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Strong line up set to join the North East LEP Board

Three new members have been appointed to the Board of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) bringing expertise from automotive, finance, and health and life sciences.

Alan Johnson, Vice President and Managing Director of Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK), Sunderland Plant, Sam Whitehouse, Executive Chairman and former CEO of High Force Research Ltd, and Emily Cox MBE, Group Ambassador for the North and Group Head of Colleague Relations & Policy at Lloyds Banking Group join the Board, replacing outgoing members, Gillian Hall, Kate Medcalf and Erika Leadbeater.

Alan Johnson
Emily Cox MBE

Sam Whitehouse

Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair of the North East LEP, said: “Our Board members support the North East LEP’s work of bringing more and better jobs into the North East economy and they also have the important role of representing the voice of businesses, ensuring that North East business’s views are heard on a regional and national scale.

“Emily, Alan and Sam bring with them exceptional skills and knowledge which will be invaluable to the North East LEP as we build a brighter, more sustainable future for our region.”

Alan Johnson has been with Nissan since 1991, when he joined as a graduate engineer. He has since worked with Nissan in Spain, Russia and France, and is now based in Sunderland, overseeing the operation of one of Europe’s most productive car plants.

“The North East has a global reach when it comes to advanced manufacturing and this gives us a solid base on which to build an even stronger regional economy,” commented Alan. “I’m looking forward to getting started in my new role as a member of the North East LEP board and helping to make our region the best place to live, work and invest,” he added.

Sam Whitehouse brings with him extensive experience in health and life sciences and is currently Executive Chairman at High Force Research, a chemical R&D specialist which manufactures advanced pharmaceutical ingredients. 

“Health and life sciences is a sector which presents huge opportunities for the North East and I’m excited to be able to help maximise these. I’ll be acting as an ambassador for our region and working with the North East LEP team and partners to achieve our goals of doubling the number of jobs and the number of businesses operating in this fast-growing area by 2030,” said Sam.

Currently Group Head of Colleague Relations and Policy as well as Group Ambassador for the North at Lloyds Banking Group, and the Chair of Gentoo in Sunderland, Emily Cox MBE, said: “The business community here in the North East is innovative, collaborative and ambitious and I’m looking forward to working with the executive team and my fellow board members to help create more opportunities to grow the regional economy in an inclusive way, ultimately creating more and better jobs for our residents.”

The three new Board members join senior leaders from the private, public, education and voluntary and community sectors, chaired by Lucy Winskell, OBE.

The Board supports the North East LEP’s revised role, which is to represent the business voice; collaborating and engaging with, listening to and feeding business views into national and regional policy and investment decision-making.

The North East LEP also leads strategic economic planning by taking the regional lead to develop and coordinate research and economic evidence around the North East economy to inform regional strategy and decision-making.

“Driving the growth of the North East economy, and influencing regional and national decision-making, is something we achieve by working in partnership. Ensuring our Board has people like Emily, Alan and Sam present, who have extensive knowledge of doing business here, helps make the voice of businesses central to everything we do,” added Lucy Winskell OBE. 

Find more information about the North East LEP’s Boards here.

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North East LEP welcomes new members to the Board

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) has announced the appointment of two new Board members.

Colin Hewitt and Phil Redman will join the Board as non-executive directors as the North East LEP moves forward with a refreshed role and a continued commitment to create more and better jobs.

Colin Hewitt is the Senior Partner of Ward Hadaway LLP. He is a lawyer of some 40 years standing and his expertise covers both commercial and public sector work. 

Phil Redman is Area Director of Mott MacDonald. He brings with him a wealth of business experience and a deep passion for the North East. 

Colin Hewitt, Senior Partner of Ward Hadaway LLP, said: “I am delighted to join the LEP Board. This is an incredibly important time in the economic development of the North East as businesses face both challenges and opportunities. I look forward to supporting the LEP in its role as a proud ambassador for the North East business community as it continues its mission to create more and better jobs for the region.”

