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It’s well known that when you get people talking – really talking, in healthy and well-informed debate – words lead to action.

Our latest BQ Live debate at Ramside Hall in Durham had more than 70 people representing many sectors of the North East economy taking part. Our rapporteur, Caroline Theobald of Bridge Club, kept everyone focused, ensuring that the event resulted in a clearly defined set of recommendations for supporting the regional economy that we are now taking forward to One North East, the Minister for the North East and Westminster.

BQ Live already has the backing of Nick Brown, Minister for the North East, and we have every expectation that the good work of the BQ Live participants will reap real results. We’ve also talked this quarter to a veritable who’s who of North East business people, each of whom are making their own mark on the region’s landscape. Perhaps the most literal embodiment of this is Sir Terry Farrell, whose Newcastle masterplans are re-shaping the city and its wider environs, and whose breathtaking Great North Museum has recently re-opened to wide acclaim from experts and general public alike.

The product of a Newcastle council estate whose work on landmark projects worldwide has made him a world leader in his field, he tells us that he credits his former art teacher with encouraging his career aspirations. In similar vein, others may credit Lorna Moran with inspiring their entrepreneurial aspirations through Leadership Enterprise Opportunity – a new development programme she has launched through her own NRG Group and which we explore within these pages. Talking of young entrepreneuers, we also feature Joanna Feeley, whose Trend Bible forecasts future trends relied upon by businesses worldwide, and the three young entrepreneurs, all of them under 30, who are growing their business Logistix through sheer entrepreneurial skill.

We’ve also got RTC North’s Gordon Ollivere on the region’s bid to improve product design, a glimpse of Steve Gibson’s much talked-about £50m Rockliffe Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, the sparkle of Richard Sinton Jewellers, and beer and fishcakes with Keith Armstrong of Kitchenware Records (Prefab Sprout, Lighthouse Family, Editors). Tanya Garland has kindly fallen off the wagon to test the wine for us, and Duncan Weir takes the Lexus 450H out for an eco-friendly spin.Thanks to all of them for taking the time to work with us, and to you for reading.

Do send your contributions, ideas and pearls of wisdom to editor@bq-magazine.co.uk and, if you see us out and about, tell us what you’re doing; you may just find yourself in print.