The North East is poised to play a central role in the UK’s artificial intelligence revolution through the £30 billion AI Growth Zone announced in early autumn. At the venture’s core is Stargate UK — a transatlantic collaboration between Nscale, OpenAI and NVIDIA designed to accelerate technology adoption from Newcastle’s Cobalt Park — and QTS’ planned £10 billion data centre in Cambois, near Blyth. What does this headline wave of investment say about the region’s place in the global digital landscape, and how will it write a new chapter in the North East’s storied industrial legacy?

Nat Edington, chief executive at Sedgefield-based radio frequency parts maker Filtronic, reflects on the firm’s spate of headline global contract successes, the continued value of its NETPark home and how the business is planning to maintain its growth trajectory across 2026 and beyond.

From further fall-out in the argument about what it takes to be a true patriot, to the impact on the North East of stalled shipping sustainability plans, Steven Hugill looks at some of the stories affecting the region’s news agenda.

After a bruising year defined by policy U-turns and leadership upheaval, the Autumn Budget represents a moment of truth for the Government. What measures must Chancellor Rachel Reeves include in the headline late November fiscal blueprint to convince businesses, markets and voters that Labour still has a credible plan for growth?

The NET 250 will return next year to once again spotlight the North East’s most dynamic and successful organisations. Revealing the region’s top 250 businesses by turnover, the event – set to take place in a new venue – will also include a host of new award categories.