Teesside University’s work to support economic growth in the Tees Valley has received national recognition.
The University is the winner of the Improving the Business Environment category in the 2018 Enterprising Britain Awards.
The Enterprising Britain Awards are part of the government’s drive to support entrepreneurial activity in the UK. Managed by Investment in Young People on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the awards celebrate the work of public sector and government-backed organisations that support and encourage entrepreneurialism across the UK.
The Improving the Business Environment award goes to the organisation or partnership that is best at encouraging an environment that promotes enterprise start-ups and growth.
Teesside’s award was given for its role as an anchor institution working with the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to support business and innovation growth through a number of different initiatives.
Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, who visited Teesside University this week to attend the Prosperity UK conference, said: “The UK has some of the most entrepreneurial and innovative minds in the world delivering good jobs and growth, and I’m proud to see the wealth of talent, creativity and innovation that exists in Teesside being recognised by the Enterprising Britain Awards.
“On my visit to Teesside University I have seen first-hand how the region is driving forward our modern Industrial Strategy, with the North East and Tees Valley leading the way in developing a local Industrial Strategy which will keep them at the cutting-edge of UK innovation and business growth.”
Some of the initiatives highlighted in Teesside University’s entry were:
Launchpad – the University’s unique start-up engine providing advice, support and co-working and office space to early-stage companies.
DigitalCity – a longstanding programme to build the region’s digital capability, delivered in partnership with TVCA
Innovate Tees Valley – a University-led partnership, supported by European funding, to help SMEs build innovation capacity for entry into new markets and sectors with new products and services.
LEAP 50 – a programme led by Teesside University Business School to help ambitious Tees Valley businesses scale and grow.
Leadership development – the University has made a major investment in relaunching a business school focused on developing entrepreneurial capability among leaders and managers.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) Professor Jane OBE DL, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted that our work to support the economic growth of the Tees Valley has been recognised.
“We fully align our business support to the Tees Valley’s economic goals and we are delighted to be making a tangible impact on jobs, business growth and the prosperity of our region.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, said: “I’m pleased that Teesside University’s partnership with business has been acknowledged.
“It’s vital there is a strong link between business and academia to ensure graduates are equipped with the right skills for our local job-creators.”
Photo: Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, Teesside University Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) Professor Jane OBE DL, and Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP.
Tees Valley based branding and marketing agency, The Creative Alchemist, has recently welcomed a new full time recruit to strengthen its team.
The agency, which is based in Boho One, Middlesbrough, has appointed Steven Askham as Marketing Manager.
Steven started his career in the legal sector but had a yearning to work in marketing and gave up his full-time job to attend University to study a BA (Hons) Marketing. Fast forward three years and he’s graduated from Teesside University with first class honours and landed his dream job.
Working alongside Account Director, Emma El-Khawaja, Steven will write strategies, contribute creative ideas and manage marketing plans for clients as well as delivering the agencies marketing strategy.
Talking about his appointment Steven said: “I’ve admired The Creative Alchemist’s work for quite some time, so I’m delighted to join the team.”
“They take pride in developing creative ideas based on strategic insight and it’s this combination of art and science that really attracted me to the business.”
The Creative Alchemist works with a range of clients to reinvigorate existing brands, as well as creating new ones. Built around an established team with over 50 years industry experience, the agency helps brands grow through its solid three phase approach which is business focussed, customer centric and results driven.
Lisa Holt, Managing Director said: “Our creativity, strategic know-how and integrated approach has seen us win a variety of new clients close to home and operating internationally. Steven will be a great asset to the team as his creative ideas and strategic marketing knowledge will add value to the brands we work with and he’s exactly the person we need to develop our brand further.”
Established in 2015, The Creative Alchemist has built an impressive portfolio of local, regional, national and international clients across a range of sectors from health to engineering and professional services.
Successful companies should provide the same levels of service as they would to an A-list celebrity client, North-East business leaders have been told.
Marketing and customer service guru Geoff Ramm was the latest speaker at the Business Exchange organised by Teesside University.
Geoff, who has advised major companies across the world, including Emirates, Specsavers and McDonalds, on how to improve their customer service, challenged the audience to think about how they could improve the way they interact with clients.
