Uncategorized Archives - Page 5 of 7 - North East Local Enterprise Partnership

Production in the North East economy as measured by current Gross Value Added increased by 1.7% in 2012, just above the UK average of 1.6% according to newly-published figures from the Office of National Statistics.

However, 2012 production per head in the North East grew at twice the rate of London and the West Midlands, and was third highest amongst the English regions.

Economic growth for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership area of County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear is even more impressive. GVA per head in the North East LEP area increased by 2% – beaten only by the South East amongst all English regions.

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East LEP said:
“Since 2010, the North East LEP’s GVA per head has grown faster than England’s in each year, averaging a rate of 2.7%.

“This average is not just higher than England, but higher than any English region, suggesting that the excellent figures for 2012 are not a one-off and the North East is a great place to do business. However, total levels of production and employment remain substantially lower than the UK average, reinforcing the core message of the Adonis review that we continue to need more and better jobs in the North East.

“The LEP is playing its role helping the North East economy maintain momentum. Working with our partners, we have already created or safeguarded thousands of jobs through the North East Enterprise Zones, given support for major developments and improved access to finance for SMEs.

“The impact of this focused activity is boosting regional growth and confidence. It’s good news – but there’s still a long way to go to achieve our aims. Working collaboratively with our partners across public, private, higher and further education sectors will speed our continued growth in the years to come and help us close the employment gap. ”
Councillor Simon Henig, chair of the North East Leadership Board and Leader of Durham County Council said:
“The figures show that the North East economy is growing, and this will lead to new opportunities for local people and investors to work and live in our region. However there is still much work to do and we need to carry on working together to narrow the gaps that still exist in employment and economic vitality.”

Further information from Christine Holland, Holland PR and Marketing Ltd Tel 01670 790246 or 07711 698246.

NOTES TO EDITORS
Gross Value Added (GVA) is a measure of the increase in the value of the economy due to the production of goods and services. It is measured at current basic prices, which include the effect of inflation, excluding taxes (less subsidies) on products (for example Value Added Tax). GVA plus taxes (less subsidies) on products is equivalent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Professor Peter Fidler, vice-chancellor of the University of Sunderland, is succeeding Professor Chris Brink on the board of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership as the representative from the North East LEP area’s four universities. Professor Fidler will sit alongside business, local government and further education leaders.

Professor Fidler is vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Sunderland. A town planner by profession, his career has encompassed research and consultancy as well as academic and professional posts. He has contributed to civic and regional economic development as a member of several development bodies in the North East of England.

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East LEP said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Peter to the board. His experience and commitment to the North East’s business and university sectors will be of great value to the LEP. We would also like to thank Chris Brink for his immense contribution and wise counsel in his time as board member, which have been invaluable during the LEP’s first two years.”

Professor Fidler takes over from Professor Chris Brink, vice-chancellor of Newcastle University, who is standing down from the role as North East LEP board member at the end of his two year term.

Professor Fidler said:
“The University of Sunderland has been involved with the North East LEP from the outset, and contributed significantly to the North East Independent Economic Review. I am looking forward to being part of the decision-making body at the centre of the LEP, representing the area’s universities, in helping to put the recommendations of that review into action to create more and better jobs across the North East.”

Professor Chris Brink recommended Professor Fidler to the North East LEP as his replacement. Chris Brink said he had enjoyed his time as a board member and added: “We all believe that higher education representation adds value to the LEP in many areas, and likewise that interaction with the LEP is valuable to the universities. The North East LEP economy has four complementary universities bringing world class research expertise and many thousands of young people to the region every year.

“On subjects that universities specialise in such as innovation, high level skills or civic engagement and culture, the role of the North East LEP board has never been more important. I’m sure Peter will make a central and very influential contribution in the critical months and years ahead.”

The North East LEP board includes business leaders Jeremy Middleton of Middleton Enterprises; Dr Arnab Basu of Kromek; Michael Bellamy of PII Pipelines; Andrew Hodgson of SMD; David Land of Gestamp Tallent; Gill Southern MBE of Wessington Cryogenics, Paul Varley, and Gillian Hall of Watson Burton LLP.

They work alongside the leaders and elected mayor of the seven local authorities, Cllr Mick Henry of Gateshead, Cllr Simon Henig of Durham, Cllr Nick Forbes of Newcastle, Mayor Norma Redfearn of North Tyneside, Cllr Grant Davey of Northumberland, Cllr Iain Malcolm of South Tyneside and Cllr Paul Watson of Sunderland, as well as the representative of Further Education colleges, Anne Isherwood, principal of Sunderland College.

