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North East Northern Powerhouse insight: Zoe Farrington, CEO of Realsafe Technologies

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.

Today we’re delighted to feature the views of Zoe Farrington, CEO of Newcastle-based Realsafe Technologies, a digital firm which focuses on developing safety-based technology.

Last month Realsafe, which launched its safety-based app ‘Realrider’ for motorcyclists in February 2013, became the first company in the UK to have an app that is 999 certified.

What does the Northern Powerhouse mean to you?

At worst, it’s a soundbite. At best, it’s a rallying cry. Either way it’s hard to oppose. It’s a great bit of PR and a brand to get behind to build support for policy. It’s not a new idea but it’s possibly the most commitment we’ve seen for the north coming out of Whitehall for decades.

Hashtag aside, I support the rationale in principle. Anything that aims to bring inward investment to the north gets my vote. I’ll be watching closely to see how they work to get so many diverse regions to work together. It will be no mean feat but I applaud the sentiment.

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

I think there are rumblings of change afoot. With the recent press regarding proposed devolution for the North East; I suspect momentum will start to build more rapidly in the coming months. How and when this translates into direct action is anyone’s guess. If the seven regional Councils can’t agree on a combined authority approach then I fear for the success of the Northern Powerhouse concept as a whole.

From a personal viewpoint, our Series A round of investment came entirely from the North East, which was surprising and pleasing. Does this mean there’s a shift from the financial epicentre that is London? Probably not. Does it give me hope for the future of fund raising in the region? A little.

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

I’m inclined to side with the two-thirds of northern businesses who doubt the government will ever create a “Northern Powerhouse”. This could be a cynical Yorkshirewoman’s stance, but I don’t believe I’m alone in thinking actions speak louder than words. On that note, I would say that northern businesses need to push the agenda to make progress.

Only by applying collective pressure will we reap the benefits of gaining coherence to scattered policy initiatives. This could drive change. Excusing ourselves from the table while decisions are being made around us will only serve to create a Northern Powder Room not a Powerhouse.

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

It could do – but not in isolation. A massive cultural shift will have to take place for us to really feel any benefit. Businesses working together, across region, for greater good… it’s a big ask, even when travel times are improved and trains are running on time.

Although we have a relatively tight-knit business community in the North East, we still struggle to work collaboratively and that has little to do with poor infrastructure. Pooling and sharing of resources should be the catalyst for change, while transport improvement facilitates it.

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

Unfortunately I’ve not been gifted with the political prowess of an Underwood, although I do enjoy House of Cards immensely. So I couldn’t possibly suggest where the starting point should be.

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

A Boris Johnson “type” might be what’s required to get the North East to rally behind him (or her). The North East is in need of a publicist and a profile raiser, someone happy to dangle from a zip wire and wave a flag when required. We have a big selling job ahead of us.

But more than a “personality”, we need someone who will roll his or her sleeves up and get stuck in - a quality that is sadly lacking in Mayor Boris. We need a mayor who will embrace controversy, tackle challenges head on and inspire others to follow their lead.

Will the Northern Powerhouse be realised in the North East?

Difficult to say, as “Northern Powerhouse” is much more a concept than an ordered strategy right now. Institutional change is happening but who will be responsible for delivery of the concept? And will the North East simply be seen as geographical creep?

And all this against a backdrop of more political uncertainty (Brexit) and another general election looming, I wonder if the strength of the soundbite is so strong it will weather the storm and see a true Powerhouse surge in coming months and years.

Thanks Zoe.

We hope to culminate our Northern Powerhouse insight series with an interview with James Wharton MP next month. Time still remains to nominate a North East business leader for interview. Get in touch with Jamie at jamie.hardesty@bdaily.co.uk for more information.

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