Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen today welcomed the announcement that Tees Valley has been longlisted as a potential area for one of Heathrow Airport’s Logistic Hubs.

As part of Heathrow’s £16bn expansion plans, it is proposing to create four logistic hubs in the UK, where components will be pre-assembled and then delivered to the airport, with the aim of making the project more cost-effective and spreading the investment’s financial benefits beyond the South East.

Over the summer the Mayor and Combined Authority convened a powerful collation of local businesses to submit an ambitious bid to establish the Tees Valley as the go to location.

Mr Houchen recently met with Heathrow’s Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye and took the opportunity to go through the proposal.

If successful it is expected to bring hundreds of jobs and significant opportunities for the local supply chain, stimulating significant growth across our industrial heartland.

The bid secured the support of leading business figures in the area, including British Steel, Cleveland Bridge, PD Ports, AV Dawson, RBT, Deepdale Solutions and the North East England Chamber of Commerce.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen said: “We always think big in the Tees Valley. We have the capability and capacity to deliver massive projects, and I am pleased Heathrow Airport have recognised this.

“Our case is strong because we have world-class expertise, excellent infrastructure, a pool of skilled and talented workers and the strong supply chain necessary to establish their Logistics Hub.

“The Heathrow Logistics Hub proposals complement perfectly with the South Tees Development Corporation’s emerging Master Plan for the area that supports industrial growth and job creation.”

The proposal would the see the facility established on the recently launched South Tees Development Corporation. Welcoming the opportunity for the South Tees, Councillor Sue Jeffrey, Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said: “Redcar is uniquely placed to be a Logistics Hub to Heathrow. Our area is seeing significant growth and global interest because of the huge potential we offer to businesses. We have the necessary skills and experience, great infrastructure and ambitious plans for future development and stand ready to support this investment.”

James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: “We supported the Tees Valley’s proposal as the site has unique potential, with excellent port facilities and transport links, high quality industrial assets and the backing of the local business community. The Tees Valley already plays a substantial role in the global supply chains of construction projects around the world, and we believe the site can play that same crucial role in the expansion and on-going operation of Heathrow.”

Heathrow will visit the Mayor early in the New Year to look at the proposed site and has chosen the Tees Valley as one of the areas to hold its business summit.

PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port groups, is calling on other employers to help plug the engineering skills gap as the Company celebrates 15 years of apprenticeships.

To mark Engineers Week (6–10 November), PD Ports is highlighting the value young people can bring to any business after the latest stats from the Department for Education revealed a 61% year-on-year drop in new apprenticeships.

Last month PD Ports welcomed a further three new engineering apprentices. In an area renowned for its industrial heritage, the port operator is very proud of its commitment to investing in the training and development of young people but urges other businesses to follow suit.

Russ McCallion, HR Director at PD Ports, said apprentices are the lifeblood of business growth and can deliver real benefits to any organisation but claimed more employers need to invest in young people, plugging the 186,000 people needed annually with engineering skills by 2040, according to projections from the University of Warwick and EngineeringUK.

PD Ports has brought on three engineering apprentices James Koward (20), Jack Beckley (16) and Bradley Jenkins (19) at its Teesport site, which will see them work at one of the UK’s deepest water ports.

Before the end of 2017 PD Ports will recruit a further 13 apprentices across multiple disciplines including engineering, human resources, accountancy and transport & logistics.

Between May and July, the number of new apprentices across the UK fell from 113,000 to 43,000 year-on-year despite the introduction of The Apprenticeship Levy, with larger businesses not appreciating the benefits.

Mr McCallion, said: “52% of our engineering team started their career with PD Ports as an apprentice, which is a very clear demonstration of our long-term commitment to providing young people with high quality career opportunities. Skilled apprentices are vital building blocks in a progressive, innovative and resilient business. We have some exceptionally talented individuals at PD Ports.

“We are using Tomorrow’s Engineers Week as a platform to highlight the importance of apprenticeships and to urge businesses across multiple sectors to support the next generation of young people. The introduction of the levy is still very much in its infancy so I would be cautious of reading too much into the statistics at this early stage but we do need to see greater engagement with employers and a simplified process to access the benefits of the levy.”

