A company which opened an office in Middlesbrough in 2018 in anticipation of the unprecedented investment in industry, infrastructure and technology in the Tees Valley has joined the growing ranks of high-profile businesses moving to Centre Square.
The Frazer-Nash Consultancy said its new base will allow it to keep growing and – crucially – help recruit staff.
“We will struggle to attract talent from the wider North East if we’re not near good transport links and amenities, and being in the middle of town helps us hugely with that,” said Chris Jones, Group Leader in the North East.
His team of consultants specialise in the chemical process, rail and pharmaceutical industries. They develop, enhance and protect their clients’ critical assets, systems and processes.
Mr Jones was one of just two employees when Frazer-Nash decided to “find its feet” in the region by taking office space at the Materials Process Institute in South Bank. That number has now risen to nine. They are part of a business which has 1000 staff based in the UK and Australia. Last year Frazer-Nash was bought for $400m by US-based KBR which employs nearly 30,000 people across the globe.
Mr Jones identified the Grade A offices in Centre Square as the ideal next step not long after moving to Middlesbrough: “I looked at quite a few places and I saw Centre Square before we needed it. If COVID-19 hadn’t happened I suspect all of it would have been let.”
He added: “But we grew during the pandemic and reached the point of needing to move to a strategically better location.
“Without Centre Square I don’t think we’d have found anywhere else in Middlesbrough and might have had to cast a wider net.”
Frazer-Nash joins GB Bank, pension specialist XPS, Barristers and GB Bank in 2 Centre Square. Only 5,500 sq ft of the 34,000 sq ft building is still available.
Firstsource and Causeway Technologies occupy 1 Centre Square and next year 450 AXA UK staff will move to a new building – 6 Centre Square – which is half-way through construction. The Centre Square developer Ashall Projects has also obtained planning permission for a third phase.
Managing Director Mark Ashall said Frazer-Nash’s arrival underlines Centre Square’s standing as the new hub for business in the Tees Valley.
“All of these companies are bringing high quality jobs and much-needed spending power back to the heart of Middlesbrough, and that’s of huge benefit to the shops, restaurants and other businesses located in the town centre,” he said.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “The best office space in the region is right here in Middlesbrough, and it’s being snapped up by dynamic businesses with a real eye on the future.
“I’m delighted to welcome Frazer-Nash to Centre Square which will be the perfect setting for the company’s continued growth and development.
“These are challenging times for all of us, but that will never dent our desire to drive Middlesbrough forward as a regional powerhouse for jobs, enterprise and investment.”
Following a successful first year in Stockton on Tees, Hopefields Education CIC have made the move over the river and set up home at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Park. The move has kick-started an expansion for the company, resulting in creating new jobs for the area and improving the life chances for the young people which they serve.
Educating young people aged 11-19 with complex additional needs, Hopefields is an independent specialist provision, and a non-profit organisation with a moral purpose.
Director, Emily Greenhalgh states: “Hopefields have been strongly supported by Middlesbrough, especially Sally Hazelwood-McNair and the inclusion team. It seemed a logical point to be in the centre of the borough, and the middle of Teesside, working directly with schools and organisations committed to improving the life chances of our students.”
Alison Laws, Director, states Hopefields’ new building is going through significant renovation and development: ‘Hopefields are working tirelessly to change the landscape for those with special needs. The building is testament to the hard work of staff and students, who have given up their time during holidays and weekends to have everything ready for the coming academic year. Although further renovations are taking place during the summer holidays, we now have a useable, light and bright building which is our home for some time to come.’
As a trauma informed organisation, Hopefields are leading practitioners in approaches related to improving the social and emotional needs of children and young people. Visits to the organisation can be arranged by calling 01642 205233.
GB Bank has officially opened the doors to its prestigious headquarters at 2 Centre Square, Middlesbrough welcoming staff and prominent members of the local business and property community to its offices boasting inventive interiors and a dynamic co-working environment.
GB Bank will occupy 11,000 sq ft net of office accommodation in Middlesbrough’s purpose-built 2 Centre Square which will be the base for the 50 head office staff covering finance, risk, customer management, marketing, human resources, IT, lending, savings and more.
