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North East Networks: James Ramsbotham tells bdaily about the NECC

The view from James Ramsbothams’ window is magnificent, overlooking the rolling hills of the surrounding countryside, and the towering spires of Durham Cathedral beyond.

For a man so passionate about the region, I cannot imagine a more appropriate location than this for him to carry out his position as chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce.

The first North East Chamber was set up in 1815, and since then it purpose has changed little.

“It was established to help international trade and gradually grew into an organization which helped businesses come together to make things happen,” says James.

“Eventually in 1994 the numerous Chambers around the region realized that to be efficient, they needed to work together, and in 1995, the Teesside, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland Chambers were amalgamated with a head office in Durham, half way between to keep the warring factions happy!

A crucial part of the NECC is its independence, something James fiercely defends.

“Many people confuse chambers, and believe they are part of the public sector – which we most definitely aren’t,” he stresses vehemently .

“We actually deliberately don’t do public sector stuff, because it means we can fully defend the interests of our members – it would be awful if someone wanted us to go and take on the government and we pulled our punches because we were just trying to get their cheque.”

The NECC operates solely in the region, for the region and unlike many other business organizations in the North East is not answerable to a central office. According to James, this is one of the reasons why the organization has gained in strength and size.

“Often we don’t have a national position, indeed we don’t even have a regional one sometimes, so its better for us to take a step back and let our counterparts take the lead on an issue.”

“I think this ultimately confers us more influence as we are the only one who purely champions the North East.”

That is not to say that the organizations are in competition with one another – indeed much of their activities go hand in hand.

“Once a month myself and my counterparts from the regions other business organizations meet at the Northern Business Forum to share what we’re doing.

“We work together on a whole host of things – and I honestly can’t think of an occasion when we have disagreed strongly on an issue.

“Fundamentally we all have the interests of our members at the heart, and its them who tell us what they want so really it would be impossible for us to fall out.

Its incredibly heartening to hear this about this level of cohesion, and ultimately positive for the regions economy. Members of the NECC represent 35% of the regions workforce, so with all of the organizations combined; most of the businesses in the North East are receiving some level of support.

“There’s no sense in us all competing because we only damage each other if we do that,” James concludes.

“I also have to say that no other chambers did this elsewhere in the country – but the North East is very good at leading the way.”

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