Thanks to BBC Look North for the opportunity to talk about the impact of welfare reforms and the need to get more people into work in our region. More on Politics North this Sunday.

It was great to visit K2 Construction Management last week to learn about the development and construction of the hugely impressive SeAH Wind facility on Teesworks. Thanks to James Grant for hosting me and Tom Warnock.

North East Chamber of Commerce partner Esh Group has made an impressive start on restoring our Tyne Bridge to its full former glory. Today I’ve joined political and business leaders in calling on government to commit to funding the completion of this work. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

I'm excited to work alongside such an outstanding group of business leaders on the new North East Combined Authority Business and Economy Board. Huge thanks to everyone who has agreed to play their part in making our region the home of real opportunity. www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/news/economy...

Our North East Local Growth Plan sets out how we're going to create the jobs and attract the investment to grow our economy. Have your say and let’s all get stuck in to deliver on the mission to make this the home of real opportunity. www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/news/north-e...

A brilliant day in Parliament promoting our region. Team North East was out in force!

Bonnet de douche Rodders!

The North East Chamber of Commerce’s CSR response sets out the targeted investments and policy changes necessary to unlock growth in this region. Click on the link below to read our full submission and my letter to Rachel Reeves and @darrenpjones.bsky.social www.necc.co.uk/chamber-urge...

Yes!

Good to see @darrenpjones.bsky.social at today’s British Chambers of Commerce Business Council. I took the opportunity to make the case for investment in the regions through properly funded Local Growth Plans and devolved decision making. Thriving regions are the route to national economic renewal.

Great to see our North East and Tees Valley mayors @kimmcguinness.bsky.social and Ben Houchen plus the Chamber’s Marianne O’Sullivan on Politics North this weekend where they discussed transport, infrastructure, child poverty and measures to reduce levels of economic inactivity in our region.

Good to see this from Lloyds Banking Group. I’ve been picking up a similar sentiment in recent weeks. It’s tough right now but our region is already benefiting from a devolution dividend and the ingenuity of our people and businesses. Still a way to go. www.business-live.co.uk/economic-dev...

Delighted to have been appointed chair of the North East Combined Authority business and economy board. www.necc.co.uk/chamber-chie...

Good to see the Leamside Line at the top of the list of nationally significant infrastructure projects being discussed by Rachel Reeves and Laura Kuenssberg yesterday.

Give blood, get Tuc!

Amongst his very many other roles in North East life, Sir Paul was the first president of the new North East Chamber of Commerce from 1995. On behalf of the Chamber, I extend deepest condolences to his family. www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2486723...

NECC is committed to supporting organisations that are making a positive impact in our region. That's why we're announcing a 20% membership discount for community interest companies (CICs), charities and schools. Your community deserves our support. necc.co.uk/get-in-touch/

Caught the end of the match standing outside a Budapest bar. Disappointing result…we should be putting relegation fodder away. Up the unbearable reds.

Very sorry to hear this news. Davie was a lovely man. Time spent in his company was always fun and insightful. He was a great ambassador for the North East and did a very fine job as Chamber President. He will be missed by all who knew him. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-e...

My column in today’s Journal…it’s tough out there, but there’s much to be optimistic about heading into 2025. www.necc.co.uk/times-are-to...

A little recap on what we've been up to in 2024 and a preview of what we have in store for next year when we're going to be flat out supporting North East business thrive in '25. Bring it on. vimeo.com/1036384247

The first NE Chamber carol service took place at Newcastle Cathedral last night. It was great to see so many friends of the Chamber as well as some new faces all coming together to celebrate the season. Huge thanks to @helenannhartley.bsky.social and The Very Reverend Lee Batson for hosting us.

Just loved seeing @paulheatonsolo.bsky.social and @riannedowney.bsky.social in Newcastle tonight. A perfect 10.