GB Bank is a new specialist bank committed to boosting economic growth and prosperity for underserved regions of the UK. It will be a dedicated lender to SME property developers, bringing its regional passion and expertise to customers across the UK. This will be achieved by providing accessible, bespoke property development loan products with incentives for sustainable and zero carbon developments and rewards for developers committed to creating local employment opportunities.
GB Bank has further local links thanks to its cornerstone investor, the Teesside Pension Fund (TPF), which has invested £48m to date. The TPF provided an initial £20m and agreed to invest up to an additional £28m, when GB Bank obtained its provisional banking licence which was achieved towards the end of last year, making it the newest challenger bank.
Stephen Lancaster, Interim CEO at GB Bank, said: “We believe that 2 Centre Square is a fantastic location for the bank, allowing us to draw upon the region’s established transportation network and to tap into the talent pool in Middlesbrough and across the North East. This is a very exciting time for GB Bank as we continue to scale up and define our operations and technology platforms. We are well on track to officially launch the bank to the market in the third quarter of this year when we will announce our property development lending criteria and competitive savings accounts. Bringing GB Bank to Middlesbrough is a real boost for the North East region benefiting the people we employ as well as the property developers we will work with.
“The design of the offices at 2 Centre Square has been superb, creating an office space into a creative, agile, and empowering environment to work. To have the opportunity to design our offices from scratch the way we want has been fantastic. We are delighted with the result which provides a relaxing working environment that is geared towards flexible working arrangements with welcoming break out areas and meeting rooms. This commitment was also recognised recently as #69 in the Flexa100 ranking of the world’s most flexible companies.
Using open plan design and neutral colour palette we have created an innovative ‘co-working’ space for our employees where we can also welcome property developers and customers too.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston added: “Centre Square is the North East’s premier office location, and that’s why ambitious, growing businesses like GB Bank are queuing up to move here.
“It’s just the latest endorsement for a development that’s creating jobs and prosperity and playing a key role in transforming the town centre.
“That’s a major boost for Middlesbrough, and one that’s delivering long-term benefits for the whole area.”
Mark Ashall, the Managing Director of Ashall Projects and developer of Centre Square, said: “I am delighted to welcome GB Bank to Centre Square and, as with all the other new occupiers, it’s great to see how they are using the fantastic space the building provides to create a stunning workplace and great working environment for members of its team.
“Centre Square has many other benefits – not least its proximity to local amenities, including the station with new direct rail services to London. With the construction of the next Centre Square building well underway, Middlesbrough town centre is rapidly becoming the new hub for business in the Tees Valley with all the many benefits that brings.”
For more information and to follow our journey please visit www.gbbank.co.uk
Middlesbrough-based end point assessment organisation (EPAO), 1st for EPA, is celebrating after becoming the first organisation in the UK to be accepted onto the Register of EPAOs to assess a new apprenticeship aimed at helping companies focus on sustainability and corporate responsibility.
The apprenticeship, Level 4 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner, is designed to innovate and drive ambitions for social and environmental change and is equivalent to a Higher National Certificate (HNC). Areas of focus can include carbon reduction, waste management, energy efficiency, fundraising and supply chains. This apprenticeship allows employers to access the latest thinking and have a practitioner ready to drive their Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability initiatives forward.
Speaking about the recognition for the business, Managing Director, Helen Shinner, said: “I am delighted to welcome the Level 4 apprenticeship to the standards that 1st for EPA assesses.
“In just a few years, we have grown to assess 13 apprenticeships across a range of business improvement disciplines. We very much see our approach as a challenge to the existing EPAO approach. We focus on transparency with support and guidance for apprentices, employers and providers. This ensures apprentices fully understand the expectations and can focus on showcasing skills instead of worrying about the assessment itself.”
The recognition comes as part of a drive from businesses across Teesside to place the area firmly at the heart of the ‘green revolution’, with work recently announced on a new net zero innovation centre in the region.
Helen continued: “This standard is a crucial one for today’s employment market. It will be instrumental in helping organisations shape and push forward their green initiatives, including commitments to net zero.
“We’re increasingly seeing companies, big and small, not living up to their own environmental standards and they are now being held accountable. It has increased the desire for effective corporate responsibility management within companies and makes this a very valuable skill set for apprentices to have.”
The apprentice’s role is to facilitate change and shape strategy to impact the greater good and typical job titles for apprentices on this standard include Corporate Social Responsibility Administrator, Sustainability Coordinator and Responsible Business Coordinator.
Middlesbrough’s prestigious Centre Square development is supporting the careers of thousands of people, including those who are building it.
Around 1,000 office staff will soon be working in the project’s first two buildings. In 2023 they will be joined by 450 employees of AXA UK who will be moving into the next building – Six Centre Square – which is already taking shape.
Further ahead, a future phase of the development is expected to accommodate another 1,000 workers.
Six Centre Square is being built by Bowmer+Kirkland (B+K), which has a North East base near Sunderland. A dozen sub-contractors, who are located within 50 miles of the construction site are also working on the project. Their contracts are worth more than £4.8m.
Twenty-three-year Danielle Blakey from Hartlepool started working for B+K when building work began in Centre Square in 2018.
She is a Trainee Quantity Surveyor and, in addition to her job, is in the final year of her Quantity Surveying degree course at Northumbria University in Newcastle. Danielle is also studying for a professional qualification.
“I would describe the quantity surveyor as the lawyer and banker on a job. I deal with the contracts and the money,” she said.
Danielle was studying Construction and the Built Environment at Hartlepool College of Further Education when B+K visited on a recruitment drive. Five students were selected for interview and Danielle got the job.
In October at an awards ceremony run by Generation for Change – the young professional voice of the UK built environment industry – Danielle was highly commended in the Trainee of the Year category.
She is an active member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), which aims to inspire young women to consider careers in construction, and visits schools and colleges to talk about her job.
Danielle mentors students – helping them write their CVs and prepare for interviews – and at Middlesbrough College took part in a panel discussion about stereotyping in the male-dominated construction industry where last year only around 15% of more than two million workers were women.
“I would recommend construction to anyone. There are so many opportunities for people – for both men and women,” she said. “I’ve met really nice people and been fortunate to work on some great jobs. Until you work in the industry I don’t think you can fully appreciate what goes into a project like this.”
As well as working on the three Centre Square buildings to date, Danielle was also part of the B+K team which built the new civic centre in Sunderland. “There’s a fantastic feeling of pride and achievement to know that you played a part in creating such great buildings,” she said.
B+K’s North East and Scotland Regional Director Ed Besford said Danielle is a major asset for the company because of the quality of her work and the example she sets.
“Danielle has only been with us a relatively short time but is already playing a key role in a major project. She is also a great ambassador for both our business and the construction industry as a whole,” he said.
The Centre Square developer Mark Ashall, of Ashall Projects, said the scheme will continue to have a far-reaching impact on jobs and the local economy, generating an estimated £120m every year.
“It means young people like Danielle get their first step on the career ladder and companies such as XPS – one of the first Centre Square occupiers – has the space to grow its business and take on more people.
“All the while those building Centre Square and the people who already work in the offices are using nearby shops, cafes, restaurants and bars and that trade is only going to grow as more companies move here.”
Six Centre Square is on schedule to be finished next year and a further phase of the development has already been given outline planning permission by Middlesbrough Council.
PD Ports has rounded off the month of March with a fourth award win in as many weeks after landing an internationally-recognised standard for its commitment to health and safety.
The port operator received GOLD status from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for the second consecutive year, and the third overall, for continuing to uphold the highest health and safety standards across its 12 nationwide locations.
The award completes a full house for PD Ports, which has also recently been awarded Maritime UK’s Business of the Year, CILT’s People Development Award and NEPIC’s Corporate Environmental trophy. PD Ports CEO, Frans Calje, was delighted that the Company had received national recognition in each of its key focus areas.
“Health and safety is central to everything we do and our number one aim is for everyone to return home safely to their families at the end of the working day. Awards such as this recognise just how far we have come in driving a safety-first philosophy across the Group,” said Frans.
“There is real momentum within PD Ports at the moment, as demonstrated by four award wins in as many weeks, and we must use that momentum to continue our proven track record of boosting economic growth, attracting long-term private investment at no cost to the public purse and creating high quality, permanent jobs.
