FEATURE
Buzzing – ITS operations director Tim MacLaren says it’ s fantastic to be part of the thriving Tees region.
ITS and buoyant Teesside – the perfect combination
WORDS: PHILIP TALLENTIRE PICTURES: CHRIS BOOTH
Middlesbrough firm’ s new operations director is loving life in the North-East
Teesside is buzzing. That’ s the verdict of Tim MacLaren, who’ s been blown away by the vibrancy and“ cando” attitude he’ s encountered since moving to the region. Tim joined Industrial Technology Systems( ITS) in August as the thriving firm’ s new operations director. And so far, it’ s been a match made in heaven.
The move marks a return to systems integration for Tim, who is leading ITS’ s operational teams at its Middlesbrough headquarters and offices in Sheffield and Warrington.
Hailing from the New Forest on the south coast, Tim worked for the police in Hampshire and Scotland before switching careers.
After gaining a degree in computing through part-time study while still working for the police, he moved into industrial automation and systems integration, working in Aberdeenshire until this summer’ s move south of the border.
“ The region is such an exciting place to be at the moment and the future is looking bright,” Tim told Tees Business.
“ I’ m genuinely enthused about being here and, having spent the last 23 years in Aberdeen, it’ s a big move but I’ m looking forward to calling the North-East home.”
In December, Tim will move into his new home in Ingleby Barwick, where he’ ll be joined by wife Joy and daughters Ella, 12, and nine-year-old Lily. It’ s fair to say the whole family can’ t wait to put down roots in Teesside.
“ I have to say genuinely, from what I’ ve experienced in the first few months being in Teesside, the region is buzzing. It’ s fantastic to be part of it,” said Tim.
“ I think back to my first couple of visits to Teesside as part of the interview process. The ITS head office is in Riverside Park, Middlesbrough, and there was just a big buzz about the place. The area was a hive of activity.
50 | Tees Business