Minister to be shown Durham’s innovative approach that will deliver the spirit of the Northern Powerhouse by becoming a hub for companies integrating materials into game-changing products that transform lives Durham County Council (“DCC”) and its economic development company Business Durham, welcome Jake Berry MP, the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth Minister, on his first official visit to County Durham. They look forward to showcasing the successful investment made in regenerating large parts of Durham City in partnership with the private sector. They will also showcase the innovative steps taken at its North East Technology Park (NETPark) whose aim is to become a hub for companies that are focused on making game-changing products that transform lives. “We are pleased to welcome the Minister on his first official visit to our county. Durham is a vibrant and dynamic destination that has seen its business landscape change in the past few years, with global corporations such as Hitachi Rail Europe establishing and expanding their operations. We also have a proven track record in providing the right climate for groundbreaking small businesses that are at the forefront of innovation across the space and light industries” said Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council. “We welcome the opportunity to discuss how the Minister and the government will continue to support us in this important work ensuring we can play our full part within their Northern Powerhouse vision.”
Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, and Sarah Slaven, Interim Managing Director of Business Durham, look forward to meeting the Minister and sharing with him how they are delivering on their vision of making County Durham a natural partner of choice for businesses that want to grow. Highlights of their presentation to the Minister include: • How DCC works in partnership with the private sector – using its covenant, land and spending power – to offer pragmatic solutions for businesses, such as derisking the building of the Freemans Reach project which resulted in the safeguarding of 1,200 jobs at National Savings and Investments Ltd and HM Passport Office
• Showcasing the Milburngate House redevelopment, which is expected to provide the opportunity for c. £160 million of inward investment, and lead to the creation of more than 1,000 full-time jobs and 650 construction jobs
• How Business Durham facilitated the location of Atom Bank, the UK’s latest full service bank, at Aykley Heads, and then purchased Salvus House in Aykley Heads as a space for startups
• The establishment of NETPark as an internationally acclaimed location for science and technology companies, which provides a dynamic and supportive environment to accelerate the growth of ambitious, innovative high tech companies into global markets
• How DCC is working in partnership with Durham University as it embarks on plans that will see significant investment in teaching and research infrastructure in Durham over the next 10 years
In addition to the above, the Minister will hear how Business Durham has built a track record of providing tangible solutions and innovatively using its resources, such as the setting up of a £20m investment fund and NETPark, and nurturing the Durham Smart County project, an open innovation programme placing societal challenges at the heart of the County’s sector development strategy with a particular focus on Health and Space. Sarah Slaven, Interim Managing Director of Business Durham, said: “We have approximately 12,000 businesses in the County and the largest industrial estate in the North East. This has not happened by accident. We have been innovative in our approach and used our funds, the North East LEP Local Growth Fund and collaborated with the private sector. We are also the only Council in the North East to create our own VC fund. I hope the Minister recognises our achievements to date and buys into our vision that by DCC SHOWCASE INVESTMENTS 2025 we will become a hub for companies that develop game-changing products that transform our lives.” Helen Golightly, Executive Director of the North East LEP, commented: “In our Strategic Economic Plan, we set out our ambition to create 100,000 more and better jobs in the North East economy by 2024. Mr Berry’s visit is a fantastic opportunity to show, in practical terms, how this is being achieved through investment and focus on activities that will help businesses grow. “We recognised that NETPark has huge potential to create and accelerate innovative businesses. We have invested over £15m in the Park for facilities and infrastructure and look forward to seeing tenants flourishing and contributing to our region’s growth. The North East is committed to being a key contributor to the Northern Powerhouse and rebalancing the UK economy, and we are pleased to welcome Mr Berry to demonstrate this.”
