A BYWELL-based healthcare business was among just three organisations from the sector chosen to visit China alongside Chancellor George Osborne.

Annie Barr Associates, launched in 2009 to offer consultancy and training services to healthcare professionals, was selected to take part in the Northern Powerhouse trade mission to the country last month.

Chief executive Annie Barr joined officials from councils in Manchester and Liverpool on the visit aimed at cementing the Chancellor’s committment to developing stronger links with the country.

And after securing a number of contracts in the country over the last 12 months, Annie had plenty to share with the Chancellor.

“We’ve been doing very well in China recently and he was very interested to hear about how we’ve managed to make so much progress so quickly,” said Annie, who has plans to move from South Acomb Farm to Bearl Farm to take on a bigger office space by the end of the year.

For, since January the company has secured a contract which will see the creation of a training centre for healthcare staff in Zhenjiang in a joint venture with local government.

A similar project will be launched in Bejiing with assistance of real estate investors, while in Shanghai, the company will be concentrating on an independent living development.

Now, following a sustained growth period, Annie Barr Associates has grown from a rural Tynedale business into an international force.

“I think what we’ve managed to achieve up to this point is about establishing the right connections, having plenty of perserverance and a lot of determination,” said Annie.

“The need to reform the Chinese primary care system is well documented and with people living longer, particularly for their elderly population, there is a great need for better healthcare provision,” explained Annie.

“A lot of what we are doing is consultancy work to help them see the policies and proceedures that are required to help them achieve best practice.”

Annie is also working on a fourth project, which is based around creating a film to be aired on television, giving health advice to Chinese people across Europe and mainland China.