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Economic slowdown will not affect North East growth

The current economic slowdown will have “no impact whatsoever” on the ability of the North East to build further on the achievements of the past decade, according to the head of the UK’s Company of the Year.

Chris Braithwaite, chief operating officer of Wellstream International, mapped out a vision for the region that had skills and innovation at its heart, one in which the universities were ‘Civic Institutions’ and where local entrepreneurs that are “second to none”.

Mr Braithwaite made the comments during a speech at the North East Chamber of Commerce’s (NECC) annual general meeting. When questioned about the effect that the recent negative economic news would have this vision, he answered simply: “None whatsoever.”

Mr Braithwaite said: “You have to be realistic about the economic environment but it will affect you as much as you let it. The thing is to power on with what you believe in - you will have more success at the end of the day.”

Wellstream was last year voted Company of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce awards. He also paid tribute to the work of local organisations, politicians - in particular, Nick Brown MP, Minister for the North East - and the Wellstream workforce.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, had earlier announced that the ongoing success of the region had finally been recognised: “The North East really is now enjoying real economic success. Despite global issues that face us, 2007 was the year in which our success became clear for all to see and to show from every vantage point.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .