more and better jobs Archives - North East Local Enterprise Partnership

By Colin Bell, Business and Sector Growth Director at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership

I don’t think it will surprise any individual or business who has searched for business support or funding when I say that the landscape can be confusing and difficult to navigate.

This is why the North East Growth Hub was created; to simplify the landscape through providing a single point of access to business support, and to offer specialist guidance in pinpointing how targeted interventions can help individuals and businesses make progress towards their vision and goals.

The North East Growth Hub, which between 2018 and 2022 directly engaged with 115,134 people and businesses, also performs an important role in coordinating the business support ecosystem. It works with 75+ partners and 300+ delivery programmes to align collective activities towards the achievement of the North East Strategic Economic Plan, and the creation of more and better jobs.

Whilst not having direct control over business support funding, the North East Growth Hub has worked with the North East LEP’s Business Growth Board, and business support delivery partners, to identify gaps in businesses’ journeys from start up to scaleup. Targeted interventions have been developed to fill these gaps, which has led to the creation of a range of services including, Scaleup North East, Supply Chain North East, High Potential Startups, the Scaleup Leaders Academy, Peer Networks and Made Smarter Adoption North East – to name a few.

The approach to partnership and coordination has also enabled the region to quickly react to and deliver targeted services and funding to support businesses through seismic economic events, such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s great therefore that the impact of the North East Growth Hub has been recognised through a recent independent evaluation, which to directly quote found that:

“Businesses that have engaged with the North East Growth Hub demonstrate tangibly higher rates of business growth than similar businesses that did not receive support, with each of employment, turnover, and labour productivity being stronger among supported beneficiaries than the control group.’’

Taking a deeper look, the study found that the 2602 business that received medium to high intensity support between 2018 and 2022 achieved higher levels of employment growth, 16% higher turnover growth, and an average £8.8k increase in turnover employee one year after engagement.

What this demonstrated is that the targeted support delivered through the North East Growth Hub works, and if scaled could have a significant impact in levelling up the region’s productivity performance.

What I’m particularly proud of is that despite facing ambiguity and cuts in funding, the team has been unwavering in their commitment to the people and businesses we serve, delivering exceptional person-centred support with passion and compassion, consistently achieving 96%+ customer satisfaction levels.

As we look to the future, it’s great that the North East has established many proven programmes and approaches – including the North East Growth Hub – that can be built on and taken to their next level.

You can access more information on the North East Growth Hub evaluation through the North East Evidence Hub.

If you’re looking for support to start, grow and improve your business then get in touch with the North East Growth Hub at www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk.

Passengers visiting Newcastle International Airport this year will be greeted with a refreshed suite of imagery celebrating why the North East is a great place to work, learn, live, visit and invest.

The advertising banners feature in prominent areas throughout Newcastle International Airport, including:

Domestic arrivals
International arrivals
All departures

Working with local partners, we’ve produced an impactful and inspiring advertising campaign that showcases images of the North East LEP area (Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Northumberland, County Durham) and highlights some of our region’s strengths – from stargazing and science to energy and events.

The advertisements are designed to encourage more businesses to locate or invest in the North East, creating more and better jobs and boosting our economy. They also aim to inspire more people to live and work in the region, and contribute to the growth of our sector strengths, which include energy, health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and digital.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We know the North East is great place to do live, work and do business. The imagery used at the airport is about showcasing our strengths to the world, and inviting people to contribute to our region’s success.

“From the innovations being developed in our digital sector, to the pioneering research and development happening in our health and life sciences sector, we highlight why there are great opportunities for businesses in our region.

“And we all know a healthy work life balance is important, which is why the imagery celebrates some of the amazing things people can see and do across the North East as well – from riding the Coast to Coast, to running the Great North Run.

Guy Currey, Director of Invest North East England, said: “In the 2021/22 financial year, our region created over 8,000 new jobs from inward investment projects, and we were the leading UK region for job creation when compared with our working-age population.

“We want to build on that success and tell our region’s story, which is why visitors to the North East will be greeted with the refreshed advertisments at Newcastle International Airport which not only demonstrate why North East England is great place to do business, but also show why North East England is a great place to call home.