Using examples of positive service he has experienced, he showed them the impact good customer relations can have on a client’s experience.
Speaking at the University’s Centre for Professional and Executive Development in Darlington, he said most businesses think they offer excellent customer service, but when challenged to a hypothetical situation where they were serving an A-list celebrity, business owners can think of ways in which their service could improve.
“This is what I call the ‘celebrity service gap’,” he said. “It’s the gap between the top levels of customer service and the extra mile further you would go if your customer was an A-list celebrity.
“That gap is what will separate you from your competitors and increase your profit levels.”
He advised the audience to constantly look for ways to improve their service, and not become complacent when dealing with clients.
The Business Exchange is a network of senior leaders from businesses and organisations in the North East and North Yorkshire, with events held at Teesside University’s Darlington campus throughout the year.
Each event features a high-profile figure from the business world, speaking on a topical theme.
Laura Woods, Director of Academic Enterprise at Teesside University, said: “Geoff’s performance energised the entire room, and he gave a fascinating insight into the difference that really great customer service can make to an organisation.
“I think everyone who was there came away on a mission to find ways to give their clients the A-list celebrity treatment.”
Teesport has become the first UK port to actively minimise the risk of plastic pellets from leaking into the environment, as its operator PD Ports signs up to the Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) initiative.
The project, run in the UK by the British Plastics Federation (BPF), introduces measures to keep plastic ‘nurdles’ safely away from rivers and seas.
Simon Clarke, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, announced the landmark agreement, while presenting the OCS certificate to PD Ports at a BPF reception at the House of Commons on Monday 10th September. Mr Clarke states:
“Today’s news is a major step forward in the fight against plastic pollution, and will delight the hundreds of my constituents who take part in regular beach cleans at Saltburn and along our local rivers and streams. The British Plastics Federation is doing wonderful work tackling this scourge, and PD Ports deserve great credit for engaging swiftly and decisively as the first UK port to sign up to Operation Clean Sweep.
“Plastics have a crucial role in our economy but it is vital they are produced and transported in a responsible fashion. I hope other UK ports will now follow Teesport’s lead – both our own and future generations will have reason to thank them if they do.”
Operation Clean Sweep® is already implemented across the UK in over 250 sites, which up until now have largely been plastics manufacturing plants. However, the recent announcement represents an important shift, incorporating other companies who handle these materials along the supply chain – ensuring plastics are handled responsibly during transportation.
With headquarters in Middlesbrough, PD Ports has several operations across the UK at key ports including Teesport. One of the major shipping and logistics hubs in the North of the UK, Teesport handles over 500,000 teu a year. PD Ports Chief Operating Officer and Vice-Chairman, Jerry Hopkinson adds:
“As a port, we already have a number of initiatives in place to work with river users to reduce plastic making its way into our environment and our work with the British Plastics Federation reinforces our commitment. Plastics are clearly important for a number of purposes, but it’s important that we all take responsibility for how they are managed and disposed of, so as to not be detrimental to the planet.”
Philip Law, Director General of the BPF states:
“The British Plastics Federation is proud that PD Ports is the first UK port to sign up to Operation Clean Sweep. We highly value Simon Clarke MP’s involvement in helping to achieve this important landmark. Many manufacturers and logistics operators are putting their weight behind Operation Clean Sweep and we urge other organisations that handle plastic raw materials to follow the fine example set by PD Ports.”
PD Ports has formed a partnership with Seacon (SG), a UK port-based terminal operator, freight forwarder and one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers to paper and pulp importers in the Forest Products industry, to establish a point of entry into the North of the UK for its customers.
Already operating from the South at the Port of Tilbury, Seacon (SG), part of the Seacon Group of Companies, will now use Teesport, owned and operated by PD Ports, as its Northern logistics hub.
The Port’s unrivalled connections to the Scandinavian market through shipping line, Containerships, its proximity to an excellent transport network and PD Ports’ skilled and experienced logistics team were instrumental in Seacon (SG)’s decision to choose Teesport.
