PARTNERSHIPS
Exciting – Tees Valley Business Board vicechair Matthew Ord is optimistic about the future of the region .
Comprising 12 independent business leaders from across the Tees Valley , the board feeds into the work of the TVCA , the mayor and local authorities to advise on , establish and help lead projects , schemes and programmes to deliver real change in the local economy .
But change and challenges are things this part of the world has never shied away from . Matthew , company ambassador for LV Logistics , whose Middlesbrough office lies a stone ’ s throw from Temenos , said : “ As far as investment in the Tees Valley is concerned , we ’ re flexible , ready and able .
“ We have the largest brownfield development site in Europe and within that , there is a really big ambition to look at decarbonisation .
“ We ’ re seeing projects like SeAH Wind – headed up locally by K2 Construction – who are making monopiles for offshore wind development , and bp , who are developing new technologies in carbon capture and hydrogen . And we have many more globallyleading projects set to be announced .
“ This will bring a substantial amount of contractor work for a period of time but then a long-term sustainable future .
“ The Business Board isn ' t just for existing Tees Valley businesses , we ’ re here to make investing from outside the region even easier too .
This isn ' t about us now – our life isn ’ t going to change significantly , but our children ’ s lives , the next generation ...
“ Some of the biggest representatives from recent big inward investments sit on the board to ensure global voices are heard and our supply chains can meet their demand . “ With the region at the forefront of national policy and decisions such as the Darlington Economic Campus and Teesside Freeport , inward investors , via the Business Board , can also help shape national projects .
“ This isn ' t about us now – our life isn ’ t going to change significantly , but our children ’ s lives , the next generation ...
“ This is about more opportunities , better aspirations and a better quality of life for them , and that ' s why I sit on the board .”
The board meets quarterly , although Matthew and chair Siobhan McArdle meet most weeks and all board members are in regular contact .
And as part of its role , the board scrutinises the use of UK Shared Prosperity Funding to ensure the best value for taxpayers ’ money when it comes to supporting businesses within the Tees Valley .
Matthew said : “ The business board had a large amount of involvement in getting the UKSPF funding up and running , and we ’ re committed to ensuring that the very best delivery partners are given the money to have a direct and positive impact on Tees Valley businesses .
“ In terms of inward investment , we want to make sure there is a compelling and true offer , whether it ' s skills , utilities – we drill down into everything .”
On Matthew ' s personal wish list is further expansion of Tees Valley ’ s leisure and tourism economy , as he firmly believes that if the region gets its offer right then it is perfectly positioned to act as the gateway to the nearby North York Moors and stunning coastline , as well as being within easy access of historic Whitby .
“ If we get that offer right , in terms of our hotels and accommodation , then there ’ s no reason why they can ’ t be full to the brim at weekends , not just during the week ,” said Matthew .
That ambition extends to attracting “ world-leading entertainment ” that can substantially build on recent big-ticket gigs in the region by the likes of Take That , Arctic Monkeys , The Killers and locally-born James Arthur .
He ’ s quick to point out that while the former steelworks site of Teesworks and the freeport offering are shining lights for what we have to offer , when it comes to available land , there is a plethora of exciting inward investment opportunities across the region .
When talking to Matthew , it ’ s clear that as a passionate , born-and-bred Teessider , he ’ s desperate for the business world to do its best for the area he loves .
“ I want to make sure that whoever comes here is given every exposure to every possible opportunity to invest in Tees Valley ,” he added .
“ We are now building relationships with people further south and north so even if these investment opportunities don ' t work for Tees Valley , the next best place for them is next to us because that creates a regional economy that can benefit us all .
“ But to have major names like bp coming here with schemes for future generations , it ’ s a different level .
“ It ’ s massively exciting and we ’ re right to be excited about it .”
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