Columnist

Business success starts with people investment

One thing struck me while pulling together contributions for our recently published People of the North East report: many of the organisations featured are doing great things that would once be considered well beyond their core purpose. 

From creating opportunities for people with criminal records to experimenting with a four-day working week, businesses and organisations across the region are finding new ways to tackle ongoing challenges.

A decade ago, many of these activities might have been viewed as corporate social responsibility. 

Today, they are increasingly becoming part of how successful organisations operate.

That's partly because the challenges facing the North East are interconnected. 

Skills shortages affect business growth. 

Poor health affects workforce participation. 

Barriers to employment limit opportunity for individuals and reduce the talent available to employers. 

No single organisation can solve these issues alone, but businesses are increasingly recognising they have a role to play.

What stands out from the stories in the report is the number of organisations finding practical ways to respond, through actions that make a difference to the people they employ and those they work alongside.

Businesses are adopting flexible models and inclusive hiring practices to unlock untapped potential and enrich workplace culture.

By appointing mental health champions, introducing wellbeing leave and creating more transparency around environmental, social and governance goals, businesses are attracting top talent while strengthening their local impact.

This isn’t about businesses taking on the responsibilities of government or charities, but recognising that long-term business success depends on the strength of the communities around us. 

Thriving businesses need skilled people, healthy communities and a workforce that can see a future in the region.

The North East has always been at its best when organisations work together to tackle shared challenges. 

If there is one lesson to take from these stories, it is that economic growth and social impact are no longer separate conversations. 

The organisations leading the way understand that investing in people and creating opportunity isn’t a distraction from business success, but is increasingly the answer to business success.

At the North East Chamber of Commerce, we see these challenges and opportunities through the experiences of our members every day. 

Through our policy and advocacy work, we are committed to ensuring businesses have a strong voice in shaping a future where economic success and opportunities for everyone go hand in hand.

Erika Armanino is a knowledge and research executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce

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