WARD Hadaway has teamed up with Gateshead Business network to become the organisation's official legal partner.

The law firm, whose largest office is in Newcastle, will provide advice, assistance and support to the network and its 850 members from businesses across the borough.

A key part of Gateshead Council's business engagement strategy, Gateshead Business network supports small and medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs, providing a range of services specifically designed to encourage growth and networking.

The network delivers workshops, master classes and business breakfasts aimed at helping business owners and entrepreneurs share information, tackle problems and challenges together.

Its business to business trade portal enables members to do business with each other in the borough and the Network also delivers a series of regular e-newsletters.

In its role as official legal partner, Ward Hadaway will be attending the networking events, delivering master classes and keeping members up to date with changes in the law that may affect their business.

Paul Scope, partner in the employment law team at Ward Hadaway in Newcastle, said: "We are delighted to become the official legal partner to the Gateshead Business network.

"Ward Hadaway has a long and successful history of working with companies across the borough and helping them achieve their business goals.

"We want to be able to continue and expand that work so linking up with Gateshead Business network is the ideal way to do that."

Steven Roper, Ward Hadaway commercial solicitor said: "We work with a broad range of companies from start-up enterprises, owner-managed businesses and SMEs to high-profile plcs and nationwide companies so we see that experience as ideal for assisting Gateshead Business Network and its members.

"We look forward to working with the Network on its various activities and to helping businesses across Gateshead with a range of useful support and advice."

Paul Dowling, strategic director of development & enterprise at Gateshead Council, said: "Securing Ward Hadaway as our official legal partner is terrific news for the network and our members.

"The firm has a strong reputation across the North East for the quality of its work and we look forward to working with them to support local businesses."

Any businesses interested in finding out more about the Gateshead Business Network should contact Vince Vallely, network manager, on 0191 433 3624.