OPINION
TeesTalk
We asked eight of those voted by our readers as the most inspiring Tees business leaders to give us all reason to believe – why will 2021 be so much better than 2020 for the Tees Business region ?
JANE TURNER OBE , PROFESSOR OF ENTERPRISE AND PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR , TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY Despite this year taking a very different turn , we have not lost momentum nor sight of our collective task , which is to continue to position the Tees Valley as a region that is on a mission and very determined to unleash our enormous potential .
Huge strategic projects have continued to gain traction , including the development of Britain ’ s first decarbonised industrial cluster at Teesworks , our freeport ambition , being identified as the UK ’ s first hydrogen transport hub and plans to become the UK ’ s premier offshore wind location . I ’ m very confident that we ’ ll “ level up ” as we continue on the front foot , seizing opportunities and shaping our destiny .
JANE ARMITAGE , MANAGING PARTNER , JACKSONS LAW FIRM You only have to read Tees Business regularly to see there are so many exciting projects being developed in the Tees Valley at the moment and to feel optimistic about 2021 .
We were all thrown the curveball of the pandemic in 2020 but , with the news of vaccine trial success , there is light at the end of the tunnel . In the course of 2021 , restrictions will be eased and there will be a massive feeling of positivity arising from this , which we will be able to harness for the benefit of business and to create jobs .
FRANS CALJE , CEO , PD PORTS I ’ m not really sure there is any way other than up for many people after Covid . However , my glass is always half full and we have a lot to look forward to . Having invested close to £ 20m in infrastructure in 2020 and created 95 new jobs in the Tees Valley , we are working hard to deliver even more in 2021 – with further private investment building on our track record of more than £ 1bn in the last 10 years .
We are confident , by working together with key partners and stakeholders , we will secure freeport status – creating the potential for thousands of new jobs , greater inward investment and improving the lives of people across the Tees Valley .
ZOE LEWIS , PRINCIPAL AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE , MIDDLESBROUGH COLLEGE The reasons I hope 2021 will be better than 2020 are that Covid-19 memories will mean the residents of the Tees Valley will value community and human interaction more than ever , while Brexit will see an expansion of manufacturing locally as companies seek to benefit from our skills
base and UK market access . The levelling-up agenda will commence , with a freeport , civil service jobs moves and green energy driving a resurgence of job opportunities locally . Employers will proactively develop their talent through increasing apprentices , interns , T level work placements and encouraging upskilling of their staff .
ANDY PRESTON , MIDDLESBROUGH MAYOR I know 2020 has been incredibly tough for many businesses and individuals but I ’ m confident we are on the verge of a boom period . Positive news about Covid vaccines has given us all reason to believe .
When this rolls out , people will be desperate to get out and support our restaurants , bars and shops , and there ’ ll be some serious investment going on . In Middlesbrough alone , we have a huge number of positive projects that will start to transform the town .
MIKE RACZ , CEO , RACZ GROUP I believe the investment in our region will continue , especially from the government ’ s perspective . I think people and businesses will bounce back quicker .
For better or worse , we are more used to difficult times in Teesside , so we will be able to capitalise on the new opportunities created throughout the pandemic . Many businesses have had their most difficult time , just happy to stay afloat , but it ’ s soon to be over . If it didn ’ t break your business , the second half of 2021 could be the best yet !
BEN HOUCHEN , TEES VALLEY MAYOR 2021 is going to be fantastic for Teesside because Europe ’ s biggest low-cost airline , Ryanair , is flying from our airport again , showing , despite the difficulties the aviation industry is facing , Teesside Airport has a great future .
2021 was billed as the year the airport was closing , but instead it ’ s the year it is being reborn . We have made more progress in two years than I could have dared to dream , and this is the biggest proof yet that we did the right thing .
NICKY JOLLEY , MANAGING DIRECTOR , HR TODAY I am positive that 2021 is going to be a better year for all , primarily because we ’ ve grown stronger . The worst is behind us and there is light at the end of the tunnel . Businesses have been resilient and have learned from the struggles the pandemic has thrown at us .
For example , my business , HR2day , had never considered online events , but now Zoom is our best friend , and we ’ ve built a strong , focused community ready to move forward next year .
106 | Tees Business