Working towards the Great North Revolution

Jun 16 2009 by Sarah Green, The Journal

AS our latest CBI economic forecasts suggest the economy is stabilising, it is critical that regional businesses look forward and position themselves to maximise the predicted growth in 2010.

In order to support regional business in doing this, CBI North East is working with The Journal and Evening Gazette to promote a Great North Revolution.

This campaign aims to consider how new innovations including electric vehicles, offshore renewables, digital, healthcare and new materials can ensure this region is globally competitive. The aim of the campaign is to ensure the region’s companies are thinking about the new business opportunities and considering how they could be part of the supply chain or utilise these technologies to transform their businesses.

Why have we focused on five areas? To be globally competitive we need to align public and private sector investment in those industries where we have the skills, expertise and knowledge to become a world leader. In the chosen five industries we already have winning combinations of natural resources, historic expertise, university research and development skills to create the momentum to shape the market.

If the North East becomes known for any one of these technologies, it could transform our region. From a skills perspective such industries would attract highly skilled talent, create jobs for our graduates and allow businesses to invest in apprenticeships. The region would be known for its innovation ensuring that our excellent universities continue to attract excellent research and supporting even better business- university partnerships. We would live and work differently. For example – digital infrastructure may remove the need to commute to work? Electric vehicle charging needs could have a major impact on housing developments, public spaces and even shopping centres – creating major opportunities for leisure providers looking to entertain you in the 30 minutes charging period.

Richard Lambert, CBI director general, kicking off this campaign, said he believed we in the North East were doing something unique. To ask Richard about this, join the first Great North Webinar on Friday, an online debate with guest panellists including Richard Lambert and Bob Coxon, chair of the Science and Industry Council. Log on to www.nebusiness.co.uk/revolution  to sign up to the webinar or the campaign.

Sarah Green is regional director CBI North East