LAW
Tees man – Womble Bond Dickinson ’ s Peter Snaith boasts a wealth of experience in working on major developments in the region .
Stephen explained : “ The region has a lot of things going for it . In terms of the location , if you ’ re looking to put in a manufacturing or energy intensive facility , it ’ s already a heavily industrialised region with a lot of existing resources , infrastructure and capabilities from a skilled workforce and Teesside has a strong track record of securing approval for large-scale projects .”
Experience – Stephen Hands joined Womble Bond Dickinson ( WBD ) as senior counsel earlier this year .
“ The region has a lot of things going for it .”
LONG-TERM VISION As well as sector-specific experience , Stephen and Peter benefit from a longterm view of the industrial ecosystem in Teesside , having seen first hand the major changes and states of flux that have affected the area .
For Stephen , being something of a fixture adds value , accountability and a certain gravitas to decisions made .
He said : “ I ’ ve seen projects through from inception to completion , such as the Sembcorp biomass plant and Sembcorp Suez energy from waste plant at Wilton .
“ Both projects were years in the planning , negotiating and financing , and have now been operating for over 15 years and five years respectively .
“ One benefit of having worked inhouse is that you don ’ t just walk away from major projects such as these when they hit financial close . You get to see them through their construction phase and then into operation , and get to actively live through the contracts and project documents you helped negotiate .”
This regional expertise is already attracting the attention of global investors . The WBD team has supported a leading international producer of plastics worldwide and is currently acting for high-profile inward investors .
For Peter , this expertise with international businesses gives the firm a unique insight into the regional landscape and how global companies can choose Teesside as their base .
THE FUTURE : WHERE INDUSTRY MEETS TECH This kind of long-term insight can only benefit a region set to become a major global player in energy transition , with Teesside expected to lead the way in the UK ’ s green industrial revolution .
For Stephen , the acceleration towards net zero presents an incredible opportunity to support a range of scaling businesses .
He explained : “ Companies are rushing to create sustainable solutions and have huge energy demands , but don ’ t always have the necessary procurement expertise to support their growth plans . That ’ s where we can come in .”
WBD ’ s presence in the region is already substantial , with the firm expanding its Teesside office at the Wilton Centre , opened shortly before the pandemic .
This was swiftly followed by WBD securing a four-year panel appointment with Tees Valley Combined Authority to provide support on projects such as the Teesworks site – the acquisition of which was advised by the firm – and Teesside International Airport .
Technology will also play a huge part in Teesside ’ s industrial future .
Peter said : “ By accelerating the digitalisation of vital processes , businesses can prepare for the next generation of workers , as well as finding automated solutions to sectorspecific challenges .
“ The WBD technology team has the expertise to help businesses move to the next level .”
For Teesside , a bright and innovative future beckons . Energetic investment to revitalise the area and local specialist knowledge from established experts such as Stephen and Peter will ensure the region is a key hub , where local companies and businesses from further afield grow and develop world-leading solutions to 21st-century challenges .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 137