Business in Durham is Powered by People – that is the message behind an inspiring new initiative that recently launched.
Durham County Council has been working in partnership with some of the region’s biggest businesses, colleges and Durham University, to develop an ethos that brings the business people and communities of County Durham together to showcase what makes the county such a great place to invest, live and work.
Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “Powered by People came to life from our conversations and research with businesses. Time and time again we heard from the business community that it was the people that makes Durham such a great place to do business. The support, the partnership, the flexibility and the experience of our communities and above all the attitude and determination.
“The business community wanted something tangible to present to other potential investors in the region and beyond. So we set about bringing the stories together and summing up why the county is a great place to do business – and what makes it special.”
To help visually convey the key messages of Powered by People a manifesto and series of promotional films have been developed. There will be a series of case studies coming out over the next few months of each individual company that has been involved in the project.
An inward investment brochure, presentation template and more, is also available to help businesses in Durham adopt and utilise the ethos.
Cllr Henig added: “We want every business to take it on as their own and use it how they see fit. From the small coffee shops to the multinational companies, this is an opportunity to create a common voice about why Durham is a great place to do business. When you watch the films you really feel a sense of pride to live and work in the county.”
The objective of Powered by People is to give businesses, influential developers, employers and partners, the opportunity to promote Durham as a place to do business, with the intention of growing business and jobs across the county.
Even in times of austerity Durham has a lot to offer. The county is bucking the national trend attracting 40 multinational investors over the past three years, over £3.4 billion worth of planned investment and has one of the largest growing visitor economies in the UK. This includes the £370 million development of the new Aykley Heads business park which has the potential to create up to 6,000 private sector jobs.
Powered by People is not just about investment, it’s about attracting people to live and spend their lives here. The county has a fantastic work life balance and whether you prefer walking in the moors are exploring the heritage coastline, Durham has it all.
One of the businesses featuring in the films is Dyer Engineering based in Annfield Plain. Richard Bradley, finance director, said: “Durham people bring a sense of pride, great work ethic, and an element fun. You can have all the facilities and all the machinery in the world, but if you haven’t got people they don’t do anything, we don’t make anything and we’re not a business. The only thing that matters are people.”
The council, along with Durham University, will be jointly hosting a Regional Business Event on Thursday, 31 January at the Radisson Hotel in Durham. The event will bring together businesses, key partners and groups from across the county to look at the role of the North East in delivering the UK economy.
Discover more information on how Durham’s people can help power business at www.durhampoweredbypeople.co.uk.
