NEWS
SARA DAVIES NAMED AMONG ‘ 10 MOST ADMIRED BUSINESSWOMEN TO WATCH IN 2021 ’
Dragons ’ Den star Sara Davies MBE has been named as one of the ‘ 10 Most Admired Businesswomen to watch in 2021 ’ in an international publication .
The Newton Aycliffe-based entrepreneur featured on the front cover of US-based CIO Views magazine to celebrate 10 businesswomen to watch throughout the year . Sara was the only UK-born leader to be included among nine other businesswomen operating in a multitude of industries including childcare , security , communications and PR , retail , technology and finance .
CIO Views magazine keeps its readers up to date with informative insights on business , technology and innovation .
The publication referred to Sara as a “ multifaceted leader who inspires the generation with her creative ideas ”.
In addition to her childhood and
WORK STARTS ON LANDMARK INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
The latest phase of a major scheme is now under way with the development of a range of industrial units at Station Place in Newton Aycliffe .
Station Place , which is now under construction , is part of the wider £ 90m Merchant Park industrial scheme – a 65-acre development at Aycliffe Business Park and home to Hitachi Rail .
The new £ 4.8m project on Site 2 at Merchant Park is set to provide 50,333 sq ft of new industrial space to support new and expanding businesses in Aycliffe .
Work started on Station Place in March after planning permission was granted in December 2020 , and is due to complete in early 2022 .
Durham County Council is supporting the development of the industrial units after agreeing to a 35-year-lease at Station Place in September 2019 .
The units will be managed by Business Durham , the economic development arm of the council .
The development is being delivered in partnership with Merchant Anglo and Rokeby
entrepreneurial beginnings , the piece focused on how Sara has revamped the art and craft industry with innovation and community , in addition to her definition of success and the future of Aycliffe-based Crafter ’ s Companion .
Sara said : “ I am honoured to be included in CIO Views ’ 10 Most Admired Businesswomen to watch in 2021 .
“ It was great to discuss the evolution of the company and my journey as an entrepreneur with an international publication .”
Developments . Cllr Simon Henig , leader of Durham County Council ( pictured with Merchant Anglo director Geoff Hunton ), said : “ Supporting the development of strategic employment sites is a main priority for the council and we recognise the importance of meeting companies ’ needs by offering high quality and flexible industrial units at key locations throughout the county .
“ As the economy moves into the recovery phase it is important we continue to support businesses to thrive and grow , as well as help create high-quality jobs , and generate investment opportunities to boost the economic growth of the county .”
ADVICE
We ’ re really pleased that the
Chancellor supported many of our biggest business priorities in his spring Budget .
We had campaigned hard for more business support measures and for the relocation of Treasury jobs to our region .
Government has listened with the announcement of a business rates holiday , an extension of the furlough scheme and support for specific sectors like hospitality , as well as the great news about the new economic campus in Darlington .
It is also really positive that our region will have a freeport . We now look forward to seeing the detail on how it will be delivered to add genuine economic value .
However , other parts of the North-East will be feeling like they missed out on investment and we urge Government to reconsider the value and opportunities of a second freeport and other major projects in the north of our region .
There is good news , make no mistake , but the journey to recovery and genuinely closing the economic gaps in our country is only just beginning .
In contrast , the latest national international trade figures are extremely worrying and echo what we are hearing from our members in the North-East .
Falls in UK exports to the EU are ddown by 40.7 per cent . This is the biggest monthly drop in trade figures since the statistics were first recorded in 1997 .
The impact of Brexit has created difficulties for companies in a number of different ways , including the need for them to stockpile to avoid supply chain problems .
Lockdown measures both here and in Europe have also harmed the way businesses are able to traditionally trade .
Our businesses need Government to provide more support to help them navigate new trading regulations and the Brexit agreement which was implemented , in effect , with only a few day ’ s notice . Jonathan Walker Director of policy , NEECC
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 27