Phil Redman, Area Director of Mott MacDonald, said: “The North East is a region of endless possibilities. As a North East LEP Board member, I am eager to put my knowledge, experience, and skills to work in supporting the continued development of our region. These are exciting times and I look forward to offering my support to realise the opportunities in front of us.”

Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair of the North East LEP, said: “Both Colin and Phil are highly-respected business leaders with a strong connection to the North East and a deep understanding of our economy. They are incredibly motivated and driven to make our area an even better place to live, work and stay. We are confident our new board members will play a significant role in our mission to create more and better jobs, so everyone has the chance to thrive. We are delighted to welcome Colin and Phil to the team.”

The Board will support the North East LEP’s revised role, which is to represent the business voice; collaborating and engaging with, listening to and feeding business views into national and regional policy and investment decision making.

The North East LEP will lead strategic economic planning by taking the regional lead to develop and coordinate research and economic evidence around the North East economy to inform regional strategy and decision making.

The North East LEP will also:

  • Improve skills – working to ensuring North East residents of all ages have the opportunity to develop skills that match the opportunities in the labour market
  • Grow businesses – supporting businesses to start, grow and thrive and to create an environment where they can learn from each other to create more and better jobs
  • Manage funds – continuing to manage the region’s Enterprise Zone funding and other funding streams already secured by us to invest in strategic projects which will grow the regional economy

Lucy Winskell continued: “It is an exciting time to join the North East LEP Board as regional governance is set to change and we are committed to ensuring the voice of business is central to that.”

Learn more about the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Board members here.

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Review of region’s economic progress and business support published

In a year when COVID-19 hit the global economy, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) has released an overview of its support for businesses and the region’s progress towards creating 100,000 more and better jobs. 

The North East LEP Annual Review for 2020/21 includes details of the North East COVID-19 Recovery and Renewal Deal; the North East LEP’s partnership with Crowdfunder UK to support small businesses; and the Challenge North East programme, which helped businesses to develop solutions to some of the most pressing issues the region is facing as a result of the pandemic.

Helen Golightly OBE, Chief Executive of the North East LEP, said: “Innate to our wonderful region is a sense that – whatever happens – we can and will go again and it is this drive and determination that has overwhelmingly dominated our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Good communication – listening and learning – has helped us and our partners work collaboratively for the good of the region. While there is still much to do, and our focus and resolve will continue, it is right to take stock of this, mark the moment and feel proud.”

During 2020/21, the North East LEP came together with North East Combined Authority, North of Tyne Combined Authority, CBI, Newcastle University on behalf of the region’s universities, the voluntary sector and trade unions to form the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group. In September 2020, the group published the Recovery and Renewal Deal for the North East which asks government for £2.8 billion investment to unlock half of the 100,000 more jobs required to support the North East to build back stronger after the pandemic.

The North East LEP Annual Review also details the success of the partnership with Crowdfunder UK which saw the public join forces with the North East LEP to safeguard 128 businesses and more than 400 jobs.

And the business community used its strengths in innovation to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19, with more than 60 SMEs putting forward ideas as part of Challenge North East. The programme is providing funding and support for businesses to develop solutions to problems including making in-person events safe again, and helping organisations which carry out work in people’s homes. £125,000 has now been awarded for seven of the most promising solutions to be brought to market.

Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair of the North East LEP, said: “Despite the challenges we have all faced, it’s clear that the region has pulled together to support each other and move towards recovery.

The team at the North East LEP, along with our many partners, has continued its work to help businesses and communities thrive in our region. From our work with schools and colleges, where we aim to make sure that every child and young person receives the best possible careers guidance, through to our programmes of support for the region’s industries of the future, I am heartened to see that we’re still making strong progress towards achieving our aim of bringing 100,000 more and better jobs to our region by 2024.”

The North East LEP Annual Review is available to read here.

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Our Economy 2020 paints a mixed picture of the North East economy’s performance  

Today, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has published the latest edition of Our Economy, an annual publication which examines the performance of the North East economy and how it is changing over time.

This year’s report has also looked in more depth at how the economy varies across different geographic areas within the region.