According to a YouGov poll in August, just 8% of students aged 15-18 attending college in 2016/17 were advised to seek work-based apprenticeships while 85% were encouraged to go into further education.

The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced by the government on 6 April 2017 to help fund three million new apprenticeships by 2020 and requires all employers of an annual pay bill of £3million upwards to contribute 0.5% of this to help fund apprentice and training schemes in the UK.

Middlesbrough’s thriving small business community is being supported and encouraged with two new business rates schemes.

Middlesbrough Council’s proposals will firstly encourage traders to set up or expand in the town and secondly to support existing businesses who have adversely affected by increased bills following the Government’s rating revaluation.

The first scheme, funded by Middlesbrough Council, will provide discretionary rate relief for businesses, so long as they meet a set of eligibility criteria.

However, a non-exhaustive list of those who will not be eligible has already been drawn up, including betting shops, takeaways, payday loan shops, pawn brokers and temporary lets.

The second scheme will help to support smaller businesses who have been adversely affected by increases in their rates bills following the recent Government rating revaluation.

The Council will target this funding to eligible small businesses who have a rateable value of less than £200,000 and have seen an increase in their bills of more than £100 or 5%. It is estimated that approximately 350 business could be eligible for this support. The Council will contact those businesses, encouraging them to apply for the relief in the next few weeks.

Cllr Nicky Walker, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Finance and Governance, said: “We don’t ever want to be in a position where someone would love to open a bar, a restaurant, a shop, a beauticians or anything else and decides it’s too much of a risk because of business rates.

“We hope these business rate relief schemes will encourage new business and let existing businesses know that we want to support them to be a success in Middlesbrough.”

The schemes come on top of Middlesbrough Council’s Investment Prospectus which will see the authority invest £74m in order to unlock more than £700m of private inward investment.

Middlesbrough’s Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for City Strategy, Cllr Charlie Rooney, said: “From the Corner Emporium to Baker and Bedford Street to our current investment strategy, Middlesbrough Council has long recognised the important role small businesses play in creating a unique offer which will draw more people into Middlesbrough.

“Our city centre is seeing huge investments at the moment from the private sector and from the Council itself and we continue to make great strides in cementing our position as the economic heart of the Tees Valley.”

Six new businesses have received funding of almost £40,000 in the latest round of the Launchpad FUEL programme at Teesside University.

The successful businesses include four social enterprises, an animation studio and a high-level concept art studio.

Launchpad FUEL is a development programme open to Teesside University students and graduates who are in the early stages of developing a business idea.

A total of 20 businesses underwent intensive development over eight weeks. The founders then pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win further funding.

Six companies successfully pitched for funding to help get their businesses off the ground. A total of £37,000 was awarded to:

  • Silver Lining animation studio
  • Segment – a social enterprise designing games to help diagnose dementia symptoms
  • Urna Dolor –  a luxury fashion brand aimed at helping people with mental health issues
  • Art by Gernzy – high level, concept art
  • Live It and Get Active – a social enterprise tackling exercise and nutrition among young people
  • CATS Social Enterprise Games Studio – helping to develop games which promote people with disabilities in a positive manner.

The teams will all get dedicated office space in Teesside Launchpad for six months, together with a support package including specialist mentoring, business workshops, networking and access to finance and investment support.

Steve Dougan, Head of Graduate Enterprise at Teesside University, said: “Launchpad FUEL offers a unique opportunity for start-ups to access grant funding to give their businesses a real chance of becoming successful.

“Even the start-ups which did not receive the funding benefited enormously from the eight weeks of development they have undertaken.

“It was also extremely gratifying to see so many social enterprises awarded funding.

“This was not a deliberate decision on our part, but demonstrates that social enterprise is becoming increasingly popular as a business model among young entrepreneurs.”

Teesside Launchpad is based in a converted Victorian school at the University’s Middlesbrough campus and offers a co-working space where students, graduates, alumni-entrepreneurs, SMEs and corporate partners can come together in a unique start-up eco-system.

For more information visit www.startupteesside.co

TV architect George Clarke is promoting the Ministry of Building, Innovation and Education (MOBIE), a social enterprise which works with Teesside University to deliver revolutionary home building courses, at UK Construction Week with support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Accompanied by the Combined Authority, George is engaging with exhibitors and visitors at the conference to promote MOBIE and its work in Tees Valley, and delivering high-level briefings to the media in attendance. UK Construction Week is considered the highlight of the construction industry calendar, and is being held at Birmingham’s NEC from 10th to 12th October, where it is expected to attract more than 650 exhibitors and in excess of 30,000 visitors.

MOBIE developed a suite of courses in Advanced Home Construction, in conjunction with Teesside University and with the support of the Tees Valley Combined Authority. These include a Higher National Certificate and Diploma, an undergraduate degree programme, BSc (Hons) Advanced Home Construction (top up) and a postgraduate degree course – MSc Advanced Home Futures.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, said: “I would like to personally thank George for flying the flag for Tees Valley at UK Construction Week. New degree courses like the ones developed by Teesside University and MOBIE, which will teach innovative ways of solving existing and future problems, are one way Tees Valley will establish its competitive advantage in the new economy. To stay ahead we have to be smart, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here.”

George Clarke said: “UK Construction Week is the highest-profile construction event in the country, so it was essential that we attend to raise the profile of MOBIE and the opportunities it is offering in building design, in Tees Valley with the support of the Combined Authority and Teesside University. There is a real buzz about the need for new homes, and in order to deliver them in the quantity and quality required we must go beyond traditional construction methods.”

Professor Stephen Cummings, Dean of Science, Engineering and Design at Teesside University, said: “Innovation in construction, as in other industries, is the driving force for growth and productivity, which is why it is essential for business and the higher education sector to work together. It stands as a testament to the strength of the partnership between Teesside University, MOBIE and Tees Valley Combined Authority that our courses are being promoted at this nationally significant event.”

Cleveland Fire Brigade will be offering businesses safety advice as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) UK Business Safety Week 2017. The week runs from 11th – 17th September and aims to make sure businesses and their staff have the information they need to prevent, protect and respond to fire incidents in the workplace.

The week has been scheduled to run at a time when many businesses will be recruiting additional members of seasonal staff in the run up to the Christmas period. New recruits may not have the same level of fire safety awareness as permanent members of staff, and may not be aware of the steps needed to protect themselves, their customers and colleagues. It’s also a good opportunity to remind employers of the need to review fire risk assessments and training and make sure existing staff know the importance of fire safety.

Phil Lancaster, Director of Community Protection for Cleveland Fire Brigade said, “This is a timely opportunity to remind employers of their responsibilities, making sure all employees are aware of fire safety and to look at ways of reducing the risk of fire. We will be asking local businesses to:

  • ensure they have taken action to prevent fires in the workplace
  • take action to protect themselves from arson
  • make sure all staff know how to respond appropriately in the event of an incident
  • work with their local fire service to reduce false alarms and enforcement notices

“It is all about education rather than enforcement. We are coming up to the busy time of the year with many offices, shops, hotels and pubs recruiting additional seasonal staff and there may be a need to raise general awareness as well as ensuring all procedures are in place and alarms are regularly tested.”

Fire and rescue services across the country will be holding a range of events and activities to engage with businesses in their communities, working with them to help improve their knowledge of fire safety.

Throughout the week Cleveland Fire Brigade staff will be engaging with businesses in their communities, working with them to help improve their knowledge of fire safety.

Business owners are welcome to get free safety advice and information at:

Date: Friday 15 September

Time: 10am – 4pm

Location: Startforth Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate

NFCC Protection and Enforcement Lead, Mark Hardingham commented: “I’m delighted that the National Fire Chiefs Council is again working with small and medium size businesses to help them ensure that they are able to operate in a way that is safe from the terrible effects of fire. These businesses make a massive contribution to the UK economy and local communities and we want to help them to do this in a sustainable and safe way.”

