North East Ambition Business Bulletin June 15th 2021

General UK and North East business news The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released its June labour market figures and is showing signs of recovery: - was at 4.4% in the three months to April, down from 4.8% previously - the number of payrolled employees has increased for the sixth consecutive month, up by 197,000 in May 2021 to 28.5m. It is 553,000 below levels seen before the pandemic - the number of vacancies in March to May 2021 was 758,000 - 27,000 below the level before the pandemic in Jan to March 2020 - all company size bands increased their number of vacancies on the quarter - the 18 to 24 age group has seen the greatest decrease in payrolled employees since May 2020. ONS figures showed the North East’s unemployment rate stood at 5.9%, a significant rise on the 5.4% recorded a month ago. The region is one of only three areas in the UK to see rising unemployment rates: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/surprise-rise- unemployment-north-east-20816638 The North East England has produced a useful FAQ on the Kickstart Scheme: https://www.neechamber.co.uk/knowledge/kickstart-scheme-faq/ The North East LEP has published its latest Annual Review with facts and stats such as: - 3k will be created as Britishvolt builds its second gigafactory - huge investment in Health and Life Sciences - £200k funding to innovative SMEs developing solutions to energy challenges. Latest PMI data from NatWest shows a rise in business activity in the North East - outpacing the UK average. In addition to this, there is reference to private sector companies in the North East who said they had seen an expansion in new business for the third month running: North East businesses see sharp rise in activity in May, new data reveals - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) Nissan has pledged that every school child in the North East will get the chance to take part in a Nissan Skills Foundation event in an attempt to engage young people in engineering: Nissan makes North East schools pledge as it reaches manufacturing milestone - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) According to a report by manufacturing organisation Make UK and advisory group BDO, North East manufacturing companies could outpace other parts of the economy with increased business confidence and hiring intentions: Confidence high among North East manufacturing companies, survey finds - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) Rebel Business School is offering free online workshops to entrepreneurs in Newcastle and Gateshead who want to start a business without getting into debt: Rebel Business School to help Tyneside entrepreneurs launch firms on a shoestring budget - Business Live (business- live.co.uk) The IP100 list compiled by intellectual property specialists Metis Partners has named eight North East firms as some of the most innovative companies in the UK: North East takes eight places on list of UK's most innovative companies - Business Live (business-live.co.uk)

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The government has released details about high quality alternatives to degrees in an attempt to boost the nation’s technical skills and job prospects: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-high-quality-degree-alternatives-to-boost-adult- skills-and-job-prospects According to Companies House more than 227,000 businesses were set up by those aged between 25 and 40 in the past 11 months: https://smallbusiness.co.uk/half-of-the-uks- newest-business-owners-are-millennials-2552878/ New CITB report shows that an extra 7,000 new construction workers are needed in the North East between the end of 2020 and 2025: https://www.citb.co.uk/media/rikcy33j/north_east.pdf General North East events Tech Leads the Way in a Challenging World | Dynamo North East – 17th June. Gain an insight into how the North East has excelled in IT and Technology during a pandemic. Dynamo 21: 'Tech Leads the Way in a Challenging World'

Online Virtual Business Networking & Speed Networking for New Business Development | CrossGroup Networking Events – 17th June. Connect and network with successful business prospects from these 'Top Wealthy Cities' to help your business thrive. Online Virtual Business Networking & Speed Networking for New Business Dev.

Understanding the Construction Sector; culture and marketplace | Supply Chain North East – 22nd June. A 4-week programme to uncover the changing situation in the construction sector, and find out about the emerging trends to support your decision making process. Understanding the Construction Sector; culture and marketplace

Engineering and Manufacturing: How you can upskill, recruit and diversify | North East Ambition – 23rd May. Find out about the skills landscape for Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, and how we can help businesses seek the right talent. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/engineering-and-manufacturing-how-you-can-upskill-recruit- and-diversify-tickets-156086802829

Better Business Skills | North East Growth Hub – dates until 23rd June. Enhance your business skills by attending our free event. Better Business Skills Events

North East Women in STEM (NEWS) network meeting | RTC North – 23rd June. An informal get together of North East women all working in STEM to share ideas, make links and network. North East Women in STEM (NEWS) network meeting

Doing Business with Energi Coast | NOF – 24th June. Hear from developers and supply chain companies about regional projects, business services and how they support the offshore wind sector. Doing Business with Energi Coast

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Innovation Breakfast Brunch | Business Durham – 6th July. Our virtual monthly Innovation breakfast brunch. Innovation Breakfast (Brunch!)

