A region of endless opportunities: Vision 31

The North East is brimming with “infectious positivity” and “endless opportunities” within a uniquely supportive business ecosystem.

That was the overriding message from multi-platform publisher NET’s headline VISION 31 London summit.

The event marked the latest chapter in NET’s mission to showcase and amplify the region’s economic regeneration, innovation and investment potential to the City.

Hosted by NET editor-in-chief Steven Hugill, the summit attracted nearly 100 guests to Aon’s Leadenhall Building headquarters to hear how the North East is redefining itself and boldly stepping into a future that will be defined by green energy, digital innovation and the UK’s newest AI Growth Zone.

Following a welcome address from Newcastle-born former Sony Interactive Entertainment president and chief executive Jim Ryan, the event’s first panel discussion – Shaping the Future: The Power of the North East – explored how the region has evolved into a thriving commercial landscape, driven by a close-knit business community, strong sector clusters and a growing sense of shared ambition.

The discussion ranged from the region’s position as the UK’s only net-exporter to rapid advances in offshore wind, high-speed data infrastructure and the rise of the space sector.

Tom Lawson, chief executive of Newcastle-based tech firm Opencast, said the North East is “far better set up for the future than many realise”, with high-speed internet connections and the emerging hyperscale data centre in Cambois, near Blyth.

He also highlighted the depth of the region’s digital ecosystem, from Government tech centres to major private sector employers, which has created a pool of people with “outside levels of experience” delivering national-scale projects.

He added: “You don’t have to be in London to deliver major programmes; we’ve proven we can do it from the North East.”

Tom found support from Natasha McDonough, founder and chief executive of Sunderland-based MMC Research, and vice president of the North East Chamber of Commerce.

Originally from London, Natasha moved to the North East 17 years ago, and told guests it had quickly become “home in every way”.

She said: “Every time I travelled north, I just had a better feeling – the coast, the people, the pace of life.

“You walk into an event in the North East and you’ll find professional services, engineering, manufacturing and tech all in the same room.

“It’s a genuinely collective ecosystem wherein everyone wants you to do well.”

Sarah Glendinning, director of business partnerships at Northumbria University, highlighted its involvement in the £50 million North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST), which is being delivered in partnership with the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin.

She said: “NESST is a £50 million vote of confidence in the region and the space sector.”

“The North East is already at the heart of this growth, with 81 companies operating directly in space and an even larger ecosystem around them.

“We used to build ships on the Tyne. Now we’re building spaceships.”

The pace of progress was reinforced by Frans Caljé, chief executive at Teesport operator PD Ports.

Like Natasha, he moved to the North East 17 years ago and said the change at Teesport has been “off the scale”, adding the industrial landscape has been transformed by rapid advances driven by the energy transition, manufacturing growth and new infrastructure.

He said: “If you’d told me back then that the area would look the way it does today, I’d never have believed it.”

“You don’t have to be in London to deliver major programmes; we’ve proven we can do it from the North East”

The second panel – Investing in the North East: A Launchpad for Success – focused on why the region is becoming a magnet for large-scale investment, from its designation as an AI Growth Zone to the rise of globally connected clusters in e-sports, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.

Andy Lawson, director of pre-development at QTS, spoke about the recently announced North East AI Growth Zone and QTS’ £10 billion data centre in Cambois, near Blyth, which will position the North East as one of Europe’s largest data centre hubs.

He said: “It’s not very often you come across a site with the characteristics of Cambois… sites like this are few and far between on a global level.”

He added the North East’s new AI Growth Zone “puts the region on the map internationally”, offering faster grid connections, potential energy cost reductions and a direct line to the Government.

In a similar vein, Dave Martin, senior vice president of the British Esports Federation, provided an insight into the reasons why the organisation chose to make Sunderland its home.

He highlighted its planned 15,000sq ft gaming and esports arena next to Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light, which will feature a 200-seat theatre and a 17-metre-wide LED screen, and is set to host the Esports World Cup and Olympic Esports Games.

Praising Sunderland City Council’s ambition, he said: “It took me about 20 minutes to know where the city was going.

“Everyone we met understood the opportunity – and they got after it.

“There’s an energy and positivity in the region that’s hard to find elsewhere.”

His point was reiterated by Peter Snaith, partner at international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, which has bases in Newcastle and Stockton, who highlighted the North East’s global reach and deepening international connectivity.

He said: “Little old Newcastle is still the biggest office in our entire UK-US network.

“And the region’s clusters bring business leaders around the same table.

“People share their experiences, their opportunities, challenges and genuinely want each other to succeed.”

Jen Hartley, assistant director of capital investment and growth at Newcastle City Council, said the North East’s defining strengths lie in its connectivity, its culture and its openness.

She added: “You become part of a family.

“People embrace you.

“People want to see you do well.

“And investors are always blown away by the splash they make when they arrive.

“When people come to the North East, they can’t believe the welcome they get.”