‘Our rising stars should be supported, encouraged and promoted. Let's celebrate their achievements’

Nov 28 2008 The Journal

Alastair MacColl says that our rising stars will help provide the North East with the dynamism that it needs to succeed in future years

IN these economically uncertain times there are a number of things that we can be certain about. Firstly, that our region is well placed to cope with the economic challenges that undoubtedly face us.

Secondly, our biggest asset as a region is our people; their passion, resilience and skills. Finally, that our priority should be to sustain and nourish that talent. Keeping our home-grown talent in the region and acting as a magnet for skills and knowledge from other parts of the country and the rest of the world.

More than ever before supporting business is crucial and that means encouraging enterprise and entrepreneurship. Investing in those people, businesses and organisations that will maintain the progress that we have made over the last 10 years.

The ambition and confidence of our business community is the result of many years of investment. But it has also been supported by an increasingly assured sense of direction for the region and a sense of bold leadership from a strong group of business leaders, key organisations and civic leaders that are working together for the good of the North East.

That is why we should take every opportunity to celebrate the emerging generation of leaders in the North East. Those people who are achieving great results in their own business or organisation and demonstrating the kind of leadership that should make us all excited and confident about the future. Ensuring that the investment that our region has enjoyed continues and that our ambition is turned into results.

As a region we are fortunate to possess a formidable group of rising stars. Talented individuals from all parts of the region and from all sectors of business, industry, the public and voluntary sectors. The list that The Journal has drawn up reinforces the strength and diversity of talent that exists in our region. It's that talent and those rising stars that will provide us with the economic dynamism, purpose and momentum we need to maintain the progress we are making as a region. They will help us to become one of the most competitive regions in Europe.

The Business Link service is working with many of the businesses represented by our rising stars. Providing access to fast and effective information, advice and support. In the first six months of this financial year alone the Business Link service has worked with over 17,000 businesses and people thinking about starting a business. Businesses from all sectors, of all sizes and at all stages – helping more North East businesses to start, succeed and grow.

The scale of the work that the Business Link service is doing underlines the talent and ambition that exists in our region. Our rising stars should be supported, encouraged and promoted. Let's celebrate their achievements and use this exceptional group to show the world we mean business.