A Teesside-based AI company supported by an innovative accelerator programme has secured landmark deal with a global technology specialist.
Middlesbrough firm Seer has sold its AI workflow platform Flytta – a digital joint venture it runs with Casper Shipping – to London-based AI technology company Sedna.
Flytta is an automated digital trade product which cuts customs processing time for goods into the UK. It allows businesses to process thousands of customs declarations instantly using AI models.
Seer has been part of the Forge programme through Tees Valley Labs – a 12-week accelerator delivered by Teesside business consultancy Alt Labs, on behalf of the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, which has helped companies primed to scale up and attract significant investment.
Flytta originated as an in-house solution at Casper Shipping, designed to streamline internal operations before being further refined and commercialised by Seer into a scalable AI-powered workflow platform.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Having a company at the cutting-edge of technology and trade striking a big international deal is brilliant – and this shows the sheer amount of talent and expertise we have on Teesside.
“There is a concerted push to put AI industries at the forefront of how we grow as a nation – and this takeover shows how businesses are forging ahead, developing and growing right on our doorstep. It’s also great that Seer has been part of our Forge programme which has helped steer their growth and tapped into their expertise.
“This is great news for Seer, Casper Shipping and Teesside – and I hope Flytta continues to have more success on the back of this takeover.”
The deal expands Sedna’s UK presence with a new office in the Tees Valley, with the company investing in the region’s growing AI talent base to accelerate product development.
The Flytta acquisition means Sedna now has six offices around the globe in Athens, Cape Town, Copenhagen, London, Singapore and Middlesbrough.
“We’re excited to open our new Middlesbrough office, tapping into the exceptional talent in Northern England to drive the next wave of AI innovation in global trade,” said Bill Dobie, CEO of Sedna.
“This investment strengthens our AI capabilities while reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in digital trade transformation.”
Michael Shakesheff, MD of Casper Group, said: “Flytta began as an internal innovation within Casper Shipping, addressing real-world operational challenges.
“With Seer’s expertise, it evolved into a scalable product, and now, through Sedna’s ambitious AI vision, it has the opportunity to drive transformation across the broader maritime and trade industries.”
Support for the Tees Valley Labs programme is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Imran Anwar, Tees Valley Business Board lead for the Digital Economy and CEO and Founder of Alt Labs, said: “Sedna’s acquisition of Flytta marks a transformative step forward in the use of AI in the global shipping industry. The development of this technology highlights the groundbreaking digital work taking place in the Tees Valley.
“Seer have been part of the Forge cohort of Tees Valley Labs programme, and I’m delighted to see the groundbreaking opportunities this partnership will bring to the growth of Seer, and the longer-term growth in the Tees Valley.
“By combining Seer’s innovative spirit with Sedna’s strategic vision, it’s not just merging two companies, they’re setting the benchmark of technological advancement, growth and inward investment to the region.”
A Teesside business is marking a significant milestone, celebrating 10 years of dedicated service.
SNE Care Services was founded in 2015 by Mao Musonza, who moved from Zimbabwe to Middlesbrough to pursue a business degree at Teesside University. Upon graduating, Mao worked as a homecare assistant and quickly recognised an opportunity to combine his business expertise with his passion for caregiving.
Since its inception, SNE Care has experienced steady growth, expanding with offices in Northallerton in 2019 and Redcar in 2021.
Founder Mao Musonza said: “I started SNE in 2015 with the goal of not only achieving personal success, but also empowering people from all backgrounds to thrive and helping the local community maintain their independence and live their best lives at home,”
“It’s hard to believe it’s already been 10 years; it feels like we’re just getting started.”
Tracey Hugill, Registered Manager at SNE, shared her experience with the company. “I began working for SNE 10 years ago starting as a care assistant. I’ve progressed throughout the company and have been in my registered manager role for the past four years.
“I love my job, my colleagues, and our clients. We have great opportunities and many team-building activities outside of work, which are fantastic for building rapport with employees. We’re a growing company that embraces new challenges, and that’s what I enjoy most about working here.”