“The airport advertising compliments the ongoing work that Invest North East England, the North East LEP and local authorities are doing, and encourages more businesses to become part of our region’s success story and contribute to our bright future.”

Graeme Mason, Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer at Newcastle International Airport, said: “Millions of people travel through our Airport every year, and for many we are their first introduction to the North East.

“The imagery is an amazing showcase of the talent, skills and expertise in our region, as well as the many unrivalled events and experiences people can enjoy here.

“Whether people are visiting us on business, or enjoying a holiday, this campaign is a bold reminder of why the North East is thriving destination with a huge amount to offer anyone that chooses to work, learn, live, visit or invest here.”

Eight new industrial workspace units are being created on the Hownsgill Industrial Park in Consett following investment from government’s Getting Building Fund.

When complete, the new modern employment sites at Bessemer Court are expected to create up to 100 jobs as new businesses move on to the site.

Built on the grounds of the former Consett Steelworks, Bessemer Court is already home to four fully let units. The expansion of the industrial park aims to support the creation of more SME businesses in the area, help existing SMEs to grow, and increase jobs and employment opportunities for local people.

Mike Clark, Director of Project Genesis Ltd (PGL) – the development company managing the regeneration of the former steelworks site on behalf of the Genesis Trust – said: “The ongoing redevelopment of Hownsgill Industrial Park is helping to bring new investment into Consett, create new jobs in growing sectors in the North East, and create opportunities for existing businesses in the area to expand, sustaining and growing the local economy.

“There is strong demand for new high-spec industrial units in County Durham and we expect Bessemer Court to provide a boost to the local economy as more businesses arrive on site.”

£448,000 from government’s Getting Building Fund was awarded to Project Genesis Ltd to enable essential infrastructure and remediable works to be carried out before construction of the eight new industrial workspaces could begin.

The Getting Building Fund was established early in the coronavirus pandemic to kick-start the economy, create jobs and help areas realise growth opportunities coming out of the coronavirus pandemic. The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is managing £47m awarded through the Getting Building Fund to support capital investment across the North East.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Despite wider economic challenges, we are seeing continued demand for smaller workspaces that provide the right environment for growth.

“The targeted investment from the Getting Building Fund Commercial Property Pilot scheme has helped with the construction of the new industrial units here at Bessemer Court and across the region following the coronavirus pandemic, meaning the North East is now well placed to meet the needs of businesses and support future job creation.”

Hownsgill Industrial Park has been identified as a strategic employment site and key to the continued economic growth of Consett and County Durham.

When complete, the new units at Bessemer Court are expected to create 100 new jobs and support around eight apprenticeships and training opportunities. Follow-on PGL and other private sector investment is expected to reach £1.9m.

For more information about Bessemer Court on Hownsgill Industrial Park visit youngsrps.com.

For more information about the Getting Building Fund and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, visit www.northeastlep.co.uk.

Two new state-of-the-art flexible workspace buildings are currently being built on the AirView Park development in Woolsington following a £944k investment from government’s Getting Building Fund.

Strategically located next to Newcastle International Airport, AirView Park aims to grow the number of businesses in the North East involved in international trade and attract inward investment from startups and SMEs keen to take advantage of the region’s global trade links.

When complete, the two workspaces that form part of Phase Two of the development will have the potential to support up to 100 new SMEs and provide the flexibility for businesses to expand and grow, creating more local jobs and providing a boost to the North East economy.

The £944k awarded to developer Tynexe Commercial Ltd from the Getting Building Fund ensured essential infrastructure works could be delivered during the coronavirus pandemic and construction of the new employment sites could continue.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “By responding to the changes brought about by the pandemic and creating office space that meets the needs of businesses both now and in the future, the new developments at AirView Park have already generated a lot of interest.

“By focusing Getting Building Fund investment on key strategic sites like AirView Park, the North East LEP is helping to create the right environment for businesses to grow and create more and better jobs in the region.

“The development’s location next to Newcastle International Airport also supports the North East LEP’s ambition to increase the number of North East businesses that export goods and services from 6% to 9.5% by 2030.”

One of 21 Enterprise Zones sites across the North East, AirView Park aims to create more SME businesses focussed on growing and maximising trade and inward investment between North East England and the rest of the world. It also aims to attract UK or global companies looking to build or establish a strategic northern base, as well as fully support organisations wishing to take advantage of new and existing export routes.

