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Arrow Case Studies

Arrow supports North East businesses through research-led collaboration, helping them innovate, grow and adapt. Below are just a few examples of what can be achieved.

Case study highlights

Explore how we’ve partnered with businesses across the North East to support innovation, growth, and positive impact through the Arrow programme.


Little Buildings Live: digital transformation and inclusive growth

Sector: Creative industries | Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Little Buildings Live is a grassroots music venue in Ouseburn. Through Arrow, Professor Natalia Yannopoulou and researcher Justin Souter helped the team explore new digital opportunities and inclusive access.

The project tested VR live-streaming of gigs. They used puppet personas to better understand how to engage neurodivergent audiences and those with physical impairments. The work combined academic insight with the CEO's creative vision. It strengthened the venue’s brand and international reach.

“I was beyond blown away by the outputs of the project.” — Allan Scorer, CEO

Close-up of a microphone on a stand with colourful blurred stage lights in the background.

Blu Sky Tax: leadership development for scale-up growth

Sector: Professional services | Location: North Shields and London

Blu Sky Tax is an innovative accountancy firm. They used Arrow to refine and relaunch ‘Business Builder’—their in-house leadership programme.

Working with a Newcastle University academic, the team identified the programme’s unique selling points beyond finance. These included company culture, values, and growth strategy. External input helped them take a fresh look at the product’s potential.

“We now think differently about not just the product, but our business as a whole.” — Dave Gibson, CEO

Person using a calculator and filling out financial forms at a desk, with a focus on hands.

Nuvo Wellbeing: community health through digital innovation

Sector: Health and wellbeing | Location: Tees Valley and North East

Nuvo Wellbeing wanted to explore taking their community fitness and wellbeing classes online. Through Arrow, they partnered with Newcastle University Business School. They carried out primary research and tested the idea with focus groups.

The insight helped shape their online membership portal, Wellbeing Bubble. The portal reinvests profits into local communities. The early research also helped them adapt quickly during COVID-19 lockdowns, maintaining services and jobs.

“Due to the work we had done with Arrow we were able to move quickly. It helped us break even and keep staff employed.” — Bethany Ainsley, Chair

Man and woman in sportswear doing a seated side stretch while following an online workout on a laptop.