SNE Care now serves the Teesside area and North Yorkshire and plans to expand further in the coming year.
A modern new office has welcomed 80 staff from a leading travel company in the heart of Middlesbrough.
Six Centre Square will host teams from brands including First Choice, Holiday Hypermarket and Holidays for Heroes, which sit within the wider TUI Group, in a new 4,500 sq ft base in Middlesbrough town centre.
Up to 80 staff from the web development team, contact centre and sales and marketing departments will use the grade A office space.
Six Centre Square was built by developer Ashall Projects after the Combined Authority pumped £9.7million into the four-storey project.
Middlesbrough Council also contributed £2million of its £21.9million Towns Fund from Central Government.
Insurance giant AXA UK moved into the office in 2023 with 500 staff at the 40,000 sq ft town centre base.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is another boost to our efforts in Middlesbrough – and it’s great to see the First Choice teams committing to this modern new office in the heart of the town.
“Our Development Corporation is taking strides to pump new life into Middlesbrough after decades of stagnation.
“And our airport has a strong relationship with TUI when it comes to holiday flights.
“The decision to create Six Centre Square was a no-brainer – and this is another example of how our work has paid off.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “Six Centre Square has already proven a great success and I’m delighted that TUI has recognised Middlesbrough’s long-term potential.
“The move complements one of our key aims at Middlesbrough Council – to attract businesses, create jobs and build a successful and ambitious town.”
Kevin Nelson, Managing Director of First Choice, said: “We’re proud to have had members of our First Choice business based in the North East for 22 years, and it was important to us that we maintained our Northern roots when looking for a new office space.
“Six Centre Square is a great fit for the team thanks to the modern facilities, central location and fantastic transport links. This new space will allow us to work collaboratively and flexibly, which aligns well with our ways of working here at First Choice.”
The team behind Middlesbrough’s highly popular Holiday Inn Express hotel is creating a new accommodation concept for the town, where guests will enjoy “home from home plus” affordable luxury.
Developer Ashall Projects and the other major investors who opened the hotel nearly 10 years ago are now launching Station Suites: 42 spacious apartments which will be ready in the Spring.
They are spending £1.7m on a major refurbishment and upgrade programme over six floors of the Crown House building on Linthorpe Road, close to Middlesbrough Railway Station. The serviced apartments there used to trade as Dream Suites.
At the same time a £1m enhancement of all 159 rooms at the Holiday Inn Express has been carried out.
The double investment is being made as a response to concerns, voiced by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and others, about the lack of accommodation to cater for the influx of workers and visitors involved in giant projects such as Net Zero Teesside and the Darlington Economic Campus.
“The Holiday Inn continues to do a great job in looking after people who might be coming to Middlesbrough for a relatively short stay,” said Ashall Projects’ Managing Director Mark Ashall. “Station Suites will provide somewhere different, particularly if guests are going to be away from home for a number of days.”
There will be 33 apartments which, at 25m2, are about a third bigger than the average hotel room. There are also six bigger suites – they will be 33m2 – and three two-bedroom apartments.
“Station Suites will offer them a home from home plus,” said Mr Ashall. “That’s just not about the excellent quality of the rooms, we think it’s really important to provide a complete service. So, for example, there will be a member of staff on site 24 hours a day. You rarely get this in other serviced apartments and, of course, never in an Airbnb.”
Station Suites is a short walk from the station, with its links to London, and a stone’s throw from Middlesbrough town centre.
When they arrive guests will receive a welcome food pack and on the ground floor they will find a reception, a large comfortable seating and dining area – where they can also hold informal meetings or just relax – a pantry and a bar serving drinks and snacks.
The refurbishment of the rooms started in January and they will all be fitted with new furniture, including a king size bed. Each suite will have a kitchen area with a microwave, kettle and sink.
Station Suites will be managed by the award-winning team from the Holiday Inn Express which is located just a short distance away and it will adopt the same high environmental standards as the hotel.
Ashall Projects is looking at other projects in the area and is inviting companies who have secured contracts across the Tees Valley to discuss their accommodation needs.
“Everybody welcomed the wave of announcements about new jobs on Teesside, but they were also quick to raise concerns about a skills shortage. There’s also a serious room shortage,” warned Mr Ashall.
“It’s going to take a while to provide a local workforce with the training they’ll need to carry out the new roles required by Net Zero Teesside, for instance. In the meantime those people with the suitable experience, their support staff and consultants will be arriving in their thousands from outside the area and they’re going to need somewhere to stay.”
He added: “They expect high standards. They want space, comfort and as near to a home-from-home experience as possible – and we think we’re providing something even better than that at Station Suites.”
Ashall Projects has made a major impact on Middlesbrough town centre during the last decade. As well as opening the Holiday Inn Express, it has built three office buildings where around 1,500 people now work.
Clearanswer, one of the UK’s leading contact centre specialists, is expanding its operations by opening a third office in Middlesbrough.
This expansion will create 120 new customer service and sales jobs, providing exciting career opportunities for local residents.
The company has acquired 5,000 sq ft of office space in the prestigious 16/26 Albert Road building. This marks another significant step for Clearanswer, which currently employs over 1,000 people in its Hull and Leeds offices.
The new location is expected to open by the end of March. Jomast are currently refitting the space into a modern, fully refurbished contact centre designed to offer employees a high-quality working environment with state-of-the-art facilities.
The expansion represents a significant milestone in Clearanswer’s ambitious growth strategy. This rapidly growing company is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and sales support to some of the UK’s largest and most recognisable brands.
Middlesbrough has been chosen as the new location due to its strong local workforce and similarities to Hull, where the company’s largest site is situated. The town’s demographic profile makes it an ideal setting for a successful contact centre, and this investment is expected to greatly benefit the local economy by attracting more people to the area, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the job market.
Steve Dunk, Co-owner of Clearanswer, said, “Middlesbrough presents an exciting opportunity for us. We are not just opening an office; we are also committed to long-term growth in the region and look forward to becoming an integral part of the local business community.
“The area’s talented workforce and strong community values align perfectly with our company culture.”
Clearanswer is currently recruiting for customer service and sales roles at its Middlesbrough location. These positions provide excellent career development opportunities, full training, and the chance to work with a company known for its supportive and friendly workplace culture.
The roles offer competitive salaries, performance-related bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package. Applications are now open, and the first training cohort is scheduled to begin in early April 2025.
Jomast began transforming Albert Road into Albert North over six years ago, and with the support of Middlesbrough Council, the area has significantly benefited from the regeneration.
Many of the town’s iconic buildings along the road have been renovated, turning the area into a vibrant commercial district that houses numerous world-leading companies and local independents. Clearanswer is joining an ever-expanding business community that includes Big Bite, Behaviour, Wander Films, Salesfire, Techquity, Mabo and Alt Labs.
Mark Hill, the commercial property director at Jomast, said, “Since we started regenerating Albert Road, the response has been tremendous, and its transformation into Albert North has become a real success story.
“We are delighted to welcome another ambitious and growing business to Albert North. With only a few upper floors available, our focus is on attracting operators to the remaining ground-floor units.
“We recently welcomed the new café Undergo, which joins Alkaline Kitchen, King B, Salon Twenty-One, Derma Advanced Aesthetics, and Flok, and would like to add more service operators, such as independent retailers, cafés, bars, and restaurants,” Mark added.
Individuals interested in joining the Clearanswer team can apply directly via the company’s website.
Companies seeking to partner with an award-winning UK contact centre for their customer service and sales solutions can contact Clearanswer at info@clearanswer.co.uk to discuss how they can support their business growth and customer experience goals.
Anyone interested in leasing units in Albert North should contact Jomast on 01642 666 936 or visit www.albertnorth.co.uk for more details.
One of Middlesbrough’s most historic buildings can now be brought back to life after funding for its restoration was secured.
The Old Town Hall in the town’s original heart, St Hilda’s, has stood empty for almost 30 years.
Restoration of the Grade II listed building can now go ahead thanks to more than £4.5m of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, along with £1.8m of existing Government funding.
Members of Middlesbrough Council’s Executive accepted the grant and approved plans for the site at a meeting on January 8.
Proposals will see the building’s 1960s modifications demolished and a new, modern extension built alongside urgently needed structural work. The original clock tower will also be restored and brought back into working order.
A refurbished Old Town Hall, designed by adaptive re-use specialists Group Ginger architects, will offer more than 7,000 sq ft of office accommodation for Middlesbrough’s thriving digital sector.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “The Old Town Hall is a key part of Middlesbrough’s heritage and I am delighted that we’ve now been given the opportunity to safeguard it for future generations in our town.
“Bringing the building back into use will help continue the regeneration of such an important and historic part of Middlesbrough.
“I want to commend Council officers who have worked hard to engage with members of the public and secure the vital funding needed. We are grateful to the Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for making this possible.”
Cllr Theo Furness, Executive member for Development, said: “What we now call Middlehaven was where modern-day Middlesbrough started and the Old Town Hall was at the very centre of life as the town grew from humble beginnings into a booming heart of the industrial revolution.
“The building was famously captured in a painting by L.S. Lowry in 1959 and is recognisable and well-loved as a symbol of our town.
“I can’t wait to see the building restored to its former glory and now contribute to one of the town’s new boom industries.”
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is fantastic news that we’re supporting the restoration of one of Middlesbrough’s most historic buildings, the Old Town Hall.
“Saving heritage is a priority for the Heritage Fund and thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this project will safeguard the Old Town Hall’s future by bringing it back into use and engaging local communities with its important heritage.”
The Old Town Hall was first opened in 1846 as Middlesbrough grew rapidly thanks to the iron and later steel industries, centred around the River Tees.
Bringing it back into use will further support the regeneration of the area, which is home to the Boho digital cluster including the new Boho X building, new homes, Middlesbrough College and a planned new secondary school.
The town’s digital industry ranks as the sixth fastest growing tech base in the UK and the Old Town Hall refurbishment will supply a pipeline of the right type of accommodation to help the sector continue to grow.
Opportunities for members of the public to engage with the heritage of the building will be available, led by Seven Architecture, with more details to come as the project develops.
Employees at one of Teesside’s leading companies are brightening up Christmas for children who get very little this time of year.
Thanks to the efforts of a married couple who work for Paralloy in Billingham, colleagues donated an Aladdin’s Cave of presents to the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas charity to ensure some of the region’s poorest children receive a gift.
Machine Shop Administrator Tammy Waters and her husband Rob, who is a Lab Technician, heard about the appeal as they drove to work.
“We know it’s been a very difficult time for lots of people and the idea of a child waking up with no Christmas present is so sad, so we thought we had to do something,” she said.
“It’s been wonderful – the response we’ve had from everybody here has just been fantastic.”
The couple were also helped by the Beanie Games toy shop in Stockton which provided games free of charge as well as offering discounts.
Between Paralloy’s sites in Billingham and Middlesbrough – as well its staff in Sheffield who collected gifts on behalf of the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal – the company’s employees have donated more than 500 presents for children of all ages, from babies to teenagers.
HR Manager Ian Grimes said: “We’re fortunate to have good jobs and can afford to buy presents for our children, but we know that there are a lot of people in this region who are not so well off. That’s why all through the year, and particularly at Christmas, we are on our own mission to connect with our communities.”
This year, for example, the Paralloy Group has supported the Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club, allowing it to continue to provide sailing experiences for young people. It has bought kits and uniforms for Stockton Football Club’s youth team and Hartlepool Dance Crews. The company has sponsored Billingham’s Rugby team, an all-women elite cycling team – Team Boompods – The Apprentice of the Year Award at Hartlepool College as well as the engineering department at Middlesbrough’s Trinity Catholic College.
Paralloy has also hosted careers days with the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, provided work experience for T-Level placements for Middlesbrough College and increased its intake of apprenticeships to 17 across the group.
