The land of opportunity

In business, making connections is key to success.

With strong relationships and strategic partnerships come opportunities for growth, innovation and new beginnings.

Leading the way in connecting people, property and funding advice across County Durham is Business Durham.

As the business support service for Durham County Council, it works with companies of all shapes and sizes to ensure the county is a great place for businesses to start up, grow and relocate.

Managing director Sarah Slaven credits theproactive work of her team and Business  Durham’s longevity as a key factor in helping it build successful relationships.

She says: “Business Durham is here for the long-term.

“We work closely with other key partners and hold long-term relationships, which is important in allowing us to deliver what we do.

“Our focus is to support all businesses, no matter their size, sector or location, in County Durham – anyone can talk to us and find out how we can help.”

A cornerstone of that support is Business Durham’s extensive property portfolio, which includes managed offices and industrial units across the county.

Its flagship site, North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield, recently completed its third phase of development, reinforcing its status as a national hub for science, technology and research and development.

Fresh from winning two high-value contracts to supply Elon Musk’s Space X venture, micro communications maker Filtronic is the first tenant to take space in phase three, to enable the company to expand from its established base elsewhere on the site.

Sarah says: “NETPark is focused on key sectors where County Durham can compete – life sciences, defence, cybersecurity, materials and the space and satellite industry are very important.

“Filtronic’s success demonstrates how NETPark and its facilities are putting the right infrastructure in place for companies in the space sector to grow and develop.”

While NETPark often grabs headlines, Business Durham offers high-quality commercial space across the length and breadth of the county, providing a key source of office space for

smaller organisations.

Other eye-catching developments include the rejuvenated Aykley Heads site in Durham City – set to become a fintech, digital and artificial intelligence hub – and a new rural business base set in a former primary school inRookhope, near Stanhope, in the heart of the Durham Dales.

“We operate in the property space that themarket often doesn’t cater for – smaller units where it can be more difficult for the private sector to make a commercial return on development,” says Sarah.

She adds: “For larger premises, we work with private providers to attract bigger companies looking to grow or relocate.

“Premises are key to helping businesses scale and become sustainable.”

As one of the largest counties in England, a key challenge for the Business Durham team is ensuring potential investors understand the area and what it has to offer beyond Durham City’s world-famous heritage and academic attractions.

A new place campaign aims to broaden the horizons of businesses looking to relocate to the area, which includes visits from a number of international delegations to check out the facilities on offer in key sectors.

Also offering up new opportunities and connections is the North East Combined Authority, which links County Durham with six other local authorities in the north of the region to create one voice.

Improved transport links and support for the rural economy are just two areas where Business Durham has been able to share best practice and lobby for investment.

Sarah says: “We want County Durham at the top of the list for companies and investors looking to move to the UK.

“Our role is to make connections – at its heart, business is all about building networks and working with people.

“We work with companies to understand their aspirations and opportunities, as well as the hurdles they are facing.

“The team at Business Durham is curious; they love going to businesses and finding out what they are doing.

“And, once we know, we can connect that business into any support structures that might be beneficial.

“Our role is to make things a bit easier for businesses or maybe help them solve a problem, such as a lack of space or grant support to help them invest.

“Growth comes from the businesses – and we are here to support them.”