Partner Article

Research Reinforces RTC North and Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Pivotal Role in Driving Scaleup Growth across the North East.

For more than seven years, RTC North and the Entrepreneurs Forum have played a central role in supporting ambitious businesses to scale across the region. New research from Durham University Business School provides fresh insight into the region’s scaleup landscape, reinforcing the importance of coordinated, place-based enterprise support and strengthening alignment between RTC North and the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

The research examined the factors that enable high-growth firms to succeed, the barriers they face, and how regional enterprise ecosystems can be better aligned to support sustained performance. Its findings underline the value of evidence-led collaboration and reflect the approaches taken by both RTC North and the Entrepreneurs’ Forum in addressing long-standing productivity challenges.

Using internationally recognised definitions of scaleup growth, the research presents a more nuanced and encouraging picture of the North East economy. Between 2020 and 2023, the region recorded the highest scaleup rate in the UK under the OECD definition, with 1.8% of firms achieving average annual growth of at least 20% over three years, compared with a UK average of 1.55%.

Notably, women-led businesses in the North East were found to outperform national scaleup rates by 55% at the highest growth thresholds, challenging entrenched assumptions about regional disadvantage and highlighting the strength of the region’s pipeline of ambitious, high-performing firms.

Independent evaluation of Scaleup North East, led by RTC North, has already demonstrated measurable improvements in turnover and productivity among participating businesses. Both RTC North’s Scaleup North East programme and the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Scaleup Leaders’ Academy are recognised nationally by the Scaleup Institute as exemplar initiatives, reflecting a shared commitment to performance-led, locally rooted delivery.

The research also underscores the importance of trusted, coordinated enterprise ecosystems. It suggests that when support organisations, universities, and policymakers work in alignment, they create the conditions for sustainable growth - particularly during periods of structural economic change and leadership transition.

By building on what works and scaling proven approaches, RTC North and the Entrepreneurs’ Forum aim to strengthen the region’s scaleup capability further, working closely with Combined Authority partners to ensure enterprise support aligns with wider economic ambitions.

Jamie Ollivere, Chief Executive at RTC North, said:

“For over seven years, RTC North has been committed to supporting ambitious businesses through Scaleup North East. This research and independent evaluation reinforce the importance of evidence-led delivery and strong regional partnerships. By working closely with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and our Combined Authority partners, we are building on proven approaches to raise scaleup performance and create a more dynamic regional economy.”

Elaine Stroud, CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, added:

“Our members include some of the fastest-growing entrepreneurial-led businesses in the North East. Our collaboration with RTC North is about amplifying their impact and ensuring that even more high-potential businesses are aware of the support available through Scale Up North East, enabling them to scale with confidence.”

Professor Kieran Fernandes, Executive Dean at Durham University Business School, said:

“This research highlights the importance of strong enterprise ecosystems, where collaboration between universities, support organisations, and policymakers is critical to translating ambition and innovation into sustained economic performance. When growth is measured using robust criteria, the North East performs exceptionally well.”

To learn more about Scaleup North East, visit www.scaleupnortheast.co.uk.
For information on the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and the Scaleup Leaders’ Academy, visit www.entrepreneursforum.net.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Entrepreneurs' Forum .