BQ Live Debate - Tees Valley

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LIVE DEBATE

THE VOICE FOR BUSINESS DEBATE The issue: “What are the key issues and opportunities for businesses across the Tees Valley and what practical things can the Combined Authority do to support.” Teesside was the engine of the industrial revolution 200 years ago and is now pushing to be at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution – with a high concentration of innovative digital companies already growing alongside world class firms in areas such as bio-science. The wider Tees Valley has the opportunity to be at the forefront of global opportunities. One of the institutions at the heart of this ambition is Teesside University, which has launched a programme of investment for its campus to undergo a £300m transformation over the next 10 years. Building on its impressive recent growth.

Phase 1 includes a new home for the Teesside University Business School, and a biomedical research facility. The University has also received a quarter of a million pounds funding boost to help support a range of Degree Apprenticeships in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. The formation of the Tees Valley Combined Authority as a result of the five local authorities coming together for the greater good, is another opportunity for the region to shape its own destiny. A group of innovative and ambitious businesses gathered at the Crathorne Hotel

to debate the key issues and opportunities for businesses across the Tees Valley and what practical things the newly-formed Combined Authority could do to support them. The debate, attended by Tees Valley’s Conservative Elected Mayor Ben Houchen, was lively, with infrastructure, simplifying access to funding, skills, more effective communication, talking up the area and an even more joined up approach between the public and private sector all being raised. Organised by BQ Live in association with the Endeavour Partnership, chair Caroline Theobald opened proceedings by inviting guests to introduce themselves, their company


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