Defence dates for the diary

THE Northern Defence Initiative (NDI) has unveiled its upcoming seminar programme to give members the chance to gear themselves up for 2001. The organisation is a non-political, not-for-profit body which exists to enable its members to win high tech profitable business within the defence industry worldwide, and the workshops are aimed to help them do just that. Change is a fact of the modern marketplace - but how do you make it work for you? is at the Royal Marine Reserve on Newcastle's quayside on January 30. And chartered accountant, Keith Robinson will be instructing members on strong financial management for growing SME's on February 27. Bill McGawley, chief executive of the NDI said: "At the NDI we aim to help our member companies do business within the defence industry and diversify outside it. One of the ways to do this is through training, and our monthly seminars are designed to help members improve business."

TOP Investor: Autocall Ltd, the Middlesbrough mobile communication service provider is celebrating after being awarded its Investors in People (IIP) accreditation. The company is one of the first in the industry to gain this prestigious accolade, with the accreditation being the result of a comprehensive personnel strategy. Director Craig Dale said: " These are very exciting times in the mobile communication industry and this is another rung climbed on the ladder of success."

Travel changes: A new travel agency has opened its doors in Stockton. Travelcare, which employs eight staff, is one of only six flagship branches in the UK, and guarantees customers a "second opinion" on their destination through its travellers Right to Know policy.