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Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has backed the 2027 BUSINESSiQ Awards, saying companies investing in their people now will build the workforce the region needs tomorrow.
Mayor Houchen said that the Northeast’s success in attracting investment and creating jobs must be matched by a determined effort to generate opportunities for local people.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard to bring new investment and good-quality jobs to Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, but it’s vital that we make sure local people have the skills to take advantage of these opportunities – that’s why I’m so proud to support the BUSINESSiQ Awards and the Training and Skills Award in particular.
“Businesses that invest in their people today will help build the workforce that our economy will need tomorrow.”
The fifth BUSINESSiQ Awards will take place at Raby Castle on Thursday 29 April 2027. The ceremony will be staged at the riding school, an 18. Guests will also have the setting of the 14th century castle, its 200-hectare deer park and converted Walled Gardens as a backdrop for the celebration.
Full details and nomination forms are available from the BUSINESSiQ Awards website at www.businessiqawards.co.uk/
The Training and Skills Award will recognize the individuals and organizations that help the region develop the right skills at the right time as new projects, industries and investments gather pace.
Mr Houchen said the awards also provide an important platform to promote a region that should be more confident about its achievements.
“As a region we need to shout louder about the brilliant businesses we have here. These awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on the companies that create jobs, invest in people and drive our economy forward – and give them the recognition they deserve.”
He pointed to activity across clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital and creative industries as evidence of the region’s breadth of economic opportunity.
“There’s a lot happening in our region. We’ve had big investments coming in, homegrown businesses expanding and new opportunities being created in everything from clean energy and advanced manufacturing to digital and creative.
Join Raby on April 29th (Image: Raby Estates)
“We’ve come a long way, but there’s a lot more to do. The job now is to keep that momentum going and make sure local businesses and local people benefit.”
“There’s a lot happening and a lot more to come. Our £160 million investment zone is supporting growing digital and creative businesses, we’re investing in the skills our economy needs and helping more young people into good careers.
“Ultimately, everything we do comes back to the same thing – bringing more investment to our region, helping our businesses grow and creating more opportunities for local people.”
