BARCLAYS yesterday posted a 15 per cent rise in pre-tax profits, but part-nationalised rival Lloyds Banking Group said it was still on course for losses this year. Barclays posted a surplus of £1.37bn in the first three months of 2009, although bad debts jumped 79 per cent to £2.3bn.

HBOS owner Lloyds Banking Group said it had seen a “significant” rise in impairments due to the impact of recession on its loan book. Corporate bad debts are expected to be 50 per cent higher than last year. Barclays, which has avoided Government support so far, said BarCap’s profits had soared after it bought the investment banking business of collapsed Lehman Brothers last year.

NEW ADVERT: Newcastlebased film and commercial production company Superkrush has made an advert promoting the Great North Museum, formerly the Hancock Museum, which is opening after a £26m refurbishment. The ad will be aired on ITV Tyne Tees and Border for six months.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: The Bucking the Trend Awards, launched by the Enterprise Agency for Wear Valley and Teessdale, has had its entry deadline extended. The categories include the year’s highest achiever, most successful use of marketing, best business start-up and best e-business. The deadline is now 5pm, on June 30. For details, or to apply, log onto theenterprise agency. co.uk BEST EMPLOYER: Businessto- business express delivery company TNT, which has bases in the region at Durham Tees Valley Airport and in Rainton, Tyne and Wear, has been named among the best employers in the UK. The Britain’s Top Employers 2009 study, names TNT alongside companies including Pret A Manger, McDonald’s and IBM.

AGENCY APPOINTMENTS: Five board members from the region’s two development agencies have been reappointed.

One North East will see Paul Callaghan, Ruth Thompson and Councillor Peter Jackson take up another three year term. Yorkshire Forward’s Professor Michael Arthur has been appointed for a further two years, and Councillor John Weighell for another three years.

GREEN AWARD: Jeff Roberts, head of environmental services for GVA Grimley, has been awarded the highest level of professional qualification available to environmental practitioners – the Chartered Environmentalist. It means Mr Roberts has demonstrated the utmost commitment to sustainable environmental management and development.