Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has backed the 2027 BUSINESSiQ Awards, saying the companies investing in their people now are building the workforce the region will need tomorrow.
Mayor Houchen said the North East’s success in attracting investment and creating jobs must be matched by a determined effort to equip local people for the opportunities being generated.
“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 those opportunities – that’s why I’m so proud to back the BUSINESSiQ Awards and the Training and Skills Award in particular.
“The businesses investing in their people today are helping to build the workforce our economy will need tomorrow.”
The fifth BUSINESSiQ Awards will take place at Raby Castle on Thursday, April 29, 2027. The ceremony will be staged in The Riding School, an 18th-century building reimagined for modern events, with food and entertainment in and around The Dutch Barn. Guests will also have the setting of the 14th-century castle, its 200-acre deer park and remodelled Walled Gardens as the backdrop to 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 recognise the individuals and organisations helping the region develop the right capabilities at the right time as new projects, industries and investments gather pace.
Mr Houchen said the awards also offered an important platform for a region that should be more confident about promoting its achievements.
“As a region, we need to shout more loudly about the brilliant businesses we have here. These awards are a chance to put the spotlight on the firms creating jobs, investing in people and driving 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 breadth of the region’s economic opportunity.
“There’s a huge amount happening across our region. We’ve got major investment coming in, homegrown businesses expanding and new opportunities being created in everything from clean energy and advanced manufacturing to digital and creative.
Join us at Raby on April 29 (Image: Raby Estates)
“We’ve come a long way, but there’s plenty more to do. The job now is to keep that momentum going and make sure local businesses and local people are the ones who benefit.
“There’s plenty happening and plenty more to come. Our £160 million Investment Zone is backing 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’re doing comes back to the same thing – bringing more investment into our region, helping our businesses grow and creating more opportunities for local people.”