Middlesbrough Council is making sure the latest addition to the town’s cosmopolitan offer has all the help it needs when looking for the best local talent.

Bistrot Pierre will bring a touch of Gallic style to the important Albert Road area near the Town Hall Centre Square area when it opens in September.

The new continental-style eaterie will offer great value French food in a relaxed setting, and is the latest in a string of high-profile new arrivals giving town centre a new lease of life.

The restaurant will create 50 new jobs in the town, with vacancies open across all areas in the restaurant.

Middlesbrough Council – along with a number of other support agencies – is delighted to be able to support Bistrot Pierre with its recruitment plans.

The Council has helped co-ordinate the relevant agencies to ensure the appropriate support is on hand to put recruitment plans quickly in place and ensure local residents receive every opportunity to take up the new positions.

Middlesbrough Job Centre and the National Careers Service are providing support to residents to apply for the positions and help prepare their CVs.

Middlesbrough College is also providing support to the restaurant, linking their recent trainees and offering the Bistrot the opportunity to use their fully equipped training kitchens for interview sessions.

Bistrot Pierre General Manager Salvatore Savino said: “We are proud that the Bistrot Pierre family is growing and that we are creating job opportunities locally in a number of front and back of house roles.

“I’ve been part of the team at Bistrot Pierre since 1996, starting out as a part-time waiter in the Derby restaurant, it’s been a fantastic place to progress my career.

“We are looking for staff in all areas so if you think you have what it takes to join our ever-growing team please visit our website and apply, we’d love to hear from you.”

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for City Centre Strategy, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Bistrot Pierre to Middlesbrough at an exciting point in the town’s history.

“There’s a real sense of confidence ambition across the town centre, with new investment like this adding to a vibrant, cosmopolitan offer.

“The impact on the local economy is huge, and for local people there are the sort of job opportunities that can be truly life changing.”

Middlesbrough is fast becoming a hotbed for digital tech innovation, having been named as one of the UK’s fastest-growing digital clusters.

Boho Five is gaining a reputation as the place to be for thriving digital and creative businesses.

Built specifically to support new and growing digital and creative companies, Boho Five sits proudly within Middlesbrough’s Boho Zone – the town’s digital and creative industries quarter.

Designed by award-winning firm Xsite Architecture, the building’s striking black and orange exterior displays an iconic, colourful and modern theme to complement its sister building Boho One. Internally it offers contemporary office space from 100 – 1,000 sq. ft. and includes:

  • informal space for pre-start companies and potential entrepreneurs exploring business ideas
  • fast start incubation space for companies starting up or progressing from being home-based
  • flexible space to accommodate the rapid growth phases of more developed companies
  • virtual office hosting
  • hot desk access available in a reserved room with Wi-Fi
  • project spaces for use by companies requiring short-term capacity
  • on-site parking

Many of the building’s existing tenants, who include Mabo Media, Cool Blue, Tad Web Solutions, Vanilla Bean Creative, and Eighty8 Design, are already working with prestigious national and international clients.

Businesses based in the building can also benefit from support through Teesside University’s DigitalCity programme. DigitalCity has been instrumental in developing the town’s successful super cluster and it supports digital businesses by providing specialist advice on innovation, growth, funding, and finance.

Those looking to relocate to Boho Five can also benefit from business rate relief for a five-year period, subject to terms and conditions, as it was recently announced that the building sits within one of Middlesbrough’s newly formed Enterprise Zones.

Lindsay Childes, Boho Operations Manager, said: “We have a variety of office spaces available at Boho Five to suit new or established companies in the tech and creative sector, and with incentive packages available now is the perfect time to consider relocating here.

“Boho Five has proved to be a hit as it provides excellent facilities at a competitive price. The building is all about creating an environment for businesses to flourish and it’s great to see so many of our tenants are at the forefront of our flourishing digital and creative economy.”