Showcase North East | RTC North – 8th July. Listen to local industry leaders and find out about current sector trends and opportunities. RTC North: Showcase North East

Do | DBN – 20th July. Monthly virtual networking event for DBN members. 'DO BUSINESS' VIRTUAL NETWORKING MEETING

Lunch Networking Events | Network B2B – weekly. Find your local meeting location to network over lunch. Networking Lunch Meeting Tips & Events | Network B2B

Northumberland The British Library is to set up three Business and IP Centres (BIPCs) in Berwick, Morpeth and Hexham as part of a major expansion in the North East to help businesses and boost jobs: https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/politics/council/british-library-to-launch- three-new-outposts-in-northumberland-to-help-nurture-businesses-and-boost-jobs-3272170 Northumberland events South East Northumberland Business Networking | Business Northumberland – 24th June. Meet other local businesses as well as representatives from Business Northumberland and learn more about the free support available to your business. Online Networking: South East Northumberland Business Networking

Hexham Business Networking Breakfast | Network B2B – every Tuesday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. Hexham Business Networking Breakfast

North Tyneside Britishvolt has signed a memorandum of understanding with North Tyneside firm Entek, which makes parts for batteries: Agreement raises hopes for jobs in Northumberland gigafactory supply chain - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) North Tyneside events Tynemouth Business Networking Breakfast | Network B2B – every Tuesday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. Tynemouth Business Networking Breakfast

North Tyneside Business Networking Network B2B – every Thursday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. North Tyneside Business Networking Event

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Newcastle Grainger, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, has acquired The Forge - its first purpose built build to rent investment in Newcastle: North East FTSE 250 business lands first ‘build-to-rent’ site in £57m acquisition | Bdaily CRL Foods, a designer and manufacturer of food processing equipment, has received a £750,000 investment to help grow the business: Innovative Newcastle manufacturer CRL Foods to expand following £750,000 investment - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) Minerva Financial Solutions, set up by a financial adviser last year, has set up office space in Newcastle: https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/finance-expert-who- launched-business-20812200 Newcastle events Business Networking | Network B2B – every Wednesday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. Jesmond Networking Group

Women's Property Group Evening Meeting | Women’s Property Group – every Friday. An opportunity to dine with other women and discuss opportunities within the industry. Women's Property Group Last Friday of the Month Evening Meeting

South Tyneside New data shows that South Tyneside has the highest rate of unemployment in the country at 8.2%: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/surprise-rise-unemployment- north-east-20816638 South Tyneside events Business Networking | Network B2B – every Friday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. South Shields Virtual Networking

Gateshead Gateshead growth agency r//evolution has merged with digital agency The Roundhouse as part of a growth plan: https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2021/06/09/gateshead-growth-agency- completes-merger-with-newcastle-digital-firm Gateshead events

ATOMICON 2021 - UKs Leading Conference | Atomic – 9th November. Hosted at the Sage in Gateshead, a conference with an all-star line-up. ATOMICON 2021 - UKs Leading Small Business Conference

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Sunderland Plans are underway for a £14m Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy in Sunderland that could help provide people with the skills to create sustainable homes: Plans unveiled for £14m world class centre to improve skills in Sunderland - Business Live (business-live.co.uk) Male Ageing Pro, a health clinic especially for men, has opened in Sunderland and is the first clinic of its kind in the region: "Confidential and comfortable" men’s health clinic launches in Sunderland | Bdaily Sunderland events Sunderland Business Networking Breakfast | Network B2B – Thursday 17th June. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. Sunderland Business Networking Breakfast

Washington Network Events | Network B2B – every Tuesday. Speak to friendly professionals from all sectors and share business advice. Washington Networking Event

North East Automotive Expo 2021 | North East Automotive Alliance – 30th September. Reconnecting the region's automotive sector. North East Automotive Expo 2021

Durham Tech company Kromek has received a $6m contract from the US Department of Defense to identify airborne pathogens: County Durham tech company secures $6m US defense contract to detect airborne pathogens | Bdaily Durham events Durham Development Plans: Building Back Bigger, Better and Fairer | Durham County Council – 17th June. Listen to some of County Durham’s key leaders in driving the extensive economic development and regeneration opportunities. Future Development Plans - Durham and North East

Business Drop In Clinic | Business Durham – 24th June. For both large organisations and SMEs with few staff, come and listen to our advisers and how they can help you make your business grow. Business Drop In Clinic 24th June

NETPark Network Event | Business Durham – 24th June. Get to know your neighbouring businesses and share knowledge and new opportunities. NETPark Network Event

Do Business Network Cuppa & Cake Meeting | Do Business Network – 9th July. Socialise with other DBN members with some coffee and cake. DBN CUPPA & CAKE MEETING

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