Victoria Sutherland, Senior Economist at the North East LEP, explains: “This year, Our Economy is being published at a time of immense change and it provides a baseline showing the performance of the North East economy before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year’s report provides data and evidence that we and our partners can use to position the North East for recovery, as we work to bring more and better jobs to our region.”

Each year, Our Economy reviews the North East’s performance across a range of indicators. This is the third year that Our Economy has been published and this year’s report paints a mixed picture of the region’s economic performance.

Our Economy shows that the gap between the North East and the rest of England, excluding London, has widened on a number of indicators, including the value of the goods and services produced per head, employment rate and productivity rate.

In contrast, areas of progress include increasing expenditure on R&D by businesses, increasing proportion of our population qualified to degree-level and above, increased employment in science, research, engineering and technology roles, improved access to superfast broadband and 4G, and increased public expenditure on transport.

The evidence provided by Our Economy is used to inform the work of the North East LEP and partners across the region in delivering the North East Strategic Economic Plan – the roadmap for increasing economic growth in the North East.

Victoria Sutherland added: “What we can see in the report suggests that, even before COVID-19 began to impact the North East, there was a need to do more to grow and develop our economy. 

“Going forward, the focus of our efforts must be to ensure that every part of our region is able to contribute to and benefit from efforts to improve the performance of our economy.”

Our Economy is available to download on the North East Data Hub website and a short video summarising the findings can be viewed here.

ENDS

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North East Local Enterprise Partnership publishes its Annual Review 2019-2020

Tribute paid to its ‘exceptional’ team and the resilience of the North East’s business community.

The Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Helen Golightly, has paid tribute to the LEP’s ‘exceptional’ team and spoken about how the region’s inbuilt resilience and strong community will see it through the coronavirus crisis, in its Annual Review, published today.

Referencing the annual government review of all Local Enterprise Partnerships, which resulted in the North East LEP being marked exceptional for its delivery, Golightly said: “This demonstrates our strong leadership and solid implementation to ensure that our strategic projects are delivered to make the maximum impact to boost economic development and create more and better jobs.”

The Annual Review 2019-2020 sets out the progress that has been made against the six targets in the Strategic Economic Plan, in relation to the number, quality and type of employment opportunities available, the proportion of the workforce that is in employment and economically active, and productivity.

The two headline targets are to increase the number of jobs between 2014-2024 by 100,000 and for 70% of these jobs to be ‘better jobs’.

While COVID-19 has since made these targets more difficult to achieve, by December 2019 total employment had increased by 57,000. Employment in ‘better jobs’ had increased by 70,400.

Other key achievements in the last twelve months have included the North East Growth Hub becoming a critical resource for North East businesses, offering support on the EU Exit and how to best mitigate the impact of coronavirus. The launch of a second Good Career Guidance Benchmarks pilot has also taken place in the North East LEP region, this time focusing on primary schools.

The government announced in March 2020 that the North East will be at the centre of investment in innovation, while a highlight within the North East LEP’s transport programme has been the region collectively securing £198m from the Transforming Cities Fund to invest in key sustainable transport projects.

Speaking about the challenges currently being faced by businesses, North East LEP Chief Executive Helen Golightly said: “These may be truly uncertain and turbulent times but rest assured, we continue to support businesses and communities.

“This region is not frightened of a challenge and I am confident that our inbuilt resilience and strong community identity will carry us through to the recovery when we will do everything we possibly can to ensure our regional economy is back to pre-COVID-19 levels – and stronger again.”

Click here to read the North East LEP’s Annual Review 2019-2020.

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North East LEP seeks new Chair for its Board

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is seeking a high profile and influential business person with a connection to the North East as the next Chair of its Board.

The current chair, Andrew Hodgson OBE, plans to step down as soon as a replacement chair is recruited.  Andrew has spent nine years on the Board, working tirelessly on behalf of the region.

The Non-Executive Director position is being advertised nationally and comes with significant public profile, responsibility and accountability to the North East community.

The high-profile business leader will need to demonstrate a clear understanding of the economic challenges faced.

