Newcastle strategy and creative agency Do Gooder has secured loan investment from the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme.
The undisclosed loan into the female-founded agency spearheaded by Beth Hazon and Nic Quinn will be used to hire new staff and develop data insight tools.
It is the first investment by the programme, which is a new partnership between trade body Creative UK and the North of Tyne Combined Authority, offering financial and business support to cultural and creative industries in North Tyneside, Northumberland and Newcastle.
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Beth Hazon, managing director at Do Gooder, which works with the RNLI, Atom, Trend Bible and Privacy International, said: “Working with the Creative UK team has been a joy. Through their support, we’re able to accelerate our impact by building a team, and therefore our reach, in helping brands avoid being cancelled.
"Our work in strategy and creative sets brands free of the fear of getting it wrong. What we do is more important than ever for the progressive change making businesses we work with, and Creative UK’s investment has been instrumental in our growth.”
Rahul Misra , investment manager for the North of Tyne at Creative UK , said: “We are delighted to announce Do Gooder as the first recipients of loan investment from the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme.
"Beth and Nic are strong advocates for the power of creativity to influence positive change in our society. It was a pleasure working with them through the investment process and we look forward to seeing the impact of their work grow, enhancing their offer to clients in the North East and beyond. ”
North of Tyne cabinet member for culture creative and rural Coun Glen Sanderson, the leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “Investing in flourishing creative businesses such as Do Gooder is crucial to revitalising the North of Tyne area, which is precisely why the Culture & Creative Investment Programme is such an important priority for us.
“Do Gooder is a brilliant example of an innovative North East business that will offer a service across the North of Tyne, making an impact not only here but nationally as well as promoting local talent to a far reaching audience.”
The North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme is investing over £2m on behalf of the North of Tyne Combined Authority through loan and equity financing. Providing loans of between £50,000-£150,000 and equity finance in the range of £50,000-100,000 per investment.
