FEATURE
IT’ S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO SEE SOME REAL DIGITAL POWERHOUSES DEVELOP IN THE TEES VALLEY
fastest-growing tech hub outside of London.
Now home to 165 tech firms, the Middlesbrough sector is growing at a rate of 13.79 % – the highest in the country – and Imran is heavily involved in maintaining that upward curve.
“ We are seeing exciting progress, with some of the largest investment firms looking at Teesside businesses, and my job is to make sure that momentum continues,” he says.
He cites the importance of the region being selected for Investment Zone status, with £ 80m allocated by the Tees Valley Combined Authority as the part of an overall investment of £ 160m, aimed at Tees Valley becoming a global powerhouse in digital and creative industries.
It will increase inward investment, productivity and jobs, with digital and creative clusters being focused on Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.
The plan is designed to create more than 2,000 jobs and unlock a further £ 175m of investment in the next decade, and Imran is convinced Tees Valley is on the right track.
“ We are building the right infrastructure, and we have the talent and leadership to help drive significant growth,” he adds.
“ It’ s been a privilege to see some real digital powerhouses develop in the Tees Valley and do amazing things.
“ The opportunities are massive, but we have to keep building the right ecosystems and make sure our businesses – from start-ups to big enterprises – understand that being digitally enabled is key to further growth.”
Flok Co-Working Space, in Middlesbrough town centre, is not only Alt Labs’ base but a growing part of the business, run by Imran’ s wife, Anila, and is a prime example of an ecosystem that’ s supporting the area’ s tech sector growth.
But, for Imran, it’ s not all about the latest technology – his approach to management remains very grounded:“ I’ m still involved in everything,” he insists.
“ If the toilets are blocked, I get my hands dirty. Leading from the front means never asking others to do something you’ re not prepared to do yourself.”
It’ s another lesson he learned from his dad, who sadly died from a heart attack last year, yet clearly remains a constant influence.
Inevitably, sport still plays an important part in Imran’ s life. He coaches the Acklam Under-13s football team, while Alt Labs sponsors Boro head coach Michael Carrick.
He and Anila have three children – five-year-old twins Noah and Eliza, and 12-year-old Sami, who is already playing his part at Flok.
“ He does cleaning, and whatever’ s needed during school holidays,” says Imran.“ I want my kids to know it takes hard work to get what we want out of life.” Just like he did in his parents’ corner shop.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 21