The North East Trade and Export strategy – published in 2021 by the North East LEP, North East England Chamber of Commerce and Department for International Trade – showed approximately 4,500 businesses in the North East region (North East LEP and Tees Valley Combined Authority areas) currently export goods and services. Businesses in the North East LEP area that currently export goods and services typically generate over £15bn of revenue from exporting each year.

One of the new buildings will provide a dedicated Business Support Hub for North East SMEs, offering a physical service centre for export expansion. All key exporting services and resources will be co-located at the Hub, creating a launch pad for businesses to begin international trade.

The second building, Denyer Court, will offer multiple leased office units or a single occupancy HQ building.

Mike Clark, Director of Tynexe Commercial Limited, developers of AirView Park, added, “We are delighted to have the full support and backing of the North East LEP as the allocated grant funding has enabled us to progress the site at pace, delivering a high quality scheme to meet market demands at a time when needed.

“We are already receiving enquiries from potential new occupiers, some operating in emerging and fast growing industries, so we are very confident that Phase Two and AirView Park will become a key site for Newcastle and the wider North East economy.”

Mark Hunt, Chief Financial Officer at Newcastle International Airport, said: “The Airport provides multiple daily connections to some of the largest airport hubs across Europe and the Middle East, seamlessly connecting businesses in the region to the rest of the world. AirView Park is a prime site that provides a lot of opportunity for growth, export links and inward investment. We are very much looking forward to the completion of the scheme and welcoming the companies that choose to locate there.

“Global trade relations are key to the continued growth of the North East, and as we begin to see a way out of the economic downturn, our export links with countries like Pakistan are very important. Collaborations and strategic partnerships linking local companies with those overseas can help deliver a stronger recovery and so Newcastle International Airport, as a gateway to international markets, very much supports discussions like this with potential trade partners.”

Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for Resilient City, Cllr Alex Hay, who has responsibility for jobs and the economy, said: “AirView Park is going to be an important generator of jobs being so close to Newcastle International Airport – the main gateway to the region.

“The construction of these two buildings will form a key part of that development and provide a further boost to the local economy once they are filled with small to medium-sized businesses, so I warmly welcome them.”

When complete, AirView Park will offer 175,000 sq ft of bespoke offices, tailor-made to suit businesses looking to relocate to more cost effective out of town premises. AirView Park is already home to the national headquarters of Bellway Homes plc.

The two new state-of-the-art flexible workspace buildings supported by the Getting Building Fund are due to be completed by the end of the year.

For more information about AirView Park visit www.airviewpark.co.uk.

Find out more about the Getting Building Fund and the other funding programmes managed by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

By Caitriona Lacy, Senior Consultant at Steer Economic Development

One of the things that really makes the North East LEP stand out as an organisation is its commitment to an evidence-led approach across its work, focusing on data, insight and evaluation.

The North East Strategic Economic Plan was developed to provide the roadmap to a more productive, inclusive, and sustainable North East economy, but with an ever-changing economic landscape both in the UK and across the world, it’s important to review and assess its impact on a regular basis.

Steer Economic Development (Steer-ED) was commissioned by the North East LEP to carry out an interim evaluation of the North East Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) to better understand how it is performing against its objectives. The project also tasked us to assess how well the North East LEP is performing in its role as champion of the SEP.

The decision to carry out an evaluation now whilst the Strategic Economic Plan is still being delivered allows the North East LEP to capture data whilst activity is happening, and to reflect on the region’s economic journey so far with the benefits of external input, ensuring the SEP is continuing to provide the correct direction of travel. A final evaluation will follow in 2025.

Over a three-year period (June 2018 and October 2021) Steer-ED worked closely with every team in the North East LEP, as well as its extensive network of stakeholders and partners. Using a mix of recognised evaluation methods – including logic model development, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and case study development – we’ve been able to present a clear picture of how the North East economy has changed since the Strategic Economic Plan was first launched in 2014, and identify the impact the SEP has made in that change.

Using a traffic light system, the interim evaluation of the North East SEP outlines its performance against six headline objectives in the interim period to the end of 2021. It shows the Plan delivering its targets on job creation and better jobs, and moving in the right direction to reduce both the employment gap and the economic activity gap.