“This is a fantastic time for all involved with PD Ports but our work is by no means complete – people development, health and safety, and sustainability will remain at the top of our agenda as we continue to drive this business forward and support the government’s levelling up agenda.”
Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world leaders in health and safety practice and, every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running health and safety industry awards.
Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work.
“By receiving this recognition PD Ports joins like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide, who represent the very best in their approach to health and safety. I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award – congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive up health and safety standards every day. You are a fantastic example to others in your sector.”
PD Ports will collect its award at the official ceremony held in London next month.
Tees Valley-based data science specialist company SeerBI today announced it has joined NVIDIA Inception, a programme designed to nurture start-ups that revolutionise industries with advancements in AI and data science.
SeerBI is focused on applying data science practices into legacy industries, such as transport and, more specifically, the maritime sector, to help them apply AI and machine learning to improve operations and productivity.
The business, which was founded in October 2021, provides data visualisation and business intelligence to help organisations become more innovative through the application of already held and collected data.
NVIDIA Inception helps start-ups during critical stages of product development, prototyping and deployment. Every NVIDIA Inception member gets a custom set of ongoing benefits, such as NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute credits, marketing support and technology assistance, which provides these businesses with the fundamental tools to help them grow.
With support from NVIDIA Inception, is able to provide a full-service solution from inception to integration.
NVIDIA Inception will allow SeerBI to gain access to world-class machine learning tools and models to further support its clients and the growth of the business.
Additionally, Inception provides opportunities for SeerBI’s team to receive training in cutting-edge technologies such as neural networks and robotics. Coupled with access to NVIDIA’s technology assistance programme, SeerBI can deliver cutting-edge technology directly to its clients.
Inception will also offer SeerBI the opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other AI-driven organisations.
Owain Brennan, 23, Founder and Managing Director of SeerBI, said: “NVIDIA Inception will add value to our existing expertise and provide additional benefits through its advancements and reputation in the world of machine learning and AI. The opportunity for a young start-up based in the Tees Valley to work with such a world-leading organisation is one that we could not pass up. We are very excited to build this relationship alongside playing our part in revolutionising the maritime industry.”
PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport and the largest private employer in the Tees Valley, has partnered with new initiative, Contractor Match, in a bid to provide a seamless path for business engagement and increase supply chain opportunities for local businesses within the region.
The new project aims to create equal chances for businesses based on their merits rather than just size and, with 80 per cent of its supply chain made up of SMEs, the collaboration was something PD Ports was keen to pursue.
Frans Calje, CEO at PD Ports, explained how Contractor Match’s ambitions align perfectly with the port operator’s own objectives. He said: “At PD Ports, we completely respect the drive and determination of smaller businesses and believe it is what sets the Tees Valley apart as the fantastic region that it is.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our business landscape but we, as large-scale private employers, also have a huge role to play in supporting their growth. PD Ports is wholly committed to providing support for the local supply chain and will continue to work alongside Contractor Match to promote opportunities and enable local business to prosper.”
PD Ports is amongst good company as a supporter of Contractor Match, with fellow Tees Valley businesses Wilton Engineering, The Mussel Club and Complete IT Solutions also demonstrating their commitment to promoting local opportunities.
The platform works on two levels; firstly by allowing larger organisations, such as PD Ports, to post opportunities and secondly, by allowing those signed up to the platform to receive notifications when such opportunities arise.
Stuart Davies and Marc Atkinson, co-founders of Contractor Match, explained just why it was so important to get businesses like PD Ports on board during the early stages.
“It is fantastic to have the support of PD Ports as such a forward-thinking company that puts the needs of smaller businesses to the forefront within its supply chain.
“Our innovative system places opportunities from larger companies, like PD Ports, directly at the fingertips of businesses within the region as soon as they are live, enabling real-time collaboration between all businesses for work opportunities in all sectors.”
Middlesbrough’s soaring up the European league table – and the best is yet to come.
That’s the message from Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston as the town’s burgeoning growth lands more international accolades.
The town has leapt to joint third place in the Financial Times’ European Cities and Regions of the Future report which ranks small cities with the best long-term investment potential.
