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Royal Dutch Shell plc award £1m contract to NE agency, PNE Group, to develop its flagship global youth enterprise programme.

PNE Group, the NewcastleGateshead based enterprise and economic development agency, has just been awarded a new £1m contract by Royal Dutch Shell plc to develop and deliver its global youth enterprise programme, Shell LiveWIRE International.

LiveWIRE, which is one of Shell International’s flagship social investment programmes, is the only international scheme of its type to encourage and support young people worldwide to start up and develop their own businesses.

PNE has managed LiveWIRE International since 1999, and this three year extension to the contract will enable further design and delivery of new ways to inspire and support the next generation of young entrepreneurs worldwide.

Under PNE’s stewardship, LiveWIRE schemes now operate in 23 countries throughout the world including; Brazil, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, Oman, Nigeria and Libya. Over five million young people have benefited from LiveWIRE programmes globally, and each new business started with the help of the programme creates, on average, three new jobs. In 2007 alone, this resulted in over 9,000 new jobs.

Sandy Ogilvie, CEO of PNE Group and Director of Shell LiveWIRE International said,

“This new contract with Shell will ensure that LiveWIRE International continues to develop innovative ways to meet the changing needs of enterprising young people across the globe, and to strengthen its role as the world’s leading youth enterprise initiative."

“I also think it’s very exciting news that Shell International are continuing to back an agency based in the North East to develop and deliver one of its flagship global social investment programmes. It’s recognition that PNE is a leading global authority on the provision of world-class enterprise support.”

Two senior Shell International managers from The Hague visited Tyneside to sign the contract.

Sandy Ogilvie (PNE) and André Smit, (Social Investment Manager, Shell International B.V.) sign on the dotted line.

 André Smit, Social Investment Manager, Shell International B.V. said,

“A thriving small business sector is the motor for all successful economies throughout the world, which is why Shell invests in the development of LiveWIRE internationally."

“Shell is delighted to sign this new contract, which builds on our successful relationship with PNE, and we expect that it will continue for many years to come.”

For further information please visit: www.shell-livewire.com or contact: Brian Butcher, Shell LiveWIRE International, on 0191 2616 009 / 07789 998912. Email brian.butcher@pne.org