OPINION
TeesTalk
From the freeport to Treasury North , we asked local business leaders for their response to the wave of good news that came from chancellor Rishi Sunak ’ s Budget . Here ’ s what they had to say …
DAVID SMITH , FOUNDER AND CEO , RYZE I ’ m excited . With this big news , you can ’ t help but get the feeling it is just the beginning of many more great things to come .
Well done to all who helped to not only bring the spotlight up here and showcase our capabilities , but to ensure we were recognised by the key parties in order to make this all happen .
I ’ m super proud to be from and live on Teesside and drive a Teesside-based business .
ANNA COULSON , MD , CHAMPION TUTOR The news is unbelievable . It is fantastic for the area and its people . It is a time to celebrate and be excited for what lies ahead .
As owner of a business centred around children , this brings aspiration and pride . I was so proud to explain to my daughters what the success meant and about the hard work of the local leaders who strived to achieve it .
This hidden gem of an area is finally getting the recognition and affirmation it deserves . Well done to all of those involved . Future generations will benefit .
KATY PARKINSON , FOUNDER DIRECTOR , LEXONIK The news about the freeport and Treasury North fills me with pride , confidence and excitement about the opportunities these initiatives will bring to our area .
It shows the hard work , ambition and desire from local people who have the influence to shape the future of the North-East has paid off .
Local industry and businesses now have to take full advantage of these opportunities and offer support to these leaders , which they so deserve .
MIKE MARSH , MD , GROUP INDUSTRIAL Our freeport will be an international centre for trade and investment , powering regeneration , job creation and entrepreneurship .
Having our base at the Port of Middlesbrough and being heavily involved in the shipping sector , we get a real sense of anticipation as we go about our daily tasks , as it ’ s the topic of conversation among many of our colleagues and customers .
Levelling up and the promotion of sustainable growth is a wonderful prospect for the region and one that I and all my team are looking forward to .
TONY INSALL , DIRECTOR , INFINITY FINANCE GROUP Being a proud Teessider , the announcements by the government and Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen have filled me and Infinity Finance Group with so much pride .
Treasury North , the freeport and the Towns Funding are a huge boost for Teesside , as is the huge investment at Teesworks .
As a business based in Teesside , we are
excited to see the knock-on effects of the latest announcements , if not for us then for the rest of the region .
HELEN WRIGHT , DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS , THIRTEEN The recent announcement by the chancellor is great news for the Tees Valley .
It ’ s a significant investment for the region that will bring thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of investment to our doorstep .
Good quality housing plays a vital role in the Tees Valley ’ s economy and with so many new opportunities it ’ s crucial we have enough quality homes that people can afford – whether they rent , buy or part-buy , that not only attracts people to the area but that keeps them too .
JULIE GILHESPIE , CHIEF EXECUTIVE , TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY GROUP I ’ m more enthusiastic and hopeful than ever for the future of our region . The freeport is already helping us secure new investments on the Teesworks site and will drive more across all five boroughs , creating jobs and improving the quality of life for local people .
Treasury North means we ’ re more joined-up than ever with Whitehall and both mean we are increasingly being seen as a major player nationally and globally .
PHIL TEASDALE , CEO , ENTERPRISE MADE SIMPLE I ’ ve always been optimistic about the Teesside region – it ’ s why I came back here from London and why I love living and working here .
We have the most passionate people in the world and the latent entrepreneurial talent to be worldbeaters , but it has taken the collective majority led by a visionary mayor to really make the difference on a national stage .
The combination of a working airport , Treasury jobs and freeport are the beginnings of a visible renaissance for us all and confirms that , with the right support , investment , vision and leadership , our area is second to none . The hard work starts now .
MIKE RACZ , CEO , RACZ GROUP I think it ’ s a huge step in the right direction for the region . Both the Treasury and the freeport will have a long-lasting , positive impact on all of our livelihoods , so I ’ m feeling really positive about the future of Teesside .
For far too long our area has been ignored or left behind . This is the time for us to show what we can bring to the table .
134 | Tees Business