High flyer, Paul secures vital support from local engineering company

Fran Cormican and Paul Stephenson from Eston, Middlesbrough

Aspiring Pilot, Paul Stephenson from Eston, Middlesbrough, has received vital funding from Middlesbrough-based engineering company, Intelect, to help him towards achieving his dream of becoming a Commercial Airline Pilot.

Earlier in the year, Paul, a former award-winning RAF Air Cadet, was offered the opportunity of a life time - a partial scholarship to complete his Air Transport Pilot License in Dundee, Scotland.

Despite the partial scholarship removing some of the financial burden that Paul would face, financial circumstances in his personal life meant he would still struggle to find the remaining funds to cover the cost of his exams and other expenses.

Not wanting to give up on his dream, Paul’s grit and determination shone through, and he took the chance and moved to Scotland, where he began his training with premier flying school, Tayside Aviation.

Knowing how much flying meant to him, while he was away, Paul’s family and friends began drumming up support to help him through his qualifications, with some of them even completing the Yorkshire Three Peak Challenge as a way of fundraising.

After hearing about his successful achievements with the RAF Cadets on the radio earlier in the year, where he received the ‘Flying Excellence Award’, and seeing that his family and friends were trying to raise funds to help him, Managing Director of Intelect, Fran Cormican, reached out to Paul.

“As soon as I heard that Paul was in need of support, I instantly wanted to help him. His passion and determination about flying comes across in everything that he does, and I firmly believe that his financial situation shouldn’t hinder his ability to do what he loves” said Fran.

Intelect’s £1,000 sponsorship will contribute towards the payment of 14 compulsory exams that Paul has to sit, and pass, in order to achieve his license. Each exam comes at a cost of £73 and must be sat in London at three separate intervals throughout the first-year of his three-year course.

Speaking to Paul about his journey, he said, “Since the age of 13, all I have ever wanted to do is become a Pilot. The RAF Cadets have played a huge part in my development as a person, and in my Pilot career, and I cannot thank them enough for the opportunities they have given me – I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

“The continuous support of my family, friends, the RAF Cadets and now local businesses makes me even more determined to achieve my dream, and it’s now becoming a reality before my eyes with the help of Tayside Aviation.”

“Intelect’s support has lifted a huge financial burden off my shoulders, allowing me to focus solely on passing my exams. Never in my life did I expect this to happen to me, and I will be eternally grateful to everyone who has helped get me to where I am today” he continued.

"Since the age of 13, all I have ever wanted to do is become a Pilot."

Triumph for Intelect at the North East Business Awards Grand Final

Intelect were celebrating last month, after triumphing at the Grand Final of the North East Business Awards 2019, being crowned overall winner of the ‘Apprenticeship Award’.

The event took place at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, and saw over 600 members of the regions business community gathered together to celebrate a successful year of business in the North East.

The night was a culmination of three regional heats, which took place in the months leading up to the event, where the winner of each of the three heats was sent through to the final.

Intelect were one of only two Teesside businesses to be crowned winners on the night, with fellow Middlesbrough based business, UK Pods taking home two trophies, ‘Newcomer of the Year’, and the ‘Services Award’.

Judges from the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personal Development) were impressed with Intelect, when they heard how much time and investment they had committed to apprentices over the last 20 years.

Intelect triumphed the likes of well-known companies, Hays Travel and EGGER Ltd, both of whom have exceptional apprenticeship programmes.

Managing Director, Fran Cormican and Director, John Thompson were there to accept the award on the evening, and were thrilled to be recognised for their dedication to apprenticeships.

After accepting the award, Fran Cormican said, “Apprenticeships have been at the heart of our business since 1997, and continue to be to this day.

“Our ethos, ‘train to retain’ has allowed us to effectively grow our own workforce over the past 20 years, and our apprentices have brought a wealth of diversity and innovation to our business” he continued.

Other winners on the night included, Beamish, Living Museum of the North, The Wheel Company and Tharsus Group, who were crowned Company of the Year.

Our 20th anniversary a birthday to remember

This year Intelect celebrates 20 years in business, are named amongst the North Easts Fastest 50 companies in 2017 and are leading the field in our disciplines with a turnover in excess of £20 million per year.

To say that we’re proud of our staff and their achievements is an understatement, so on Saturday 14^th October 2017, we came together as a company to celebrate our 20th birthday.

The venue was The HUB at Teesside Universities student union bar, with musical accompaniment by The Last Anthem band, casino tables and a hot and cold buffet.

The evening was hosted by directors, Fran Cormican and John Thompson, who commenced preceedings by thanking everyone for attending, followed by a review of how Intelect began, their growth and expansion, concluding with their hopes and targets for the business going forward.

Tom Blakemore receives the Charlie Baker Apprentice Award

The Charlie Baker Apprentice Award is given in memory of a well loved and successful member of our team, who sadly passed away in 2014. The award, which was voted for by the directors, was presented to Tom Blakemore by Janet Baker (Charlie’s wife), in recognition of the work ethic he has demonstrated throughout his apprenticeship at Intelect.

A special thanks

In recognition of their support the directors gave out flowers to their wives. Miranda and Lyndsey were thanked for organising the event and last but not least Hazel Hewitson (Accounting Manager) was recognised for “being their rock” throughout the 20 years, since Intelect’s formation.