The addition of Teesport allows Seacon (SG) to provide operational coverage from the North and South of the UK with the support of PD Ports’ skilled and experienced logistics team.
With one company able to offer a variety of services, working with PD Ports allows companies to benefit from flexibility, control and visibility of their supply chain. Within this operation, PD Ports has been able to provide a portcentric logistics solution integrating various services, all managed by one team, from shunting containers, unloading to the warehouse, storing the cargo and transporting it to its final destination using its dedicated road haulage fleet.
The relationship between PD Ports and Seacon (SG) allows expertise and knowledge to be shared providing the best and most efficient service.
Martin Phillips, Commercial Manager at Seacon (SG), commented: “Working with
PD Ports has allowed us to have an entry point into the UK through the North for our customers.
“The service received so far has been excellent and it has enabled us to increase efficiencies in our customers’ supply chain and provide further flexibility in the operation as and when needed. Customers have already re-signed to extend contracts since the formation of this partnership; which we believe is illustration of the initial success of this project.”
Ian Johnson, PD Ports’ Director Portcentric Logistics, said: “Fostering relationships with market leaders like Seacon (SG) allows us to learn and share our expertise to work to create more tailored solutions for customers using our port facilities.
“Welcoming Seacon (SG) to Teesport is another vote of confidence not only for the Port, but for the wider Tees Valley. We’re positioning Teesport as the UK’s northern gateway for global shippers serving Northern markets, and this move for Seacon (SG) further cements our vision of providing importers with bespoke portcentric solutions.”
Teesside University has been shortlisted for a major national award in recognition of the work it has done to promote entrepreneurship and enterprise.
The University is a finalist in the Outstanding Entrepreneurial University category of the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2018.
Known as the ‘Oscars of higher education’, the THE Awards recognise the full range of university activity across 14 different categories.
The Outstanding Entrepreneurial University category is for institutions which have developed and delivered an exceptional approach to embedding entrepreneurship within their culture and programmes, demonstrating a significant impact at regional, national or international level.
Teesside University has been shortlisted for the award as a result of the success of its enterprise engine Launchpad.
Launchpad provides a vibrant campus environment for pre-starts, new companies and students. Alongside creative spaces to start-up, experiment and collaborate, it offers an inclusive community of entrepreneurs; mentoring, coaching and workshops from partners; grant funding and access to finance.
The University’s five schools run a variety of student-focused ventures, underpinning enterprise in the curriculum.
These include Precious Plastics, a multidisciplinary plastic recycling operation, and the TUCan animation studio, where students and recent graduates work on live projects for commercial clients.
In 2016/17, Launchpad supported 26 graduate start-ups, creating 55 FTE graduate jobs, and the University was ranked seventh in the country for estimated turnover of all active start-ups. (Source)
It is estimated the impact of Launchpad’s entrepreneurial activities contributed an annual Gross Value Added (GVA) of £23.9million to the Tees Valley economy in 2016/17.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) Professor Jane Turner OBE DL, said: “Teesside University is an anchor institution helping to sustain the economic prosperity of the Tees Valley. Enterprise is firmly at the heart of our corporate mission.
“We are delighted to have received this plaudit. It is a testament to the inspiration and dedication of our staff, and the talent and entrepreneurial spirit of our student and graduate entrepreneurs.”
THE editor John Gill said: “Times Higher Education is extremely proud to host these awards once again.
In yet another record year for entries, and with over 70 institutions represented on the shortlist, it’s a genuine privilege for the THE team and our judges to read through these many and varied tales of excellence from all corners of the UK.
“It’s a significant achievement to make this shortlist, and we look forward to honouring all the finalists at the Grosvenor in November.”
The shortlisting in THE awards follows Teesside University’s recent success in the THE Leadership and Management Awards (THELMAs) in June when it won the Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative Award for the success of its DigitalCity project which has contributed to the digital transformation of the Tees Valley.
The winners of the THE awards will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London on Thursday, 29 November 2018.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen is calling on ambitious members of the local business community to help deliver economic transformation across the region.
Mayor Houchen is leading a fresh drive for visionary representatives from companies in our area to join the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) board and ensure an active and diverse group which reflects our breadth of businesses and professionals.
