The Odyssey Business Leaders Roundtable brought business leaders together to talk about growth in the region, concentrating on recruitment, skills development and investment. Matt Vickers (MP Stockton West) joined the conversation on our local economy and infrastructure in the North East.
Matt Park (Odyssey Systems) opened the session with trends Odyssey has seen, including growing demand for tech skills and changes in how businesses invest as the economy shifts.
Much of the conversation was about how the workforce and the business environment are changing. Jonathan Hall (owner of Cena, Muse, Bay Horse) said “it’s hugely important for businesses to adopt strategic, forward-thinking approaches. Flexibility in the workplace is becoming a crucial factor in attracting and retaining top talent”. Melissa Thomson (Web.com) and Jamie Pell (AM Recruitment) agreed, noting that businesses are finding creative ways to adapt to remote working challenges and financial constraints while continuing to grow their teams.
Simon Crisp (Edward Robertson) talked about how the workforce has changed over the years, and David Warwick (TGA Consulting) pointed to growth opportunities in specialist industries such as heritage and healthcare. He noted that university courses previously only available in Northumberland are now offered in Teesside, so businesses can find the skills they need on their doorstep.
Regional investment and infrastructure were also a major focus. Matt Vickers (MP Stockton West) gave updates on projects such as the new diagnostic hospital in Stockton and improvements to Eaglescliffe Railway. With institutions like the Treasury now established in the region, confidence in Teesside’s future is increasing. Business leaders agreed that promoting the area’s strengths will bring in more investment.
The group acknowledged problems such as rising business rates and supply chain disruption, and discussed ways to tackle them, including closer collaboration between industries, education providers and policymakers. On the changes in manufacturing and engineering, Jamie Pell described how businesses are working to keep skills in the region. Grant Glendinning (The ETC Group) said “I cannot stress the importance of apprenticeships in bridging skills gaps and ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for the future in our area”.
Odyssey was delighted to host these conversations, and we look forward to hosting more.