pan fried sea bass. It's simple but perfectly executed, even if I say so myself.

What would your superpower be? To create more hours in the day.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party. Stephen Fry, Michael Winner, Betty Davis and Ben Benanke.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much? Crystal glassware. A genetic trait passed on from my mother.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? I follow Tees Valley Unlimited to keep up to date with the work they are doing in this region, and to see the tremendous support they get from local business.

Favourite book? Diary of A Nobody, by George and Weedon Grossmith When did you last cry? I seldom have cause to shed a tear but almost did so at Frankel’s last race at Ascot last year.

What is your greatest achievement? I hope my greatest achievement is still to come but to date I am very proud of achieving a great work/life balance, thanks to a supportive family in a fantastic part of the world.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? The strongest tree bends in the wind.

Favourite animal and why? The snail. It's pretty self sufficient in every way.

Most famous person on your mobile phone? Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England. I wish he could give me some useful inside information before I make my next vote on the Shadow Monetary Policy Committee!

What was the last band you saw live? The Rolling Stones.

Describe your perfect night in. Dinner with my husband and friends on a Friday night with the rest of the weekend stretching ahead.

In another life I would be... Jane Reynolds. I like it just how it is.

Who would play you in a film of your life? It would have to be Joanna Lumley. Not because she is like me, but because I would like to be her.

What irritates you? Bad table manners.

What's your secret talent? That would be telling.