78 | Tees Business
TEES TALK
Carl Thom, business development manager,
Calm Digital
“The Tees Valley has perhaps more than its
fair share of challenges. Change won’t come
overnight. However, during Ben’s term as
Tees Valley mayor, I think that we’re making
progress. Politics aside, Ben ‘gets’ Teesside -
he champions it and he’s driving forward our
area’s ability for growth, locally, nationally and
internationally.
“Time will tell, but I feel we have a local
mayor with his finger on the pulse and the
ambition and enthusiasm to make a real
difference.”
Nichola Reeder, director, 12th Man Solutions
“In the first 12 months it seems Ben has made
a promising start in engaging with the larger
organisations in the region.
“In the coming months I’d be really keen
to see the same engagement with micro and
small businesses who are crucial to the region’s
economy, to better understand their needs and
contribution, develop more relevant funding
initiatives and inspire growth among this vital
community.”
Samantha Lowe, managing director,
Probate Dispute Resolution and Concentus
Mediation
“I’m impressed that after only a year in office,
Ben Houchen is showing signs of real progress
in putting the Tees Valley back on the map, both
nationally and internationally. He has secured
finance after a real downturn for the region
in past years and the progress he has made
bringing the SSI site back under our control is
fantastic.
“Connections to the region by rail and air will
continue to improve and remind everyone that
there is a commercial world outside of London.
He is a great ambassador for our region and
he is proud to shout about us. Only time will
tell if everything he has promised will come
to fruition but so far so good - all the signs are
there for positive developments for the Tees
Valley.”
Adeel Bashir, trainee solicitor, The Endeavour
Partnership
“With the creation of the Tees Valley Combined
Authority and the appointment of Ben Houchen
as mayor of the Tees Valley, positive changes
now appear to be forthcoming.
“Ben’s determination and passion for the
Tees Valley have been a delight to witness
and it’s the genuine start we need to make
a real difference to our local area. The recent
recognition of the Tees Valley on a regional,
national and international level really stands out
– long may it continue!”
Ben Houchen, the first Tees Valley mayor, recently
celebrated his first 12 months in office – but how
do Tees Business readers rate his first year?
We asked eight local businesspeople: What do you
make of Ben Houchen’s first year in office as Tees
Valley mayor?
Nathan Platt, managing director,
Solidblueliquid
“Ben Houchen, who is that? That was my
first thought - and after meeting him at a few
different events and reading articles in various
magazines around Teesside, his name still
doesn’t stand out.
“I’ve read around and now realise he’s been
doing great work, but I still don’t know enough
about it. Time will only tell if his first year is
enough to bed in his ideas and whether they
will grow, or if he was just an ideas man.”
Rebecca Hodgson, director, Rebecca
Hodgson Freelance Trainer/Assessor
“I voted for Ben Houchen due to his youth,
along with his passion for Tees Valley and
his strategy to transform Durham Tees Valley
Airport. He has more than achieved this with
his determination to return the airport back to
public ownership, with creative support to fund
this. I hope that he also considers reverting the
name back to Teesside Airport!
“Additionally, Ben has recognised that as
a combined authority Teesside has more