The influential listing looks at potential for foreign direct investment (fDi), with Middlesbrough climbing strongly from ninth position in 2018/19.
The recognition highlights the town’s potential to attract foreign investment and showcases the area’s ambition and regeneration opportunities.
Data on economic potential, the local workforce and lifestyle, cost effectiveness, connectivity and business friendliness was assessed alongside a submission from Middlesbrough Council on its FDI strategy.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “This is yet another ringing endorsement for the huge leaps forward we’re making, and the boundless ambition we have for Middlesbrough.
“We know we’re a city in all but name, but this is independent validation of that aspiration, and proof that we’re a match for towns and cities across Europe and beyond.
“Our momentum is unstoppable, and accolades like this will only help generate further investment, jobs and prosperity.
“Despite the challenges of the past two years we’re cracking on and repositioning Middlesbrough as a regional hub for jobs, living and leisure.
“We’re building new homes and schools and attracting new businesses to the heart of our town.
“Within months the first new leisure developments in Captain Cook Square will open.
“Middlesbrough is making huge leaps forward in terms of investment, construction and, most importantly, jobs.
“And the best really is yet to come.”
The town’s emergence as a digital powerhouse with truly global reach is epitomised by state-of-the-art developments at Middlehaven which are already attracting high levels of interest from cutting-edge tech firms.
The £2.5 million Boho 8 complex was completed last year, with bespoke modular units providing additional space for rapidly expanding companies in Boho One and Boho 5, as well as attracting new digital and creative businesses to the area.
Work is also well under way on the striking £20m-plus seven-storey Boho X building.
Due for completion later this year, the building will act as a regional and national focal point for the digital sector, and as a catalyst for social, economic and environmental change across the region.
NorthLink Digital was one of the first firms to move into Boho 8 as part of its bold expansion plans.
Founder and chief executive officer Graham Orrell said the latest recognition underlined Middlesbrough’s momentum.
“Middlesbrough is becoming known as a place where digital businesses exist and are growing,” he said.
“Previously if you were thinking about tech hot spots in the North you would think about Leeds and Newcastle – now Middlesbrough is deservedly getting itself onto that list.”
Other runaway success stories include the Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park (TeesAMP) on Middlesbrough’s Riverside Park, with full occupation of the first phase set to trigger a second phase which will bring further innovative manufacturing companies to the region.
More information is available on the We are Middlesbrough website.
PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, has proudly been awarded the International Standard for Business Continuity Management, demonstrating the resilience of the port operator despite the challenges of the last 24 months.
ISO: 22301 accreditation recognises business that can demonstrate the ability to mitigate damage and continue operating even in the event of any potential disruption or emergency situations.
As the Statutory Harbour Authority for the River Tees and operator of the fifth largest port in the UK, the port operator has placed a renewed importance on business resilience in recent months which has allowed the Company to successfully and seamlessly continue operating following BREXIT and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
Frans Calje, PD Ports CEO, said: “At PD Ports, we are committed to protecting our people, our customers and all those associated with our business.
“As we are also the legal guardians of the River Tees, responsible for safe vessel traffic management, we appreciate that disruptive events can – and do – occur but also that our ability to respond and recover is of the upmost importance.
“This accreditation is a fantastic achievement. I am immensely proud of the team and how this recognition demonstrates our ability to manage any potential disruptions which is not only good for our own business but also makes us an attractive and reliable business partner for our customers.”
PD Ports initially set out its robust plans to boost resilience back in early 2020, partnering with business continuity, resilience and crisis management specialists Horizonscan to build and formalise its procedures and enhance training across the business.
Following the successful partnership, not only did the port operator achieve the standard but it also passed the audit process with a remarkably rare zero advisories, further reinforcing PD Ports’ superior reputation for excellence.
Shane McMahon, Lead Consultant at Horizonscan, said: “The successful certification is well deserved recognition for the hard work and leadership commitment shown at all levels within PD Ports.
“For the small Horizonscan programme team this has been a highly successful and enjoyable partnership. The joint programme team remain committed and are already busy building on the certification success.”
PD Ports and Horizonscan also earned the Strategy through Partnership Award at the 2021 CIR Awards for their continued collaboration.