The LEP, chaired by former Sabic Chairman Paul Booth OBE, works closely with the wider business community and other partners to drive forward economic growth and job creation in the area. It works in partnership with Mayor Houchen, the Tees Valley Combined Authority, and the five Council Leaders.
Tees Valley LEP was described as “a fantastic example of public-private sector partnership, the strongest and most ambitious in the country” by Paul Drechsler CBE, President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Chancellor of Teesside University.
Now Mayor Houchen wants representatives of equal commitment to sign up to help promote the economic growth of the region, in particular from the small and medium-sized enterprise community.
Those appointed to the LEP board would work to:
- support and offer advice to the Mayor and the Combined Authority
- champion and promote specific initiatives from the perspective of business
- represent the SME community
- represent the Tees Valley nationally and internationally
- ensure a strong voice in decision-making
- help deliver the Combined Authority’s Strategic Economic Plan
- help prepare and deliver the Tees Valley Local Industrial Strategy
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I want business leaders to be involved in every decision we make. They’re the people who are investing, employing, training and exporting in the Tees Valley, and I need their help to deliver even more jobs for local people.
“We have many top-quality businesses that are the lifeblood of the Tees Valley, proudly calling it their home. We want to repay their commitment to our region by understanding their needs. The most effective way to do that is get them around the table, helping to shape our plans.”
Tees Valley LEP Chair Paul Booth said: “The Tees Valley LEP is going from strength to strength and over the past year we’ve made significant progress in driving locally-led economic development.
“We have a fantastic team who are committed to our area, but I know we can do even better. I’d ask senior members of businesses who feel that they, or the work they do, adds real value to Tees Valley to put themselves forward and help create the most diverse, representative LEP yet.”
Angela Howey, Head of Consumer at EE, was appointed to the Tees Valley LEP last year. She said: “This is a terrific group of people who are making important decisions that directly impact the region but it would be great to increase diversity with, among other things, a more equal gender split.
“I’d love to see more women in business stepping up to join the LEP to help boost growth for us all.”
To find out more or apply, visit teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/lep
Just a short time after its official launch, Middlesbrough’s vibrant new business community, Albert North, is celebrating its first tenant.
Mabo Media, an award-winning PPC specialist, has committed the company’s future to Albert North in a new lease, allowing the team’s ambitious growth plans to become reality.
“Albert North is the ideal next step for Mabo Media on our journey to become the best and biggest PPC agency in the UK” said MD Lee Mableson, who set up the company just over 5 years ago.
The 30 plus strong team have relocated to 16-26 Albert Road, occupying 6,000 sq ft of newly refurbished space.
Made up of a collection of 10 eclectic buildings on Albert Road, Albert North boasts a mix of modern studio spaces for small to large businesses, as well as food and drink outlets and chic city living apartments on the upper floors.
The revitalisation of this prime city centre location has the design to complement Middlesbrough’s existing digital and creative quarter and the Boho Zone, Albert North is being welcomed by many businesses who are looking for modern, flexible office space to meet their growing needs.
“We were looking for a new office space which would be flexible with our rapid growth, as well as having the modern facilities that people have come to expect in the digital sector. Coupled with the city centre location and excellent transport links to other major digital hotspots such as Leeds and Manchester, Albert North was the perfect solution for us” added Lee.
“We’re thrilled to welcome one of Teesside’s biggest digital success stories to Albert North” said Mark Hill, Commercial Property Director at Jomast.
“Our aim with Albert North is to bring together passionate people and inspiring businesses into one exciting business community” he added.
The Albert North scheme includes a number of perks for businesses, including high speed broadband, rent and rate incentives, free public health initiatives for all staff and a town centre loyalty card with exclusive discounts and incentives. The multi-million pound regeneration project is being driven by local property developers Jomast and Middlesbrough Council.
“Albert North allows businesses of all sizes, including the town’s prominent creative and digital sector, to remain in close proximity to each other, which in turn will encourage a collaborative environment for these businesses to thrive” added Michelle McPhee, City Centre Manager at Middlesbrough Council.
Anyone interested in leasing the units on Albert Road should contact Jomast directly at enquiries@jomast.co.uk.
