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North East Northern Powerhouse insight: Steve Joyce

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.

The next regional business leader to share his views is Steve Joyce, regional director North East and Yorkshire, SES Engineering Services.

What does the Northern Powerhouse mean to you?

I think it is a real opportunity to release the potential of the North whilst providing more diversity, balance and resilience to the engine of the UK PLC economy as a whole.

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

Yes, I think there are signs. Our pipeline of opportunity has never looked so good. All business in the North is hard won in my opinion, but we are now seeing better levels of confidence and investment taking shape. It’s long overdue, but I do think that with increased activity, confidence in the region is growing and more and more businesses are seeing the north as their strategic choice to overcome skills shortages and an overheated employment market elsewhere in the Country. Having said all of that I do feel the North East needs a bigger focus.

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

I think they have had a good go at it, but as always more could be done. For instance, speaking to other businesses, I think there is data available from a business establishment cost basis that could help in making the case for more businesses to consider the North as their base of operations. But in reality, that data will only go so far. If the North is to fulfil its true potential as an equal in terms of being able to host and grow a significant part of the overall economy, it will need to be connected to those other centres.

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

Yes, I think it will and I think it is essential. This is about long term strategic vision and investment. It has to happen as an enabler for UK growth which will ultimately stall if it is restricted to the existing Southern centres of commerce in my opinion.

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

Yes, education and skills. It is essential that the workforce is ready to engage and build with the economic growth. A focus on non-university higher education provision to support the current push for increased numbers in apprenticeships would give a balanced, skilled workforce that would complement the current university output.

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

I think the North East needs an agreed strategic plan and a compelling investment case to support it. Whether that should be directed by an elected mayor or other legislative assembly I will leave to others. My preference is for businesses and the existing authorities to work pragmatically together to deliver the economic plan. I’m not excited at the thought of further layers of bureaucracy or the cost of inertia that is likely to accompany it.

Will the Northern Powerhouse be realised in the North East?

Why should it not be? But first we need all business leaders to be promoting the North East for its skill base, business should be and could be great in the North East so let’s talk the region up.

Thanks Steve.

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