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North East Northern Powerhouse insight: Nickie Gott, Founder of She’s Gott It

In an ongoing series, Jamie Hardesty is talking to North East business leaders in an attempt to understand the region’s feelings towards the government’s Northern Powerhouse initiative.

This investigation, surveying regional business opinion, hopes to add coherence to the concept and today we’re delighted to host the views of female entrepreneur Nickie Gott OBE.

Nickie is the founder and director of She’s Gott It, a firm providing services to women in business and North East female entrepreneurship.

What does the Northern Powerhouse mean to you?

I see the Northern Powerhouse as a positive step in creating and driving an environment that fosters business success. I believe that giving greater powers to our region will serve to help and support businesses across all sectors with a focused effort on improving our connectivity and skills being at the heart of it.

Are there signs of the Northern Powerhouse starting to bear fruit in the region?

Road improvements such as the A1 are finally taking shape and will certainly help us all do business quicker. Alongside transport links improving, projects such as Science Central, the Tourism Growth Fund and many other visible signs of regional investment are already demonstrating and reinforcing the perception of a vibrant and innovative North East.

Has the government done enough to convince you of its commitment to Osborne’s vision?

Actions speak louder than words and we need to see further investment and support rising to the challenges in the North, reinforcing that we are very much high on the agenda at Westminster.

Transport improvement is intrinsic to the Northern Powerhouse. Do you believe that spending billions on infrastructure will improve Northern productivity?

Our global economy will benefit with plans for an extensive improved road network, better rail links across the UK and better access to our regions ports and airports. This is a priority if we are to gain inward economic investment and increase confidence in our transport networks.

Are there any other areas which you believe money should be spent on, ahead of transport?

I believe that skills and access to funding must sit alongside transport priorities as they play an equal part in attracting investment, creating jobs and retaining talent. Also from my perspective I do hope the creative industries are not forgotten or underrepresented in the drive to see growth in other more prioritised areas.

In this region 1 in 20 jobs are classed as being within the creative economy, according to statistics presented in a 2014 report published by the Department for Culture Media & Sport.

That compares to 1 in 12 for the UK as whole and 1 in 6 in London. Growth in this sector can only serve to support economic growth in the region, more jobs, more creative businesses and greater diversity of skills.

Does the North East need a mayor? If so, who should it be?

I do believe there are advantages in appointing one person to provide leadership of one strategy and one team, that said it has to be the right person not driving their own political agenda. I have yet to be convinced of an ideal candidate to date and am watching this space carefully.

Will the Northern Powerhouse be realised in the North East?

I do believe that the Northern Powerhouse will be realised as it makes a good case to all in the region that that power and money that is currently spent in the North would be given greater weight by having decisions made locally.

Thank you Nickie.

To get involved with this series or to find out more, contact Jamie at jamie.hardesty@bdaily.co.uk. Email today to nominate a leader to feature in this series.

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