Industry Figure Steve Underwood Sets up New NABS Committee to Support North-East Adlanders

NABS, the charity for advertising and media, is boosting its provision for Newcastle’s industry professionals with the creation of a new north-east committee. 

Steve Underwood, managing director of Bonded and formerly managing partner at Dentsu, has founded the committee in partnership with Kate Harris, regional director, NABS.  

Steve says: “I’ve admired NABS’ great work for a while and, like NABS, I place a demonstrable value on mental health and wellbeing for our industry. We’ve got a thriving scene up here; we may be relatively small in size, but that enables us to be closely knit. We’ve already got five of the region’s leading agencies on board as part of the committee.” 

The initiative builds on Steve’s previous work to boost wellbeing in the industry. He organised events for the mental health movement Red January in which he motivated nearly 200 creative agency workers to come together for a steps challenge through the 2021 lockdown as well as January of this year. 

Steve says: “People working at all levels in creative agencies have shared how much our group challenge helped them. People came together for support at a difficult time and they formed lasting connections. I would like to build on the community we’ve created; teaming up with NABS is the natural next step.” 

NABS’ north-east committee will run fundraising events throughout the year, all proceeds of which will go towards NABS’ vital work to support the industry. A quarter of all calls to NABS’ Advice Line now relate

 to mental health. Overall demand for its services has risen by 23% since the pandemic against the backdrop of a £1.75m drop in its income.  

The committee will also raise awareness of NABS’ services among the region’s industry employees.  

Steve said: “We held our first event in May that attracted around 70 people – a great start. Our next event is planned for November and we’ll be looking to hold a range of inclusive events that everyone in our community can enjoy.” 

Kate Harris said: “Steve’s passion for mental health and connections across the NE industry community make him a natural leader for our new committee. NABS is continually looking for more ways to support adlanders across the country and I’m looking forward to seeing Steve

mobilise our north-east colleagues to get involved in our work – whether that’s by donating time or money or accessing one of our many support services.”