There’s so much to be happy about

Aug 13 2008 by Ross Smith for The Journal

IN years to come, I reckon I’ll look back on 2008 as one of the better summers of my life. True, there have been downsides. The weather’s been a bit mixed, England lost a Test series to South Africa, and every time I turn on the BBC I have to put up with an economic doom-monger trying to convince me the end is nigh.

Nevertheless, my sunny disposition remains undimmed. And that’s largely due to the work I’ve been doing on the NECC Innovation campaign, which we’re running along with BT.

This is aimed at both showcasing and learning from the excellent examples of innovation among our members – and I’ve therefore had the pleasure of visiting them to hear what they’ve been doing.

Some have blown me away. Hearing how Thorn Lighting and its parent group Zumtobel are working with Durham University to revolutionise the generation of light through plastic electronics is as impressive as it is mind-boggling for a politics graduate.

In other cases, well established North East businesses like Agma or Geofire are demonstrating their belief in the need to innovate to stay ahead of the game and are building on their expertise to create market-leading products.

Some new start-ups, such as Autopoietic Systems, have developed new technology which gives them enormous potential for growth. And large global success stories like Sage are refusing to rest on their laurels and instead making sure innovation is at the core of their business.

BT, who we’re working with on the NECC Innovation campaign, have provided one of the best bits of news for the region this summer, by signing an innovative deal with South Tyneside Council which will lead to a major new centre for the business being established in the North East.

Does all this obscure the fact that times are in general tougher for businesses at the moment than in recent years? Of course not – and at NECC, we’ll do all we can to make sure the best possible conditions exist in the region to help our members.

But it’s businesses like those I’ve been visiting that give me confidence that the North East remains poised for long-term success. Hopefully, through our campaign, we’ll help many more to follow their lead.

This just scratches the surface of what’s happening in the North East and I know there are many more excellent examples of innovation here – at NECC we’d love to hear about them. Give me a call and help make my summer even better.

Ross Smith, NECC head of policy and research