The North East LEP is one of 38 LEPs in the country and sets the economic agenda for the region to promote and develop economic growth across the North East. Its geographic patch covers the local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Heidi Mottram, Vice Chair of the North East LEP’s Board and the CEO of Northumbrian Water, said: “Andrew has been a superb Chair since he was appointed in 2016 and has truly been committed to making our area an even better place to live and work.

“During Andrew’s time as Chair we have become respected nationally as one of the leading and most effective LEPs in the country. On behalf of the Board and wider LEP community and partners, I’d like to offer our thanks for his service and wish him success in his next challenge.

“However, Andrew’s departure creates an exciting opportunity for someone equally experienced, well-connected, dynamic and committed to the region to help us achieve our ambitions for the future. We need someone who is prepared to be a visible and an active cheerleader for the North East across the region, the Northern Powerhouse area and the UK – and if that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you so please do get in touch.”

More information on the role can be found here.

To apply please send your CV and a statement, of no more than two pages, to the North East LEP’s Chief Executive Officer, Helen Golightly at [email protected] . Your statement should include:

  • How you would contribute to the delivery of the North East Strategic Economic Plan and in turn, support the region’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19
  • Examples of how you have influenced strategic decision making
  • Any skills/experience/achievements that may be useful for the role and any particular areas of interest you have.

This vacancy is now closed (as of 12 noon, Monday 8 June 2020).

 

ENDS

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North East Local Enterprise Partnership reaction to ONS regional labour market statistics – January 2020

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP), has commented on today’s regional labour market statistics, released by the Office for National Statistics.

The data covers both the North East LEP and Tees Valley LEP areas and is for the August to October 2019 quarter.

In addition, Annual Population Survey data for the period October 2018 to September 2019 has also been released.  This dataset is available at the LEP-level and is used to measure progress against four of the North East LEP’s targets.

Senior Economist, Victoria Sutherland said, “Today’s labour market statistics show a mixed picture.

“Looking first at the regional labour market statistics, this shows that there has been a small decline in the number of people employed across the North East region over the last three months, with 2,000 fewer people in work in September to November than between June to August.”

“Over the same period, unemployment increased by 5,000, whilst the number of people that are outside the labour market – those who are not actively seeking work for a wide range of reasons, including full-time study, looking after family and home, disability and ill-health, and retirement – has decreased by 3,000.

“As we have previously highlighted, the last year has been characterised by a high degree of fluctuation with labour market conditions improving in some quarters and deteriorating in others. This fluctuation has been observed in all regions and nations of the UK, but the North East appears to have been particularly hard hit with the largest increase in unemployment rate over the last year. The North East is also one of only three English regions to have seen a decrease in its employment rate for 16 to 64-year olds.

“Looking at longer term trends, the North East LEP set itself a target of increasing the number of jobs in its area by 100,000 between 2014 and 2024, and for 70% of jobs created to be ‘better jobs’, defined as managerial, professional and technical roles. Today’s data covers the period October 2018 to September 2019 and shows that the number of jobs in the North East has increased by 73,100 since our baseline of April 2013 to March 2014. The increase in managerial, professional and technical roles has been 73,900 – meaning that all of the jobs growth has been in these ‘better jobs’ whilst there has been a small decrease in other jobs areas such as administrative and retail. There has been particularly strong growth in managerial, professional and technical jobs over the last year, with an increase of 24,500.

“The North East LEP will continue to work with its partners to deliver more and better jobs for the region through the Strategic Economic Plan. We will work to secure commitment from the new government to unlock investment to allow the region to create new opportunities for businesses and residents.”

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North East LEP appoints three new members to its Board

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) has announced three new appointments to its Board.

Founder and MD for Fusion PR Creative, John McCabe, and TSG Marine Operations Director, Erika Leadbeater, replace outgoing Board members David Land and Farooq Hakim. Carol Botten, Chief Executive of VONNE (Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East) also joins the North East LEP Board to ensure the region’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) is better represented.

Andrew Hodgson, Chair of the North East LEP said: “As well as playing an active role in helping deliver the North East Strategic Economic Plan, our Board represents the views and opinions of the North East’s public, private, education and VCSE sectors.