From 2002 until 2012 Professor Fidler was a non executive director of health authorities in England- the North of England cluster of Strategic Health Authorities, the North East Strategic Health Authority, and the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority. Professor Fidler is a founding director of the Sunderland Business Group, a board member and former chair of the National Glass Centre at Sunderland and was a non-executive director of Sunderland ARC Regeneration Company and Codeworks.

Peter Fidler is also a Trustee of the Friends of Sunderland Minster, Red House Academy, the University of Sunderland Development Trust and other University of Sunderland subsidiary companies. He is also a board member of the Sunderland Partnership Board and Sunderland’s Economic Leadership Board. He chairs the Sunderland City International Strategy Group.

Further information from Christine Holland, Holland PR & Marketing Ltd. Tel 01670 790246 or 07711 698246.

The Board responsible for a new collaborative approach to boosting economic growth in the North East, has today appointed the Chair to oversee its transition from a shadow to a statutory body.

Councillor Simon Henig will take over the role of Chair of the North East Leadership Board, following the decision made by the group of leaders and elected mayor representing the seven local authorities – County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland councils. The Board will work alongside the North East Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver an area wide approach on key strategic issues.

The appointment is made with immediate effect and Councillor Henig will formally take on the role when the statutory body is established in April 2014. The appointment will then run for two years, with the option of a two year extension.

It follows the launch, earlier this month, of the government’s formal consultation that seeks views on the proposal to create a combined authority for the North East from April 2014. Its focus will be to gain additional decision making powers and funding from government focusing on skills, transport and economic growth.

Simon Henig, Chair of the North East Leadership Board said: “As the Government has now launched the formal consultation, the board has taken the decision at the earliest point to go into shadow arrangements. This is the next stage in the journey of collaborative working. This role will oversee the transition from shadow to a statutory body which will play a part in helping to secure future prosperity for the North East.

“It is extremely important that as a region we work together for the benefit of our economy, our businesses and our residents. This is a very important opportunity and I do not underestimate the work to be done. However, by taking this approach we will be able to present a stronger argument for the investment needed to create the new transport links and jobs which we need.

“As demonstrated effectively elsewhere, it is entirely appropriate that decisions about what is right for a region are made by the people who know it best and I am therefore pleased to accept the role as Chair.”

Paul Woolston, Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership said:
“I welcome the decision to name the Chair of the North East Leadership Board, and look forward to working closely with Councillor Simon Henig. This is an important step forward in the formation of the combined authority. The new body promises to add huge value through co-ordinated decision making, promotion and delivery of public services on key issues for the North East.

“The existing strong relationships that are at the core of the North East LEP’s role linking business, education and our local authorities will be further advanced by the combined authority. Simon was the first Deputy Chair of the LEP and instrumental in its early and ongoing successes. I look forward to building on this joint working in the future.”

The Government consultation was launched on 7 November and closes on Thursday 2 January 2014, it can be found on www.gov.uk/government/consultations.

Work starts this week on the first speculative business park scheme north of the Tyne since the credit crunch, after developer the Hellens Group secured a £460,000 loan from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) North East Investment Fund.

The £2.6m West Chirton project will provide a 34,000 sq ft, 17-unit space for businesses close to the A19. The project will employ over 150 during the building phase, which is expected to be completed by June next year.
Washington-based Hellens Group turned to the North East LEP, which manages the multi-million pound Growing Places Fund as part of its North East Investment Fund, to raise the loan to begin work on the business park. It also received a £1.1m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and invested its own money into the project.

Hellens chief executive, Gavin Cordwell-Smith said: “The banks aren’t lending for speculative property building even where there is a proven case and proven demand.

“The site is land we already owned and had bought pre-credit crunch to develop. The project was stalled for five years because we couldn’t get funding. It’s a very good location close to the A19 and just north of the Tyne Tunnel, just off the Silverlink roundabout.

“The offshore and manufacturing sectors are active on the north side of the Tyne at the moment and we hope to pick up demand from businesses for accommodation.”

Work is about to start at West Chirton as Hellens, which specialises in land and property regeneration, nears completion of the Teal Farm development that was also revived via a £200,000 Growing Places Fund loan and a £680,000 ERDF grant. The £1.2m project at Washington has four units and 19,000sq ft of space, and is due to be finished at the end of January. The scheme supported more than 100 construction jobs and is expected to lead to 124 more when the units are occupied.

