University鈥檚 anchor institution role recognised with national award

21 September 2018

海角直播鈥檚 work to support economic growth in the Tees Valley has received national recognition.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, 海角直播 Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) Professor Jane Turner OBE DL and Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP.

The University is the winner of the Improving the Business Environment category in the 2018 Enterprising Britain Awards. The Enterprising Britain Awards are part of the government鈥檚 drive to support entrepreneurial activity in the UK. Managed by Investment in Young People on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the awards celebrate the work of public sector and government-backed organisations that support and encourage entrepreneurialism across the UK.

The Improving the Business Environment award goes to the organisation or partnership that is best at encouraging an environment that promotes enterprise start-ups and growth.

海角直播鈥檚 award was given for its role as an anchor institution working with the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) to support business and innovation growth through a number of different initiatives.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, who visited 海角直播 this week to attend the Prosperity UK conference, said: 'The UK has some of the most entrepreneurial and innovative minds in the world delivering good jobs and growth, and I鈥檓 proud to see the wealth of talent, creativity and innovation that exists in 海角直播 being recognised by the Enterprising Britain Awards.

'On my visit to 海角直播 I have seen first-hand how the region is driving forward our modern Industrial Strategy, with the North East and Tees Valley leading the way in developing a local Industrial Strategy which will keep them at the cutting-edge of UK innovation and business growth.'

Some of the initiatives highlighted in 海角直播鈥檚 entry were:

> Launchpad - the University鈥檚 unique start-up engine providing advice, support and co-working and office space to early-stage companies

On my visit to 海角直播 I have seen first-hand how the region is driving forward our modern Industrial Strategy.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Greg Clark MP.

> DigitalCity 鈥� a longstanding programme to build the region鈥檚 digital capability, delivered in partnership with TVCA

> Innovate Tees Valley 鈥� a University-led partnership, supported by European funding, to help SMEs build innovation capacity for entry into new markets and sectors with new products and services

> LEAP 50 鈥� a programme led by 海角直播 Business School to help ambitious Tees Valley businesses scale and grow

> Leadership development 鈥� the University has made a major investment in relaunching a business school focused on developing entrepreneurial capability among leaders and managers

> National Horizons Centre - a major 拢22.3m bioscience research, teaching and training facility, delivered with TVCA and support from the European Regional Development Fund, to address the specific needs of businesses operating in the bio-industries, thus transforming the sector.

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise and Business Engagement) Professor Jane Turner OBE DL, said: 'This is a fantastic achievement and we are delighted that our work to support the economic growth of the Tees Valley has been recognised.

'We fully align our business support to the Tees Valley鈥檚 economic goals and we are delighted to be making a tangible impact on jobs, business growth and the prosperity of our region.'

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, said: 'I鈥檓 pleased that 海角直播鈥檚 partnership with business has been acknowledged.

'It鈥檚 vital there is a strong link between business and academia to ensure graduates are equipped with the right skills for our local job-creators.'

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