The building is situated close to Middlesbrough town centre and is surrounded by excellent road and rail links. Middlesbrough’s train station is just a two-minute walk away, while a five-minute walk takes you into the town’s shopping district.

A Middlesbrough commercial office space is at full capacity and thriving with local businesses following a £1m refurbishment and investment.

The centrally located Cleveland Business Centre is currently home to 26 Teesside businesses including Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Protocol Education Ltd, Taylor Law, and Provident Financial.

Geoff Hogg, Managing Director of Cleveland Business Centre, said: “By achieving full capacity we believe the Cleveland Business Centre is fulfilling its mission to become a supportive business community that allows new enterprises to thrive and grow.

“The site’s refurbishment ensures small businesses have access to the latest IT and presentation facilities along with this, our Easy In Easy Out short term contracts offer flexibility to starter businesses.

“We hope to continue working with small firms to improve business across Teesside as a whole.”

Following the site’s recent refurbishment, tenants are able to take advantage of new facilities such as its health and leisure gym, café, modern meeting and conferencing rooms, and on-site parking.

Current occupants and their family members are able to take advantage of the health and leisure gym facilities free of charge.

The Centre’s prime location near the Law Courts has resulted in Teesside law firms regularly working in the Centre, whether this be for a contracted office suite or an hour of utilising conference facilities.

For further information on how you can access the facilities, contact the Cleveland Business Centre reception on 01642 232 353.

Teesside University is delighted to announce business leader Paul Drechsler CBE as its new Chancellor.

He becomes the University’s third Chancellor, succeeding Lord Sawyer of Darlington, who has served in the post since 2005.

Mr Drechsler, who is President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), began his career on Teesside, working for ICI for 10 years. He then held various senior positions, living in Brazil, the USA and the Netherlands, which concluded with five years as Chief Executive of one of ICI’s principal international businesses and as a Main Board Director.

Mr Drechsler is currently Chairman of Bibby Line Group and previously Chairman & Chief Executive of the privately-owned construction firm Wates Group.

He will take up his position as Chancellor of Teesside University in the autumn. The Chancellor is the ceremonial figurehead of the institution and acts as an ambassador promoting the University on a regional, national and international level.

Professor Paul Croney, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University, said: “I would like to thank Lord Sawyer for his immense contribution to the University over the past 12 years. He has been a superb ambassador and he’s played an active part in university life, supporting our students and community.

“I am also delighted to welcome Paul Drechsler to the role. He brings a wealth of experience and shares our vision of providing opportunity, driving enterprise and delivering excellence to our students, graduates and employers, evidenced through his own commitment to business, education and economic growth.”

Mr Drechsler said: “I am honoured and delighted to accept the role of Chancellor at Teesside University and build on the excellent work of Lord Sawyer at what is a most exciting time in its history. The University is playing a vital role, clearly understanding the need to be at the centre of a thriving region, connecting with the community, the students and with local and international businesses.

“The University has ambitious plans and I look forward to working with Professor Paul Croney and his team in helping to build Teesside into one of the most successful universities in the UK, through being brilliantly connected with what industry wants for the future.”

Lord Sawyer said: “It has been a real honour to serve as Chancellor at Teesside University and to support its mission to develop and apply knowledge that helps its students, partners and community to succeed. I wish Mr Drechsler every success in the role.”

Chairman of the Board of Governors, Alastair MacColl, added: “Lord Sawyer is a hard act to follow, but in Paul Drechsler we have the perfect advocate for the University who can help Teesside realise its ambition to be a University with an international reputation for academic excellence.”

Mr Drechsler, who graduated from the University of Dublin, Trinity College, with an (Honours) degree in Engineering Science, is married with three children. He is also a member of The Global Advisory Council of Trinity College Dublin and a member of Advisory Council of the charity promoting Youth Social Action; ‘Step up to Serve’.

Mr Drechsler is Chairman of the board of the charity Teach First and a board member of Business in the Community and of the UK International Chamber of Commerce. He was also the Chairman of the National Skills Funding Agency until September 2015.