FEATURE
Investment – CEO Steve Brooke says Middlesbrough has been chosen as the focus of Pneuma Group’ s fast-growing business empire because it’ s‘ home’.
The Pneuma Group way:
Helping Middlesbrough work, rest and play
WORDS: MICHAEL MCGEARY PICTURE: CHRIS BOOTH
Pneuma Group is on a mission to help Middlesbrough work, rest and play. That’ s the message from CEO Steve Brooke, who says the company is ready to show the world its growing range of businesses, and its commitment to investing in local people.
Formed two years ago as the parent organisation for global games developer Double Eleven, Pneuma Group was created by majority shareholder Lee Hutchinson to act as both a central office and an investment company. His goal was simple: to find smarter ways of giving back to the community that shaped his success.
Games remain at the core of Pneuma Group’ s operations. Alongside Double Eleven’ s headquarters in Middlesbrough’ s Boho X and studio in Kuala Lumpur, recently acquired start-ups Last Arrow Games in Newcastle and Cast Iron Games in Wakefield are already working on major projects.
But the company’ s ambitions reach far wider. Most of Pneuma Group’ s business interests are based right here in Middlesbrough, spread across five distinct pillars designed to strengthen the local economy and create opportunities for growth.
Pneuma Property Group manages a growing portfolio, including Central Point offices on Linthorpe Road, while its facilities management arm supports both internal and external businesses.
Pneuma Business Services emerged from the group’ s daytoday operations, combining Pneuma Technology Solutions and Pneuma Legal. Together, they provide essential services to the group’ s companies while helping other SMEs and startups across Teesside access expert business support. The model fosters an ecosystem of innovation and collaboration, enabling entrepreneurs to thrive with the backing of a forwardlooking parent company.
Pneuma Automotive Group was formed through the acquisition of awardwinning luxury transport firm Parkers Chauffeurs and its US arm, Parkers Global. For Steve, it marks a bold step into a growing international market- one grounded in Middlesbrough expertise.
And in hospitality, Pneuma Group’ s latest venture, Pitch, promises to make an immediate impact. This immersive sports bar, located in a prime spot beneath the A66 flyover, invites visitors to both watch and play sports- part of a wider goal to create spaces that bring energy and life into the town centre.
“ These aren’ t just standalone businesses,” says Steve.“ They’ re part of our wider strategy to revitalise Middlesbrough. Our goal is to provide exceptional spaces that enhance the experience for those working, living in and visiting the town.”
Both Steve and founder Lee are proud adopted Teessiders from County Durham, united by their belief that Middlesbrough deserves investment and attention.
“ It was chosen for a very simple reason: this is home,” says Steve.“ That personal connection drives our passion. Many of our incredibly talented people came through Teesside University, and we feel a responsibility to help build the infrastructure that keeps that talent here rather than losing it to other parts of the UK.”
With private equity funding, Pneuma Group can act quickly to create tangible change, free from reliance on government programmes.“ People are happy to work here,” Steve adds,“ but the town centre needs more ways to live and play. We’ re changing that, to make Middlesbrough somewhere people want to build their lives, not just their careers.”
Pneuma Group’ s outlook extends beyond profit. The group collaborates with organisations such as Alt Labs, Behaviour Interactive and regional business networks to tackle shared challenges like graduate retention and economic growth.
“ Our investments aren’ t always about maximising immediate returns,” Steve explains.“ We make profits in other areas so we can reinvest that capital back into Teesside, building a connected, prosperous ecosystem.”
That philosophy defines Pneuma Group: a company determined to build sustainable businesses, not short term ventures. Each new addition to its portfolio must align with the group’ s values and commitment to its community.
“ The next phase for us is consolidation and increasing visibility. We’ ve laid the foundations; now we’ re ready to scale. If others see what we’ re achieving from a Middlesbrough base, it proves you can reach global success while staying local. That’ s the legacy we’ re trying to build.”
Visit pneumagroup. co. uk
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