Local firm snaps up Durham Tees Valley Airport audit contract

Durham Tees Valley Airport has appointed a Stockton-on-Tees-based accountancy company to carry out the audit of its accounts.

Following a tendering process that was restricted to companies based in the Tees Valley, MHA Tait Walker was selected to carry out the work.

The new contract comes after Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen vowed more local companies would be used at the airport following its return to public ownership.

The appointment of a local company marks a significant change. In the past, local companies were side-lined in favour of London-based accountancy firm, Deloitte, who were responsible for the annual audit.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “I’m pleased that we’ve been able to appoint a local company to carry out our airport’s annual accounts audit.

“We have so many great companies here in the Tees Valley and there’s no need for a London-based global accounting firm to do the work. It’s our airport and it needs to support local businesses - and it is.

“This latest contract signals our commitment to support local businesses and local jobs. Over the coming months, we’ll be asking even more local companies to bid for work.”

This is the latest contract to be tendered since Durham Tees Valley Airport returned to public ownership. Last week, Teesside-based Close Protection Security was contracted to provide extra security on the airport site.

And in a further boost for local companies, the airport is now looking for a local company to take over payroll services at the airport.