INTERVIEW
Delivering
Progress
Wear Business consulting editor Rob Lawson talks to Sunderland City Council chief executive Patrick Melia about the role local authorities can play in helping businesses thrive …
PICTURES : TIM RICHARDSON
P atrick Melia delivers . Throughout a long career in public service , Sunderland City Council ’ s chief executive has consistently achieved targets set by others or himself .
In his previous role , for instance , as chief executive of North Tyneside Council , he drove the transformation of the old Swans shipyard into a hub for offshore and renewable energy and the delivery of the North Tyneside Seafront Master Plan , which brought the iconic Spanish City back to life .
And he ’ s doing the same in Sunderland , with the long-awaited transformation of the former Vaux site happening before our eyes , the regeneration of the city centre underway , the rejuvenation of Sunderland ’ s seafront continuing apace , a new and long-awaited station about to be built and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park ( IAMP ) taking shape .
Further major infrastructure projects have started and a personal passion of his , digital connectivity , has resulted in the city being at the forefront of the global digital revolution – Sunderland introduced the UK ’ s first 5G-ready wifi network , was named the country ’ s Smart City of the Year in 2020 and Digital Council of the Year last year . Patrick was named as one of the top three digital leaders in the Digital Leaders 100 Awards 2021 .
He is acutely ambitious for Wearside ’ s business community – from start-ups and one-person businesses to local SMEs , to companies of national and global significance , such as Nissan and Envision AESC , which are planning to build a £ 1bn EV hub in Sunderland , including a £ 450m gigafactory at the IAMP .
“ I see a council ’ s role to be an enabler for business , helping them to start , grow and flourish ,” he said .
“ It ’ s a bit like being a parent . You help your children grow up , but in the end they need to stand on their own two feet and that ’ s what we need to do with businesses – nurture them , help them and let them become independent , growing companies .”
One element of that support – a range of new offices – can be seen from where Patrick works in the impressive new City Hall , at the heart of Sunderland Riverside , the city ’ s new Central Business District .
Patrick doesn ’ t have an office in City Hall – he prefers to hot desk – but he can see new workspaces springing up around him as new buildings come out of the ground at the Riverside and beyond .
He said : “ We need to make it as easy as possible for businesses , be that to help local companies and entrepreneurs grow , or attract new companies into Sunderland . Obviously we need the offices or spaces , but we also need to have the right framework , the right investment teams with the right attitude and skills .
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