NEWCASTLE Building Society is in an elite group of companies to be recognised for a decade of investment in its workforce. It joins only three other North-East companies to have held Investors in People (IIP) accreditation for ten years. Nissan, Komatsu and Newcastle Breweries are the others. Lesley Curtis, from The Jackson Curtis Partnership, which carried out the latest assessment, said: "This is brilliant news for the Newcastle, and a very impressive achievement. The Society is one of only a few organisations locally to have achieved this significant milestone."

WEDGWOOD FAILS: Water-ford Wedgwood has failed in a late bid to stop production of a key brand belonging to UK rival Royal Doulton being switched abroad. The Irish-based luxury products group, which holds a 21 per cent stake in Royal Doulton, wanted the company to review its restructuring plans. Royal Doulton plans to transfer production of its Royal Albert brand to Indonesia and cut about 500 jobs in its home town of Stoke-on-Trent.

SAFETY prizE: Geoff Aisbitt, an HGV driver for Sunderland City Contracting Services, has been rewarded with the British Safety Council Diploma in safety management. Mr Aisbitt, from Penshaw, Houghton-le-Spring, will receive his award at a ceremony in London.

NEW BRANCH: Plumbing merchant Plumb Center have opened a branch in Malton, North Yorkshire. The branch at Seph Way, York Road Industrial Estate, supplies a comprehensive range of plumbing supplies.

INSURANCE BUY: Insurance firm Hill House Hammond has acquired Durham independent insurance intermediary Galloway Whitfield and Co. It will continue to trade under that name, with staff transferring to the new owner under the management of former managing director Alan Galloway.

CONTRACT WIN: Glass and architectural aluminium company AC Yule, which has a facility in Sunderland, has been awarded contracts worth £2m in the last month. They include a £117,000 contract to supply and install windows at the B&Q Warehouse in Washington, and a £46,000 contract for curtain walling at Seaham Spa in County Durham.