Mr Cordwell-Smith said: “At Teal Farm, we had built a previous terrace in 2008 and let it at the height of the recession. But you still can’t get bank finance even though the demand is there. The LEP’s help has been vital. Without it we wouldn’t be building the business parks.

“We are very grateful to the North East LEP for supporting us. These are the first two speculative developments in the North East since the credit crunch.”

The North East Investment Fund includes the Growing Places Fund which is designed to provide loans for infrastructure, housing and economic development projects that stalled during the recession and have been unable to access finance from the banks. It reinvests loans to support future schemes.

Jeremy Middleton, chair of the North East LEP’s investment panel, said: “Hellens Group’s two business park projects are precisely the kind of developments that the LEP’s North East Investment Fund was set up to support.

“Both Teal Farm and West Chirton are well-located and well-thought out developments, which will provide quality workspace for new and growing businesses in North Tyneside and in Washington. They have created jobs during the construction phases and will provide accommodation for further job creation once they are occupied.”

Further information from Christine Holland, Holland PR & Marketing Ltd. Tel 01670 790246 or 07711 698246.

Over 130 people packed into the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s first Annual General Meeting at Durham County Cricket Club’s Riverside Suite on 13 November.

Speakers included North East LEP board members Anne Isherwood, principal of SunderlandCollege, Jeremy Middleton of Middleton Enterprises and Edward Twiddy, director of the North East LEP.

Paul Woolston chaired a lively questions and answers session between the audience and a panel consisting of board members Andrew Hodgson, chief executive of SMD, Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council and Edward Twiddy. The questions focused on skills development, funding and investment for transport infrastructure, procurement policies, the importance of tourism and rural broadband.

Paul Woolston summed up the work of the North East to date as “remarkable” and said “There is much to report, much to celebrate and much still to do.”

Thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of pounds of investment have been brought to the North East LEP area through its success in attracting funding and national initiatives to underpin sustainable regional economic growth.
He added: “We have set ambitious targets and brought major funds to the region, including European Structural Funding 2014-2020, Regional Growth Funds and Growing Places Funding, the latter two of which allowed us to create the £55m North East Investment Fund.

“More and better jobs for the North East is our priority and it is heartening to see that we have already created or safeguarded thousands of jobs through the North East Enterprise Zones, support for major developments and improved access to finance for SMEs.”

The North East LEP’s first review, covering 2011-13, shows that the region’s economy is growing. Based on GVA (gross value added), the North East economy is performing better than anywhere else in England outside of London and the South East. However, the low regional employment rate means the North East LEP area is below average on GVA per head, partly due to the higher rate of public sector employment, which provides a lower GVA per head than private sector jobs.

Informed by the Adonis Review, the North East LEP’s review focuses on six key themes to fuel regional growth – making, trading, innovating, connectivity, skills and community.

Achievements and areas earmarked for action will come under the spotlight at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) first Annual General Meeting this week (Wednesday, 13 November).

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East LEP, said:
“The highlights of our first two years include the commissioning and production of the North East Independent Economic Review, led by Lord Adonis, which creates a blueprint for regional growth up to 2020.

“We have set ambitious targets and brought major funds to the region, including European Structural Funding 2014-2020, Regional Growth Funds and Growing Places Funding, the latter two of which allowed us to create the £55m North East Investment Fund.

Informed by the Adonis Review, the North East LEP’s review focuses on six key themes to fuel regional growth – making, trading, innovating, connectivity, skills and community.

Making, which includes investment funds, has seen more than £38m approved for schemes such as Newcastle’s Stephenson Quarter, via the North East Investment Fund. The fund has drawn in around £142m of additional direct economic activity and created 1,486 direct jobs. More than 400 jobs have been safeguarded and more than 2,500 indirect jobs are set to be created.

Future projects being considered include further investment in the growth of the sub-sea industry for new and renewable energy projects and the development of new trading links. Plus, the £7.5m extension of the JEREMIE fund for start-up and knowledge-based firms, agreed in June, is forecast to create 700 jobs and safeguard 400.

The North East Enterprise Zone, classified under the trading remit, has attracted £56m of private and £59.3m of public investment, created 451 jobs and led to the development of almost 16 hectares of land. The Enterprise Zone covers 10 sites on land next to the A19 and Nissan at Sunderland, the North Bank of the River Tyne and at the Port of Tyne, and land next to the Port of Blyth.