It also highlights areas where further work is needed to meet some of the Strategic Economic Plan’s other objectives, for example, reducing the gap in GVA per hour worked between the North East LEP area and England (excl. London) which has increased.

The report goes on to look in detail at the implementation of the Strategic Economic Plan’s five programmes of delivery – business growth; innovation; investment and infrastructure, skills, employability, inclusion and progression; and transport connectivity. Using the same traffic light system, it reviews the performance of each area against a set key performance indicators. It also looks for evidence of value for money from the investments which have been made.

Another important area of the interim evaluation report is the assessment of the Strategic Added Value (SAV) the Strategic Economic Plan and the North East LEP deliver in the region. This method of evaluation is more focused on qualitative impacts and involves both the collection of data and the assessment of external commentators.

In terms of findings, it is clear that leadership, influence, synergy and engagement are all areas where the North East LEP has excelled through the delivery of the Plan. Examples of this can be seen in the North East LEP’s response to EU Exit and the coronavirus pandemic, as well as its influence on national policy, and its ability to secure funding.

On quantitative assessment, whilst there is still more work to do to complete the delivery of these programmes, our assessment of the two largest funding programmes delivered by the LEP – Local Growth Funding and Enterprise Zone programmes – to date have indicated good to very good value for money in line with national benchmarks for these programmes.

The report includes many more examples of how the North East LEP has displayed best practice, and ensured it is well placed to manage change in the economy. Indeed, one of the Strategic Added Value case studies has looked at the work the North East LEP has done with a range of partners through the North East COVID-19 Response Group to steer the region through one of the biggest economic shocks and resulting economic downturn. The evidence shows interventions supported businesses to continue trading and helped to position the region to bounce back.

Overall, the interim evaluation report of the North East Strategic Economic Plan is encouraging. It shows the region is moving in the right direction but highlights there is still work to be done. It demonstrates how important the Plan has been in the development of a cohesive and unifying voice for the region, and the benefits this brings in the response to both economic opportunities and economic shocks.

A set of recommendations at the end of the report outline how the North East LEP can prepare for the final evaluation of the Strategic Economic Plan in 2025, and ensure that data, evidence and evaluation continue to be developed and embedded across all areas of its work.

The executive summary of the interim evaluation of the North East Strategic Economic Plan can be found on the North East LEP’s Evidence Hub.

A copy of the full interim evaluation is available upon request. Please email [email protected].

The position of Chair of the North East LEP was always going to be daunting, not least with big shoes to fill following my predecessor Andrew Hodgson’s outstanding tenure.

The good news is that I step into the role at an organisation which is in excellent shape despite the best efforts of COVID-19. This is thanks to Andrew Hodgson, a strong and committed board that has a real breadth and depth of experience, and an executive team so ably led by Chief Executive, Helen Golightly.

Few people would argue that the current climate represents a time of real challenge, but as it’s been said many times before, challenge brings opportunity and I know this region thrives on adversity and making things happen.

So for me, this is a time of potential in which we have to address the severity of the situation left by COVID-19, while finding a new path forward that allows us to build a region that suits our needs and creates competitive advantage as we move into the future.

The North East LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan is a great place to start. This continues to provide us with the blueprint needed to create 100,000 more and better jobs by 2024.

The Coronavirus pandemic may have radically changed the labour market and the overall economy, meaning we have a lot further to go to reach our targets – but we have the right data and understanding to inform our decision-making and shape a more accurate narrative about the North East.

We have a plan that takes into consideration how the region has been impacted by COVID-19 and, working with government, it’s a plan which is focused on the interventions that will help the North East thrive and ensure no one is left behind.

I’m proud that the North East LEP, in collaboration with the North of Tyne and North East Combined Authorities, the CBI on behalf of business, and wider partners, launched the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group to implement a five-point plan to support the economy, build resilience and prepare for recovery. This has enabled us to help businesses stay operational, keep people in employment, collaborate to find solutions to new challenges and use our collective voice and influence with government.

Partnership working remains a key priority for the North East LEP – it is the way we will successfully secure new opportunities and find solutions to the longer-term, endemic issues facing the region.

