In conversation with Ammar Mirza CBE, current David Goldman Visiting Professor for Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University and North East LEP Business Support Board member

“Lights, Camera, Action!” A phrase that is synonymous with just getting on with it, and of course movies. Whilst I didn’t expect the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NE LEP) to make movies – although I am sure there are some dashing characters – I was anticipating a whole load of action.

Personally I like to be action orientated and sometimes just dive straight in. However, what I have learned over the years is that the planning stage is just as important as the action or doing stage. And if you don’t get the planning stage right then you will never make the delivery successful. The planning becomes even more important when you have limited delivery resource available, which is absolutely the case with the North East LEP.

So when given the opportunity to become a proud and active member of the Business Support Board, joining likeminded people with shed loads of experience and expertise – but more importantly enthusiasm and commitment ready to give up their own time to make the region a better place – I didn’t hesitate.

Being a board member enables me to get a better understanding of the regional enterprise eco-system and help contribute to shaping the local economy. It has taken a little while to fully appreciate how much planning and coordinating has taken already place, but let me assure you there now is a robust and clear plan on what the North East LEP, acting as an enabler, will help deliver and more importantly what it isn’t here to do.

Now when people ask me what the North East LEP has been doing up until now, I can confidently say that a plan has been developed with a whole host of stakeholders and partners. We have a comprehensive and clear delivery plan that aims to effect better communication, collaboration and critically celebration, of our great North East.

With the launch of the exciting North East Growth Hub we will start to see a whole host of additional linked activities that will truly help transform the economic landscape with an ultimate ambition to create more and better jobs.

So watch this space to hear how the plan is being executed, especially under the stewardship of the incredible Bob Paton. And, I love it when a plan comes together! Now where were those cameras…

By Ammar Mirza CBE

Ammar Mirza CBE is the current David Goldman Visiting Professor for Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University and holds several other posts across the Private, Public, and Third Sectors.