Prof Roy Sandbach was appointed to head the LEP’s innovation growth this year. The former Procter & Gamble innovation leader is developing a strategy to be published in 2014. Collaboration with the region’s universities is high on the agenda and the first innovation conference, focusing on the automotive sector, was held last month.
The North East LEP is one of three in the UK which is piloting a local skills system, designed to provide key skills that regional employers need.

The four-year Youth Contract programme running in Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberland and County Durham has won £5m of public money and £4.6m from the private sector to train around 13,000 young people and create thousands of jobs.

Connectivity is focusing on reducing transport congestion and improving internet use to boost business competitiveness. The North East LEP is also working with universities and stakeholders to develop the region as a centre for low carbon vehicles.

The community remit brings together all sections of the community to improve urban and rural job opportunities. The £3.2m Rural Growth Network is one of five in England aiming to support rural firms and create jobs. The pilot project aims to create 40 new businesses, create or safeguard 300 jobs, and provide help for 200 businesses.
Urban projects are being supported via the Public Works Loan Board, which is able to borrow up to £60m at reduced rates.

North East LEP director Edward Twiddy said:
“In its first two years, the North East LEP has made some major strides forward in its work to boost the region’s economy. We started work during the recession, and now the economy appears to be gaining sustained momentum, we are looking forward to seeing our strategies bear fruit.

“There is much still to be done, but I believe we have established a firm foundation for regional growth, based on the private and public sector working together with support from the region’s world class universities and all sectors across the North East.”

The LEP AGM is on Wednesday 13 November 9.30am-12 noon at Durham County Cricket Club.

The programme for the North East LEP’s AGM is:

9.30 Registration (refreshments will be served)
10.00 Welcome- Paul Woolston, North East LEP, Chairman
10.15 State of the North East Economy- Edward Twiddy, Director, North East LEP
10.30 Skills in North East England- Anne Isherwood, North East LEP Board Member
10.50 Update on North East Investment Fund- Jeremy Middleton, North East LEP Board Member
11.10 Panel Questions & Answers- Chair: Paul Woolston
[Panel: Cllr Simon Henig, Andrew Hodgson, Edward Twiddy]
11.50 Next Steps and Way Forward- Paul Woolston
12.00 Meeting Close & Lunch

If you would like to attend the AGM or arrange an interview in advance please get in touch with Christine Holland. Tel: 01670 790246 or 07711 698246.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership welcomes the recommendations of the Witty Report, ‘Encouraging a British Invention Revolution’, published today.

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East LEP, said: “We are extremely fortunate in the North East LEP area to have four strong, outward-looking universities. The role of universities is pivotal to local growth, and we collaborate closely with all four on strategic and innovation-driven work. They were actively involved in the Adonis Economic Review, providing evidence and research which fed into the report’s blueprint for long-term regional strategic growth.

“By working together, the North East LEP and universities are propelling new ideas which will create new businesses and new investment. The Witty Report speaks to the enthusiastic engagement between the education, business and public sectors that defines much of our work. This will grow substantively as we move forward.”

Professor Roy Sandbach, an eminent innovator with an international reputation is leading the North East LEP’s innovation programme, as part of its drive to make this part of the UK an internationally recognised centre for innovation growth. His work is closely allied to that of the universities.

Professor Sandbach said: “The need to turn our leading university inventions into wealth-creating innovation is certainly critical to the nation. And it’s clear that the Witty report reflects this need.

“But this only happens If we can effectively match the “what’s possible” from our universities with the “what’s needed” for businesses to succeed in the global innovation race. The networks and dialogue between universities, Catapults, UKTI and businesses need to be sufficiently powerful and well-structured to drive this.

Professor Chris Brink, North East LEP board member and Vice Chancellor of Newcastle University said:
“There is always more the university sector can do to support the North East Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver innovation and growth. We need to ensure the region is aligned behind a set of clear priorities which can only be achieved if we agree on our strengths, and if the university sector translates academic excellence into economic growth.”

Gillian Hall, senior partner of Watson Burton LLP law firm, has been appointed to the board of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership as one of nine business leaders who sit alongside representatives from local government, universities and colleges.

Gillian Hall was the first female senior partner of a full service law firm in the north of England when she took up her role in 2010. Watson Burton has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and London.

