Member Article

North East businesses thoughts on NEvolution campaign

Recognition’s clients have been welcoming the region-wide campaign, NEvolution. Here are their thoughts:

Nicola Short, Executive Director, The Entrepreneurs’ Forum said: “The Entrepreneurs’ Forum strongly backs the NEvolution campaign, which champions the potential of our region and its focus on growth and economic improvement.

“The North East needs the further support of Government in the three key areas that are being focused upon. Our entrepreneurial community needs swift and ready access to transparent streams of funding and we understand clearly that a further brake on growth can be the need for training and skills.

“The concerted nature of the campaign is also important and is something we at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum understand and champion. We believe NEvolution utilises the North East’s unique combination of entrepreneurial spirit and its willingness to help each other to achieve common goals.”

Fabrick Housing Group chief executive Alison Thain said: “The NEvolution campaign is very exciting for the North East, as it is a collaboration never seen before. From a housing perspective, a strong regional focus on meeting housing need here in the North East is vital. It is absolutely crucial that we acknowledge and tackle the issue of helping people to get on the housing ladder, not only for the individuals involved, but for the regional economy. A bigger say over the decisions which affect the North East will help us to tackle these issues.”

Mike Odysseas, Managing Director of Stockton telecommunications firm Odyssey Systems, said: “The swell of support for NEvolution’s objectives is a clear indication of the region’s desire to step up and take more responsibility for itself. As the owner of a small company at the sharp end of the economy, I think giving responsibility for transport, training and growth to people within the region will help to continue the good work which has been done so far and help the region to expand and thrive. These objectives, which tie in with the recommendations made in both the Heseltine Report and Lord Adonis’s Review of the North East Economy, will help stimulate further growth and jobs within the region.”

Steve Grant, Managing Director of Middlesbrough-based The TTE Technical Training Group, said: “The North East has the ability to continually reinvent itself and adapt to the changing economic and industrial landscape. Securing additional powers, funding and resources can only serve to further improve opportunities in the North East for businesses, individuals and the area as a whole.

“I am pleased that the skills agenda forms a central part of NEvolution. This region’s industrial heritage has been built upon the skills and capabilities of its workforce, which has attracted international companies to the North East and enabled the creation of an effective and world-respected supply chain.

“This can only continue if we invest in skills development through programmes such as apprenticeships, which will enable the creation of future generations of skilled personnel.

“Being able to decide as a region what skills are required and where we can direct resources can ensure we can maintain our position as an industrial leader in the UK and international economies.”

Penny Marshall, Interim Director of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East, said: “The Institution of Civil Engineers is very pleased to see the proposal to devolve powers on transport as part of the NEvolution campaign and would thoroughly advocate such a course of action for the benefit of the regional and national economy. Transport links are vital to good commerce and the North East has a strong need to see regional partnering to not only highlight, but also implement, key work in this area. Having worked with colleagues in the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) to promote the need for improved infrastructure for the North East, it is great to see the region’s media pulling together in a similar way for this campaign.”

ICE launches its State of the Nation report on transport on June 20, 2013.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .