Our Work
Our Role
One North East works to grow the region's economy and make it sustainable and competitive for the future. Business support and development is at the heart of what we do. We work closley with public sector partners, particularly local authorities, to achieve maximum return for regional business and the wider economy.
Encouraging the growth of the private sector and more business invesment in North East England is a priority, so too is making sure the people of the region benefit from its improved prosperity.
Business
One North East offers a comprehensive range of quality support for businesses in the region. We encourage entrepreneurs, innovation and business growth by ensuring companies have access to finance, opportunities and intelligence.
Supporting today's businesses through the recession
We acted decisively to support the region's firms through the economic downturn. This included a £10m Transition Loan Fund and health checks for over 4,000 firms delivered via Business Link.
Supporting the industries of the future
Investing in strategic projects to support the longer-term restructuring of our economy, and develop key industries such as low carbon vehicles, offshore wind, printable electronics and industiral biotechnology.
Attracting new business and investment to the region
Last year our inward investment and aftercare team secured 53 inward investments for the region, leading to the creation of almost 3,000 jobs.
Helping North East businesses to grow
Developing one of the UK's most comprehensive ranges of grant, loans and equity funding to support regional firms at every stage of their evolution. A £125m JEREMIE regional venture capital fund, the first in England, is launched in 2010.
People
We believe the biggest asset of the region is its people. A more diverse, knowledge driven economy will only be created across the region if the adult workforce and young people entering the labour market aquire additional skills.
Real Help campaign and response groups
We led a campaign with public sector partners across the region to present a clear message of the support available to people during the recession. We have also led the public sector response groups to support Northern Rock, Nissan and Corus.
Productivity and Participation - Higher Level Skills
We invest in key skills providers, such as the Process Industries National Skills Academy, the Skills Academy Gateshead and the Newcastle Aviation Academy. We lead partners via Skills North East to increase the quantity, quality and economic relevance of skills in the region, whilst ensuring skills investment in the region is aligned.
Employability and Economic Participation
We have led a major project to help improve the impact of public spending on employment training - the Regional Employability Framework (REF). We have also invested in helping people move off incapacity benefit and into work.
Place
One North East aims to increase levels of productivity and participation and ultimately achieve sustainable, inclusive economic growth. This needs to be underpinned by investment in the physical fabric of the region, which will support the growth of business and the development of people.
Regenerating the region
Working with public and private sector partners to maximise the economic benefit of our strategic capital investments - South Shields Riverside, River Tyne North Bank, Berwick upon Tweed, Blyth, Durham City Vision, rural market towns and those delivered by Tees Valley Regeneration, Sunderland arc and 1NG.
Property Extended Enterprise
Forming innovative regeneration Public Private Partnerships: onsite North East (with Langtree plc) - developing and managing our development land portfolio; Buildings for Business (with UK Land Estates) - developing and managing our business accommodation portfolio.
Tourism
Working with Area Tourism Partnerships and via Tourism Network North East to invest in, market and suppor thte region's tourism sector - helping to grow our visitor economy by 30% in the last five years. Major projects recently supported include:
- Great North Museum
- Saltholm Wildlife & Discovery Centre
- Bowes Museum
- Seaton Delaval Hall
