TECH
Digital dreams – tech leader Imran Anwar has high hopes for the region’ s Investment Zones.
Tech talk – Tees Businesswoman of the Year 2024 Danielle Croce says it’ s an inspiring time to be part of the Tees tech community.
Beyond the Boro, the wider Tees Valley is buzzing too. Stockton-based Visualsoft remains a national leader in e-commerce platforms, while Tricore Technical Services and EnAppSys are turning heads in digital infrastructure and energy intelligence.
Tees Tech Ambassador Imran Anwar, CEO of Middlesbrough-based digital innovation agency Alt Labs, has been digital lead on the independent Tees Valley Business Board for the past two years.
“ We are seeing exciting progress, with some of the largest investment firms looking at Teesside businesses,” he says.“ My job is to make sure that momentum continues.”
He cites the importance of the region being selected for Investment Zone status, with £ 80m allocated by Tees Valley Combined Authority as part of the 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 to create more than 2,000 jobs and unlock a further £ 75m of investment in the next decade.
“ We are building the right infrastructure, and we have the talent and leadership to help drive significant growth,” adds Imran.
“ The opportunities are massive, but we have to continue building the right ecosystems and make sure our businesses – from startups to big enterprises – understand that being digitally enabled is key to further growth.”
Middlesbrough’ s appeal goes far beyond business metrics. With tech salaries rising 8.46 % year-on-year and commutes among the shortest in the UK, Middlesbrough offers a lifestyle tech professionals are increasingly seeking – dynamic careers without sacrificing quality of life.
“ Our low cost of living compared to other tech hubs and the fact we’ re surrounded by incredible countryside and yet easily accessible to major cities means we’ re getting noticed as a great place to work and live,” says Bob Makin, general manager at Behaviour UK.
“ We are now on the cusp of a fantastic growth spell, with huge companies being attracted to the area.”
This unique combination – affordable living, ambitious entrepreneurs and a supportive ecosystem – is creating the perfect storm for digital success.
“ We’ ve been based here for 15 years and have always believed in the region’ s potential,” adds Kimberley Turner, CFO of Double Eleven and a former Tees Businesswoman of the Year.
“ This town offers a unique combination of innovation, skilled talent and community spirit that truly sets it apart. We’ re proud to see the region gaining the recognition it deserves.”
What’ s happening in Middlesbrough isn’ t a fluke. It’ s the result of decades of groundwork, tireless local champions and institutions backing innovation at every level.
As tech leader David Dixon, part of the leadership team at games guru Radical Forge, puts it:“ Having the national recognition, which we collectively deserve, is superb. But it’ s only useful if we use it as a springboard to greater things. Yes, we need to celebrate the wins, but the time to build on this wonderful platform is now.”
Middlesbrough may have just taken the spotlight, but the region’ s ambitions are bigger than headlines. With a proven formula and momentum on its side, the Tees tech scene isn’ t just growing. It’ s redefining what success looks like – one bold idea at a time.
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