A Christmas message from Paul McEldon, BIC Chief Executive
Who will you be pulling a cracker with this year?
If your workplace is anything like ours, it will be buzzing with chatter about who’s cooking, who’s coming round and who’s pulled the short straw as taxi driver for the day.
For most of us, it’s the thought of coming together with family and friends that make Christmas special. It’s the conversations and laughs around the table that linger in our memories rather the gifts we unwrap (although I do enjoy my annual SAFC calendar.)
Togetherness: more than a seasonal thing
That theme of togetherness is more than a seasonal thing for us at the BIC. We’ve always been big advocates for working with others – we know there’s strength in numbers when it comes to supporting businesses. But this year we we’ve taken that to a new level. We made it a strategic decision to invite more people to our table.
The BIC’s a business, just like all of those we support, and likewise we benefit from opening our arms to welcome new talent and fresh perspectives. As businesses, it can seem daunting to change the status quo but we mustn’t be afraid to bring others in, because that’s how we grow stronger.
So that spirit has shaped our whole year. We’ve developed formal working partnerships with the likes of the North East Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Business (FSB) and worked side by side with a whole range of local business support projects.
Sometimes we’ve led, sometimes we’ve supported but always with the same goal to make business support more joined up, more ambitious and easier to access. This collaborative approach has paid off, with an impressive 700 new businesses launched across the North East Combined Authority (NECA) area.
Fresh voices at the table
We’ve also welcomed new voices to our board to complement the skills of our existing directors. Well known business leaders Laura Middleton, Andrew Marsh, Sophie Milliken MBE and Kevin Howell bring mountains of private sector experience to strengthen our commercial ambition.
This is a big step for us. After 30 years, we’ve reached a real turning point in our history.
The last couple of years have allowed us to pilot new initiatives and grow in ways we couldn’t have imagined, thanks in no small part to UKSPF funding. We’ve hit £7million turnover, achieved 91% occupancy rates in Sunderland, celebrated the 10th anniversary of Darlington’s Business Central.
Growth for growth’s sake isn’t what we’re about though. Our ambition is growth for good. That means expanding our reach and continuing to build an ecosystem where businesses don’t just rent space, they thrive.
Our ‘Workplace Plus’ model, which provides business space plus onsite support, has proven to be what makes the difference. Ask our tenants and they’ll tell you, it’s not just the formal business advice that they love.
It’s the facilities and IT team who get things fixed, the reception team who make them feel welcome, the pop-up markets and events that bring a buzz. It’s the whole community looking out for them.
A season of renewal
As many businesses take time to recharge over the festive season, we’re doing the same. We’re using the time to reflect, draw on the experience of our new board, and prepare a new long-term strategy that will support this region’s economic growth for the next 10-20 years.
Earlier this year, I shared my thoughts on the Government’s Backing Your Business strategy – a welcome step forward for UK entrepreneurs. What stood out most was its recognition of small businesses as a distinct and vital sector of the economy.
The North East has traditionally had one of the lowest business stocks in the country, so breaking down barriers to entry – especially for women, ethnic minorities, disabled people, and the unemployed – is not just good policy, it’s essential for regional prosperity.
And that’s exactly what we’re committed to doing in the year ahead. We’ll champion inclusive entrepreneurship, remove obstacles for those who’ve traditionally been unable to get support, and make innovation available and accessible through initiatives like our hugely popular Growth Lab events.
We’ll also continue to embrace the ethical and responsible opportunities of AI and help other small businesses to do the same.
Thank you for being part of our journey
Of course, none of this would be possible without our incredible team, our board, our partners and most of all this region’s brilliant business community.
So, as we all gather round our own tables this Christmas, I want to say a huge thank you – for your support, your collaboration, and your shared belief in what we can achieve together.
Here’s to a well-earned rest before we embark on another successful year of togetherness!