IF you ask any of Brian Rudd’s drivers: "Have you had any famous people in the back your car?” you can expect to be met with stony silence.

Parkers Executive Chauffeurs, which Brian set up 12 years ago following a 25-year career in the electronics industry, prides itself on discretion. If you are hoping for celebrity tittle tattle then you are going to have to ask someone else.

“We have government ministers, celebrities, and captains of industry among our clients. But they value their privacy and our drivers respect that,” says Brian, who was born in Heworth and now lives in Whickham. “If they overhear confidential conversations they know better than to tell their friends or family.”

Brian, 63, started the business with two vehicles and now he oversees a dozen staff and fleet of ten. For major events, such as when the firm is helping to transport delegates to a conference in the region, they can call on various options.

“We can handle pretty much anything,” says Brian. “If a party requires an executive coach or a specialist vehicle then we will arrange it for them. We are dealing with high net worth individuals or corporate clients. Some of our rivals will position themselves on price, whereas we focus on being as competitive as possible, while delivering quality, discretion and reliability. It is about being able to call upon people that you can trust.

“One thing we are keen to do with visitors is to showcase the region for them to help make their trip to the North-East more memorable. Let’s be honest, I know from my own experience that wherever you are in the world, one hotel room or airport looks much like another. Too often you visit city for business without seeing much more than that. So, we will arrange to take people up to the coast or into the countryside to show what our region has to offer. I am proud of the North-East and part of our mission is to share its history and culture with people who come here.”

Brian’s decision to become his own boss followed the path of many entrepreneurs who have enjoyed success in the corporate world and can’t resist the urge to become their own boss.

“It got to the stage where I had helped to turn around a business and play a part in setting one up that went on to become a multi-million pounds operations with a client base across Europe. I wanted to have a go at running one myself, and being based in the North-East was a big factor too.

“I am now in a position to contribute to the region’s economic success and showcase our beautiful area. What could be better than that?”