Paul Woolston, chair of the North East LEP, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Gillian to the board. She is a well known and respected figure in the region’s business community. We had a strong response to the recruitment campaign for a board member, with highly qualified businesspeople from around the region applying to fill the vacant post, making it a difficult task to choose from a talented field.

“Gillian’s legal and commercial expertise and the depth of her experience with businesses and organisations inside and outside the region are valuable assets, and complement the strengths offered by other board members.”

Gillian Hall said:
“As someone who has spent most of her life in the North East, I’m delighted to have been appointed to the LEP board. I look forward to being an active board member, helping to bring about the North East LEP aims of creating more and better jobs across its area, and advising on the creation of new opportunities for investment, exports and innovation.

“I’ve worked with many private and public sector organisations across the region during my career, and look forward to being directly involved in LEP decisions which will help the North East’s economy and productivity grow.”

The board includes business leaders Jeremy Middleton of Middleton Enterprises; Dr Arnab Basu of Kromek; Michael Bellamy of PII; Andrew Hodgson of SMD; David Land of Gestamp Tallent; Gill Southern MBE of Wessington Cryogenics and Paul Varley of Newcastle Falcons.

They work alongside the leaders and elected mayor of the seven local authorities involved, Cllr Mick Henry of Gateshead, who is also vice-chair of the LEP and chair of the North East Leadership Board, Cllr Simon Henig of Durham, Cllr Nick Forbes of Newcastle, Mayor Norma Redfearn of North Tyneside, Cllr Grant Davey of Northumberland, Cllr Iain Malcolm of South Tyneside and Cllr Paul Watson of Sunderland, as well as representatives from the area’s universities and further education sector Professor Chris Brink, vice-chancellor of Newcastle University and Anne Isherwood, principal of Sunderland College.

Gillian Hall, who has a first-class degree from Cambridge, has been a corporate partner with Watson Burton since 1988. She is a highly accomplished practitioner who has been praised in national legal directories as the ‘complete professional’ and ‘someone you always want to have on your team’. A farmer’s daughter, Gillian was born and brought up in North Tyneside.

Further information from Christine Holland, Holland PR & Marketing Ltd. Tel 01670 790246 or 07711 698246.

Thousands of spectators to this year’s Ashes matches at Durham will enjoy the cricket from new seating at Durham County Cricket Club, funded with a £1.2million loan from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Investment Fund.

Permanent seating for an extra 5,000 people is now in place at the cricket club, bringing the total permanent seating to 15,000. The high quality seating was put in place in a matter of weeks.

David Land, North East LEP board member, said: “The £1.2m of funding from the North East Investment Fund means that new permanent seating has been bought and installed in time for an outstanding summer at the ground. It is an important development towards the completion of the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground as a world-class stadium, confirming Durham as a first class location for international cricket.

“It’s great news that the stadium now has a full complement of top quality seats in front of the magnificent backdrop of Lumley Castle. We’re all eagerly looking forward to the Ashes’ Test match at Durham, and the other international events which have already agreed to come to Durham between now and 2016.

David Harker, chief executive of Durham County Cricket Club said:
“The new seating is central to Durham’s success in hosting international events. We’re delighted at the speed the seating has been put in place and at the difference it makes to the ground. The North East LEP’s investment fund was ideal for us, and the North East LEP moved quickly to provide strategically important funding within a tight timescale.

“We’re now ready for an exciting Ashes event from Durham, welcoming visitors from all over the world to the North East.”

David Land said:
“The £1.2million for seating is part of a larger sum the LEP agreed to make available to support further infrastructure projects at Durham County Cricket Club’s Chester-le-Street ground. We now have a superb cricket venue to host world-class events at the heart of the region, attracting global, national and local visitors to the area.”

The North East LEP’s £60 million investment fund is available for local businesses and developers looking for loan finance at competitive rates to expand their operations, build new premises or undertake housing and industrial or commercial developments.

Further information from Christine Holland, Holland PR & Marketing Ltd. Tel 01670 7790246 or 07711 698246

Category: Uncategorized

North East Economic Growth second only to South East 2012

Professor Peter Fidler joins North East LEP Board

Chair of North East Leadership Board appointed

£2.6m Investment for North Tyneside business park

North East LEP’s first AGM attracts full house

North East LEP assesses impact of first two years

Witty report response – North East LEP

NEW board member appointed to North East LEP

NE LEP funds seating for Durham Cricket in time for Ashes