Don't forget the Darwin theory, to be adaptable is to succeed
Each company on the Top 250 list is a great ambassador for the North East, and delivers so much more value than the bare financial results suggest, says James Ramsbotham.
OVER the last few years we have seen the most incredible renaissance across the North East’s business scene.
Typically, it has not been with a fanfare of trumpets but a quiet determination to transform, grow and prosper with minimum fuss. In 2007, the North East was the fastest growing region in the UK thanks to the efforts of business people across all sectors and in every city, town and village.
The last 12 months have brought many up short with a jolt. The global economy has impacted almost every part of the region. The surge for growth has become a drive for survival.
In the year in which we celebrated the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth, and 150 years since his ground-breaking Theory of Evolution, it was confirmed that “it is not the fastest or the strongest that survive, but those most adaptable to change”.
The 250 enterprises making up the table in this supplement prove what can be done. Their determination, ingenuity and genuine ability to react to the demands of their markets marks them out as shining examples for us all. We are right to recognise and to celebrate their success.
In all cases, these businesses are integral to the region. They could not exist in isolation and we could not prosper without them. In tough times people need to stick together more than ever and to support each other through thick and thin.
Chambers of Commerce in the North East were founded nearly 200 years ago to help businesses work together and speak with a strong and clear voice.
We use our links with Chambers of Commerce in every city around the globe to help businesses find new markets for their products – and exporters are finding great opportunities to take advantage of current exchange rates. This region continues to export more of its products and services than elsewhere in the UK and we continue to be net earners of foreign income.
There are some amazing success stories in the pages of this report from North East businesses which are particularly adept at taking maximum advantage of links across the world. We know how important global trade is to the long term strength of the economy but we also identify strongly with the benefits to be had from co-operation at home.
NECC’s “Buy North East” campaign has demonstrated that the region’s public sector could add £1.35bn to the regional economy and increase jobs by 6,000 if they spent 1% more of their budgets with local businesses.
Local businesses are doing their piece: Durham University recently estimated that Esh Group delivers a staggering £357m in added value to the North East every year, and Alcan has calculated that its value to the North East economy is worth £171m a year. We can all help each other by working together across all sectors.
The year ahead will bring new challenges. I am confident our great businesses will rise to each opportunity and find new ways to be successful. This Top 250 list will not look exactly the same 12 months from now but we are proud of all these businesses and wish them every success and prosperity in the year ahead.
Each one of them is a great ambassador for the North East, and delivers so much more value than bare financial results suggest.
James Ramsbotham is chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce.
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