The Green North Sea Shipping Corridor will reduce carbon emissions and create jobs in our region. Great to see this initiative from Chamber partner member Port of Tyne. www.business-live.co.uk/ports-logist...

Excited for this. He’ll always be my Bond.

The first obligation on a male ally is to speak out against inappropriate words/actions. The allegations being made against this man are serious but irrespective of what he has said or done, his response to those allegations is deeply offensive and cannot go ignored. news.sky.com/story/gregg-...

I’m so pleased to have celebrated the close and special bond between Newcastle and Bergen this evening. Great to be at Newcastle Civic Centre with @karenkilgour.bsky.social and other civic leaders hosting friends from Bergen.

Thanksgiving was better during the Bartlet administration. Wingnuts out there will enjoy this…from pardoning two turkeys to the Butterball Hotline to Charlie and the knife. Happy Thanksgiving 🇺🇸 youtu.be/vH-J94gQMow

We recently held a very productive consultation roundtable with North East Chamber members, @kimmcguinness.bsky.social and @markfergusonmp.bsky.social. I’m grateful to everyone who took part in that and to the BCC’s Jane Gratton for sharing our feedback with the Employment Rights Bill Committee.

Great to see this important collaboration between Lumo and Hitachi Rail getting the recognition it deserves. bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

It was a huge pleasure to welcome Iain Anderson to our latest North East Chamber of Commerce 1815 Dinner this evening. From Trump to UK industrial strategy and much more besides, Iain very generously shared his time and thoughts with a packed room of our members at The Biscuit Factory.

Just judged Chamber Bake Off and there wasn’t a soggy bottom in sight. Congratulations to Natasha who won best savoury with her sausage rolls filled with cranberry & apple stuffing served with a gravy dip…and to Sarah who won best sweet with her GF fudge & ganache tart and treacle toffee brittle.

Very grateful to the team at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music for the invitation to attend this afternoon’s powerful performance of A Child Of Our Time. Great to see so much North East talent sharing the stage with The Royal Northern Sinfonia and performers from around the world.

No Parkrun today so a lovely wintery walk instead.

So pleased to welcome Great Run Company back into Chamber membership. To celebrate, I’ve just confirmed my place in the 2025 Great North Run (no ballot stress for me as a longtime GNR member) and the 2025 Great North 10k. Just need to get my knee fixed now!

Typically classy stuff from William Hague. His Commons clashes with John Prescott were always great fun. Two heavyweights slugging it out with good humour and I suspect, a healthy dose of mutual respect. youtu.be/_mUvOnau79s?...

So pleased to see @justin-ng.bsky.social joining @number10cat.bsky.social on here now. My two favourite accounts from the old days on the other side.

Here’s a little thing I’ve done with the fab team at BDaily. I hope you enjoy it. bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

On the road a bit later today so I keep refreshing Audible but still no sign of @shippersunbound.bsky.social’s latest tome, Out (a smidge under 43 hours). Can you give it a nudge please Tim?

A good line from Nick Robinson over on the dark side this morning. On John Prescott, “…he was the Labour in New Labour.”

Great to see one of our own reporting such an impressive set of figures while maintaining a commitment to supporting impact-focused entrepreneurship across the UK. www.business-live.co.uk/technology/s...

Wearing my Honorary Prof hat (there must be such a thing) I’ve been at Teesside University this morning chatting with senior leaders at the International Business School. Hugely impressed by the team’s focus on employability and the delivery of a great student experience.

Great to be at the Child Poverty Summit organised by North East mayor @kimmcguinness.bsky.social today. The slide says it all. The time to act is now and that’s why we at the Chamber are doubling down on our campaign for a Stronger, Fairer North East with good work integral to our region’s economy.

My thanks to His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, president and ceo of Dubai Chambers, for the opportunity to discuss how we can further develop trade between our two regions. I hope our discussion at yesterday's Dubai Business Forum will be just the first of many.

First post on @bsky.app. And I’m sending my Tesla back next year. That’ll teach him.