Teesside business review 2010 - Part II
THE Spring was a time of change as the General Election brought Britian its first coalition government since the war. KAREN McLAUCHLAN continues her look back at the local economy’s highs and lows in 2010.
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Fast-growing Teesside data security firm Onyx was awarded the coveted North East Company of the Year award for 2009 at the nebusiness awards. The Stockton firm won the title in front of around 800 executives at Hardwick Hall near Sedgefield, in the climax of the awards organised by the Evening Gazette and The Journal in association with Business Link. Onyx edged ahead of runners-up Wessington Cryogenics of Houghton-le-Spring – which won the Durham and Wearside Company of the Year nomination - and Tyneside and Northumberland Company of the Year Specials Laboratory of Prudhoe.
Public transport giant Arriva, which operates services on Teesside, was taken over by the German firm which runs the Tyne and Wear Metro in a £1.59bn deal. Deutsche Bahn said it will be creating further jobs in the region as it looks to grow the business into a European transport giant.
The new chief executive of Northumbrian Water vowed to deliver an improved service to customers when she set out her vision for the business. Heidi Mottram, who took over from John Cuthbert, became the first woman to take charge of one of Britain’s major water companies.
It was all change at the top of Darlington-based van hire business Northgate after chief executive Steve Smith retired ahead of schedule. Mr Smith’s departure came after company founder Alan Noble and Phil Moorhouse, UK managing director, stepped down.
News came that an office complex was set to bring a 600 jobs boost to Teesside. Mandale Properties said it was to build a 25,000sq ft office building for AXA Insurance and Swiftcover - which is also part of AXA - at the Portrack Interchange Business Park, just off the A19 in Stockton.
The Evening Gazette launched major new campaign Just The Job to get Teesside working. It was backed by political leaders David Cameron, Nick Clegg and then Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Durham Tees Valley Airport had to cope with major disruption caused by a massive cloud of volcanic ash which blew towards the UK.