Middlesbrough mayor Dave Budd has signed his name into a landmark project which signifies the start of its steel production.
The town’s elected mayor visited Finley Structures in Newton Aycliffe after the family-run construction firm won a contract to fabricate and erect the steel for the new Centre Square development in Middlesbrough.
The 210,000 sq ft scheme, which is being delivered by Ashall Projects, will create a 21st century business destination in the heart of Middlesbrough with Grade A offices.
Preparatory works began on the site earlier this month and main contractor Bowmer and Kirkland awarded Finley Structures the steel contract.
The Aycliffe firm – which built the steel frame for Hitachi Rail Europe’s new facility in Aycliffe as well as factories for Nissan and Unipress in Washington and Nifco in Eaglescliffe – started fabricating 685 tonnes of steel this week, which will make up two structures (one 465 tonnes and the other 220 tonnes).
Finley Structures are expected to start erecting the steel from August 30 and are scheduled to finish in October – the whole Centre Square development is expected to take 14 months to complete.
Mayor Budd today signed and dated a large panel of its structure, which will be welded into the steel, and he said: “It’s not something I’ve done before!
“But it emphasises how important the new developments on Centre Square are, to Middlesbrough and the wider area, and it’s great having a local company do this as well.
“When I look outside my window every day I can see holes being dug in the ground, and very shortly the steel from here at Finley Structures will be going up, and at that point people will really start to think about what this will mean to the whole of Middlesbrough.
“It’s enormous because of the number of jobs it potentially brings with it, and that’s really what our Investment Prospectus is about.
“A lot of the projects are actually happening now and that tells a different sort of story, and maybe it raises ambitions that we can do these things.
“There’s a lot more optimism about and actual physical structures like this really emphasise that.”
Finley Structures, founded in 2000, is well-known for working on high-profile projects in the North-East – other notable projects have included Teesside University’s Curve building and Middlesbrough Council’s Sports Village – but the firm also works across the UK.
The company’s founder and managing director, John Finley, said: “It’s good to win local jobs, it keeps people employed and we use as many suppliers and contractors from around the North-East to work with us to build the contract.
“We’ve just completed the Gate development at Durham, we’ve won another contract with Unipress up at Washington and we have another couple of contracts coming up with Sir Robert McAlpine.
“So we’re very buoyant at the moment. We’re actually buying some new machinery and the contracts we have go well into January, so our order book is very strong.”
DigitalCity is calling for high-growth Tees Valley-based companies to join the next round of its SCALE Programme.
The three-month programme, which is offered free of charge, is designed specifically for ambitious business owners working in the digital and technology sectors who are ready to take their business to the next level.
DigitalCity, based at Teesside University, with support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and European Regional Development Fund, works with digital and non-digital companies to drive innovation and growth.
Scaling a company involves implementing processes and systems to ensure that it has the capability to grow.
To date, 28 companies across the Tees Valley have been helped to achieve this by the SCALE programme.
DigitalCity Investment Programme manager, David Dixon, said: “Making sure that our tech companies realise their full potential for growth is a major priority for DigitalCity and for the Tees Valley.
“While the companies we work with on SCALE come from right across the digital and tech field, they all have one thing in common – that is the ambition, drive and capability to grow their business.”
SCALE consists of a programme of workshops that are delivered fortnightly. They include Strategy Formation, People and Leadership, Intellectual Property (IP) Development and Finance.
The programme also brings in high profile guest speakers and mentors working in digital industries around the world to create a unique experience for local businesses wanting to grow or enter new markets.
DigitalCity was acknowledged as one of the key drivers of digital growth in the Tees Valley when Middlesbrough was listed in the Tech Nation 2018 report as being in the vanguard of the UK’s burgeoning digital and hi-tech economy.
It was also recently named ‘Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of The Year’ at the 2018 Times Higher Education Leadership & Management Awards (THELMAs).
DigitalCity SCALE will be delivered at Teesside University’s Darlington Campus from September – November 2018. Business owners interested in taking part should call 01642 384334 or email info@thedigitalcity.com by Tuesday 28 August.