The apprentices are working with a team regarded as one of the industry leaders, specialising in the manufacture and fabrication of high-quality, precision-engineered components for industries including petro-chemical, aerospace, power generation and transport.
“Our aim is to make Paralloy more visible to the world, but at the same time we think it’s really important to support our local community,” said Ian
“We’re connecting with our potential future employees, young adults or people already working that wish to pursue a career in engineering. But as well as growing our own talent we want to make a significant contribution to the growth of Teesside, particularly in the engineering sector.”
He added: “It’s been a fantastic 2024 for Paralloy but we’re only too aware that it has continued to be a tough year for many people in the region and that is why we will always do our best to help.”
Paralloy Group received a King’s Award for Enterprise for excellence in International Trade and has recruited around 160 employees in the past 12 months.
In the summer the Paralloy Group bought the French company Manoir and its UK business Hi-Tech Fabrication, doubling the number of staff throughout all the businesses to around 1,100.
Middlesbrough’s Dundas Indoor Market has announced details of an action packed run up to Christmas.
As well as special seasonal markets and a visit by Santa, it is has just unveiled a major extension, welcomed new traders and is even hosting a live concert.
Market Manager David Harris said: “This will be my 10th Christmas here and I’ve never seen anything like it.”
It has all started with the opening of additional space created by the Market’s takeover of the old Fulton’s Food shop, which shut down in 2021.
The hugely popular soccer memorabilia business ASB Football Shirts has moved to a larger shop there from its current spot in the Market. It has been joined by PM Toys and Collectables which opened three years ago and is also taking over one of the bigger new units.
The extension is accommodating four new retailers: Vintage 101, which sells retro and current fashions; memorial gifts and keepsakes will be provided by Heaven on Earth; Sharon’s Handmade Crafts will be showcasing bespoke handmade gifts, and – for something a bit different – the alternative and quirky gift shop Bloody Creations is also opening.
Freed up space in the older part of the Market is going to be occupied by two other traders: Gifts 4 U, selling homewares and furniture, and Baby Beautiful making its seasonal return to Dundas with its lifelike Reborn Dolls.
“By creating new units and helping our occupiers move to bigger ones there are still opportunities for other traders to start their businesses here or relocate from somewhere else,” said Mr Harris, who is keen to hear from a fruit and veg seller, a florist, a men’s barber and a mobile phone retailer.
The start of December sees the first of the Christmas Markets take place in the Dundas Shopping Centre mall for three days from Friday 6th to Sunday 8th. The second Christmas Market runs from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd.
On the first Saturday of the month – the 7th – the Indoor Market will again be taking part in Small Business Saturday UK, where people are encouraged to “shop local”. The next day – Sunday 8th – Santa will be around from 2-3pm to meet children and hand out presents.
Throughout a festive December children will be able to take part in Christmas competitions and from late November until the end of the year the Centre again becomes part of Middlesbrough’s fantastic Walking with the Snowman trail.
In addition to all of the tradition, the second Promoting Local free live concert is being held on Saturday 21 December.
The first one in October showcased six of the brightest musical talents on Teesside – from singer/songwriters to heavy rock bands – and was part of Dundas’ on-going campaign to introduce its customers to the work of some extremely gifted local artists.
“We’ll be announcing the line up in due course,” said Mr Harris, who added “Even though there’s so much going on over the next few weeks, some things stay the same: if you’re looking for value for money and a gift you can’t find anywhere else, Dundas is the place for you.”
Middlesbrough has cemented itself as the leading tech hub outside of London, according to the latest 2024 UK Tech Jobs Report.
Ranking sixth overall in the UK, with a strong score of 80.07, Middlesbrough is also recognised as the country’s fastest-growing tech destination, reinforcing its position as a key player in the country’s rapidly expanding technology landscape.
While currently home to 165 tech firms, a figure lower than other leading areas, Middlesbrough’s sector is growing at a rate of 13.79% – the highest growth rate in the country.
This surge demonstrates that Middlesbrough is increasingly being seen as a tech hub, attracting both startups and established companies looking to leverage its growing infrastructure and talent pool.
Despite tech jobs representing a smaller portion of the local workforce (2.7%), recent data shows that tech salaries are on the rise in Middlesbrough, with an 8.46% pay increase reported.
In addition to its booming tech sector, the report by Eskimoz said that Middlesbrough offers an excellent work-life balance, with residents enjoying a short average daily commute distance of just 56,434 km per year. This makes the town particularly attractive for tech professionals seeking career growth and quality of life.
By ranking first outside of London – behind only City of London, Westminster, Camden, Hackney and Islington – Middlesbrough continues to draw attention as a top destination for tech firms and professionals alike.
With a combination of rapid growth, rising wages and excellent living conditions, the report adds that the town “is poised to become one of the UK’s most sought-after locations for tech innovation”.
Middlesbrough’s local tech successes include global games developers Double Eleven, who occupy the entirety of the impressive Boho X building (pictured) in Middlesbrough, fellow games gurus Radical Forge, who have twice been named as one of the region’s fastest growing businesses in the annual VelociTees awards, and 2024 Tees Tech Company of the Year Behaviour UK, based in the town but part of the Canadian games giant.
The town is also base to SaaS (sales as a service) specialists Salesfire – whose CEO Rich Himsworth was Business Leader of the Year at both the Tees Tech Awards and Tees Business Awards in 2023 – and ITS, one of Europe’s most respected automation and management information system providers, founded by former Tees Tech Business Leader Malcolm Knott.
The wider Teesside area includes eCommerce software solutions specialists Visualsoft, software solutions firm Fitfactory, whose CEO Jason Pritchard is the reigning Tees Tech Business Leader, 2024 Tees Tech Small Business of the Year Tricore Technical Services, a powerhouse in digital solutions and specialist offshore installations, and energy data specialist EnAppSys, another past winner of the Tees Tech Company of the Year accolade.
Cygnet Law, a prominent family and property law firm with offices in Redcar and Middlesbrough, are proud to announce an impressive double award success, reinforcing its reputation as a leading legal employer in the North East. September marked a milestone achievement for Cygnet Law, as the firm was honoured with the Training and Apprenticeship Award at the Tees Businesswomen Awards. This accolade recognises Cygnet Law’s dedicated efforts in developing female talent through structured apprenticeship programmes and ongoing staff development initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to career-building pathways for young women in law.
With over 90% of its workforce being women, Cygnet Law continues to empower its team through a tailored development pathway that supports employees from entry-level apprenticeships to fully qualified solicitor roles. The firm’s structured programme not only enhances the skills of team members but also builds a solid foundation for future leaders in the legal profession.
Adding to this achievement, Cygnet Law was also awarded the prestigious Legal Employer of the Year award at the North East Business Hero Awards, presented during the FB Fashion Ball in Newcastle on 24th October. This accolade acknowledges Cygnet Law’s remarkable dedication to creating a supportive, inclusive, and empowering workplace environment.
“These awards reflect Cygnet Law’s dedication to empowering our team members and fostering an environment where they can grow and succeed,” said Stacey Phoenix, Director and Head of Public Law at Cygnet Law. “We are deeply committed to supporting apprentices and professionals alike, equipping them with skills to deliver exceptional service to our clients and contribute meaningfully to the North East legal community.”
Furthering its commitment to the community, Cygnet Law offers a valuable service through weekly drop-in sessions at their Middlesbrough office and Loftus Town Hall, where members of the public can receive free legal advice on matters such as domestic violence, housing issues, and family law. These sessions provide accessible support to individuals who may be experiencing hardship or legal challenges and reflect Cygnet Law’s mission to make legal guidance available to all, regardless of their circumstances.
The firm also partners with various local charities, including Dementia Action Teesside and domestic violence support organisations, and actively participates in community initiatives through will-writing schemes in support of the Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research. With its ongoing engagement in pro bono work and free 30-minute consultations, Cygnet Law remains dedicated to making a meaningful difference within its community.
For more information on Cygnet Law’s services including information on their drop in sessions. Visit www.cygnetlaw.co.uk or follow Cygnet Law on Facebook.