“They help ensure we work in the best interest of the region and deliver our aim of creating 100,000 more and better jobs by 2024.

“On behalf of everyone at the North East LEP, I’d like to welcome Erika, Carol and John to the Board. They are all hugely respected in their fields and their contribution to our work in growing the North East economy will be invaluable.”

John McCabe is the current chair of Gateshead College and immediate past president of the North East England Chamber of Commerce. He has held senior positions at some of the North East’s largest organisations and launched strategic communications agency, Fusion, in 2013.

John said: “I hope my experience of working in and with businesses large and small, of setting up my own business and of negotiating at the highest levels of government will be of value to colleagues across the North East LEP and to the wider region.

“The new government has made a number of eye-catching commitments to our region and the North East LEP will have a key role to play in ensuring these are met, enabling economic growth and ensuring more people in the North East can achieve their full potential.

“The North East LEP has an exciting agenda and I’m really looking forward to playing my part in its delivery.”

Erika Leadbeater is Operations Director at South Tyneside-based TSG Marine, which delivers marine access services to the offshore energy sector. Erika began her career as a private practice solicitor specialising in shipping and the carriage of goods before joining TSG Marine in 2013. Erika is an advocate for small businesses and a member of the UK Government’s SME Advisory Board.

Erika said: “I know from experience that the North East is a great place to live and work. In fact, when our business was getting started, we chose to base ourselves in the region due to its strategic location, the skills of local people and the support for small businesses. I am honoured to be joining the team at the North East LEP to support the great work being undertaken to grow the economy, create jobs and promote the region.”

Carol Botten has been CEO of VONNE since September 2018 following four years as Deputy CEO. With almost 25 years’ experience in the voluntary and community sector, Carol is passionate about supporting the sector’s leadership and governance capabilities and developing new programmes and projects to increase organisations’ sustainability and resilience.

She is a member of the North East Skills Advisory Panel, as well as a member of Northern Powergrid’s Social Issues Expert Group and Stakeholder Panel, the North East Brexit Group and the Cabinet Office’s National Leadership programme.

Carol said: “I am delighted to have been selected to represent the VCSE sector on the North East Local Enterprise Partnership Board.

“I have worked closely with the organisation for a number of years as a member of the Skills Advisory Panel and on recent refreshes of the North East Strategic Economic Plan, so I have a strong understanding of the LEP, its role and key strategies for the region.

“I look forward to developing that relationship further and advocating for the role that VCSE organisations have to play in the economic development of the region and to encourage an inclusive approach, to ensure all communities and individuals can benefit from economic development activities.”

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) is a public, private and education sector partnership that works with businesses, partners and stakeholders in the region to deliver the North East Strategic Economic Plan, growing a more productive, inclusive and sustainable regional economy.

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North East Local Enterprise Partnership reaction to ONS regional labour market statistics – December 2019

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), has commented on today’s regional labour market statistics, released by the Office for National Statistics.

The data covers both the North East LEP and Tees Valley LEP areas and is for the August to October 2019 quarter.

Senior Economist, Victoria Sutherland said, “Today’s labour market statistics for the North East region are a disappointing end to the year.

“The number of people in employment has declined by 10,000 compared to the previous quarter and by 14,000 over the year.

“Looking at the decline over the quarter in more detail, it’s notable that this decline has been driven by fewer men in employment – with 16,000 fewer in work – whilst the number of women in work has increased by 6,000.

“Unemployment has increased by 15,000 over the last three months and by 9,000 over the year. The unemployment rate is now 6.1% and is the highest of all UK regions.

“2019 has been characterised by slower employment growth across the whole of the UK than in previous years and by fluctuation and variation across the country. The North East has been affected by the uncertainty in the economy.”

Commenting on the statistics, Andrew Hodgson, Chair of the North East LEP, said: “2020 will be a key year for the North East. The North East LEP will continue to work with its partners to deliver more and better jobs for the region through the Strategic Economic Plan. We will work to secure commitment from the new government to unlock investment to allow the region to create new opportunities for businesses and residents.”