North East welcomes ‘first-of-its-kind roadshow’

A diplomatic business visit is aiming to unlock fresh international growth opportunities for the North East.

Colin Crooks, British ambassador to South Korea, toured the North East and Tees Valley as part of a new nationwide initiative from the Foreign Secretary David Lammy to strengthen regional trade links with key international markets.

The visit forms part of a wider diplomatic roadshow, which is seeing more than 15 UK ambassadors and high commissioners return from overseas posts to meet with regional leaders and local businesses across the country. 

Part by the UK Government’s Plan for Change, Mr Lammy says the programme aims to better connect regional firms with high-growth global markets such as South Korea, Japan, Germany and Canada.

He said: “The North East and Tees Valley combined authorities have a strong connection to South Korea, but there’s so much more we can do to boost trade and investment.

“I am sending my ambassador to work directly with local businesses to build connections so they can harness their expertise and effectively champion the interests of the North East and Tees Valley most effectively. 

“This nationwide roadshow is one of the ways I am ensuring the economic interests of British businesses sit at the heart of our foreign policy as we deliver on our Plan for Change.” 

Ambassador Crooks met with North East mayor Kim McGuinness at County Hall, in Morpeth, before touring Port of Tyne and meeting with chief financial officer Mark Stoner. 

In the afternoon he visited Tees Valley, where he met with Tees Valley councillor Alec Brown and SeAH Wind chief executive Chris Sohn, at SeAH’s Teesworks site.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness with Ambassador Crooks at County Hall, in Morpeth

Mark Stoner, chief financial officer at the Port of Tyne, with Ambassador Crooks

Ambassador Crooks said: “It’s exciting to be in the North East and Tees Valley as part of this first-of-its-kind roadshow – going the extra mile to develop relationships that will help us supercharge growth to every corner of the UK.

“We’re hitting the road to speak directly to community leaders and businesses, so that not a single opportunity is missed to generate trade and investment wins overseas. 

“The UK Government’s Plan for Change is making Britain the best country to do business with, and I am looking forward to building on today’s roadshow discussions to showcase the North East and Tees Valley on the international stage.” 

Mayor McGuinness added: “My goal is to make the North East the home of the green energy revolution and in the last few months we’ve seen companies like LS Eco Advanced Cables show their confidence in the North East – we’re a thriving region and a great place to do business.

“I’m delighted to welcome Ambassador Crooks to the region to discuss the North East’s potential for further growth and investment.”  

South Korea is now the UK’s 25th largest trading partner, with total trade reaching £15.4 billion in 2024. 

North East firms are already playing a part in that, with SeAH investing £900 million to build the world’s largest offshore wind monopile factory on Teesside, which is expected to create over 700 direct jobs by 2027.

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