COVID-19 may have taken us further away from the goals in the Strategic Economic Plan, but now is the time to do exactly what the North East does best.

We will go again, with ambition and determination, just as before. Please watch this video, which tells the story much better than I can. I’m inspired by it and I hope you will be too.

Blyth-based Dräger is due to begin a lucrative contract supplying the government with respiratory masks following support from three key regional organisations.

The Academic Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC), the Innovation SuperNetwork and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) worked in collaboration to provide expert guidance to help strengthen Dräger’s pitch to government to supply the NHS with respiratory protection masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was announced last month that the government has now placed a multimillion-pound order with Dräger to supply respiratory protection masks (FFP3) over the course of this year and next.

The deal will bring investment and jobs into the region as the company plans to set up a mask production operation based in Blyth, Northumberland, alongside four other production sites across the globe.

Alex Duthie, UK Sales Director, Dräger, said: “The AHSN NENC were invaluable to our bid for the PPE Government contract. They were able to get our name to the right people and assisted in building our profile as an existing and trusted supplier within the NHS. Whenever an opportunity arose, the AHSN NENC, Innovation SuperNetwork and North East LEP were advocates of ours, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

The Innovation SuperNetwork contacted Dräger earlier this year after learning they were keen to open a PPE manufacturing plant in response to the growing demand for respiratory masks during the pandemic. The Innovation SuperNetwork then introduced the local Dräger team to the AHSN NENC, which is a key member of NHS England’s regional emergency response procurement cell.

The AHSN NENC worked closely with Dräger to develop a proposal around its manufacturing plans which was pitched to the regional and national leads involved in the NHS procurement cell.

In addition, the AHSN NENC also coordinated with NHS Trusts across the region to provide samples of Dräger’s products which received positive responses from the frontline.

Stephen Lynn, Business Manager at the AHSN NENC, said: “Gaining access to the NHS can be a difficult and daunting prospect for businesses. The AHSN NENC’s close links with the healthcare system allows us to act as a conduit to help open doors and speed up the process of innovations reaching the frontline.

“We are proud to have been able to support Dräger through this process and we’re delighted that the company is now in a position to expand its PPE manufacturing operation, which will bring vital investment and job opportunities into the region.

“This is a prime example of how by working collaboratively with partners across the region, we can quickly identify, develop and support businesses with innovations that have potential to make a real impact both within the health and care system and the regional economy.”

Steph Oxley, Innovation Manager at the Innovation SuperNetwork, initially supported Dräger and made the introduction to the AHSN NENC. She said: “The successful outcome for Dräger expanding their operation, after engaging with the NHS to understand the long term need for PPE, is a fantastic example of how collaboration across the innovation ecosystem can have immediate and long-term impact for businesses, industries and the local economy. The Innovation SuperNetwork works to embed innovation in key regional clusters, connecting industry with suppliers and enabling partnerships to further innovation and business growth. It’s great to see our intervention in this case led to such a positive result for all involved.”

Alan Welby, Director of Innovation at the North East LEP, said: “This is an excellent example of what can happen with strong leadership, a focus on collaboration and a determination to make things happen.

“It is fantastic to see Dräger secure this multimillion-pound PPE deal which will create many new jobs within the region – what a fantastic outcome from the crisis caused by COVID-19.”

Dräger’s order from the British government to deliver respiratory protection masks (FFP3) will start in 2020 and will stretch until the end of 2021. The expected net sales are roughly EUR 100 million.

A mask production facility will be set up in the UK, in the Blyth area of Northumberland. There, Dräger has had a development and production site for respiratory protection technology for firefighters and industry for over 50 years. This is in addition to the existing production network in Sweden and South Africa and the recently decided new production sites in France and the US. The investment in the expansion of production capacities across all five production sites will require a mid-double-digit million euro amount in the 2020 financial year.

Tag: more and better jobs

The North East Growth Hub: levelling up the North East

Photography celebrates region at airport

Getting Building Fund supports creation of new industrial workspaces in County Durham

Getting Building Fund support sees expansion of AirView Park Enterprise Zone

Evaluating the impact of the North East Strategic Economic Plan

In conversation with Lucy Winskell OBE as she takes up her role as Chair of the Board

Regional health innovation experts help Dräger UK secure multimillion-pound PPE deal