NEEF

The North East Economic Forum is looking forward to announcing news updates and events in the coming month.  Further information will be available soon.

The North East Economic Forum Annual Conference took place on 18th February 2010.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP were two of many to address a regional audience on a Low Carbon Economy.

Read more about the conference here.

If you missed the conference please view the video footage on the day.

Date: February 25th 2010
Time: 11.30am – 1.15pm
Venue: National Glass Centre, Sunderland
Cost: Free

Mark Hoban, MP, Shadow Minister for the Treasury will address the seminar on the prospect of a future Conservative Government for the North East Economy.

Running order for the event:

11.45   :  Registration and lunch

12.15   :  Dave Smith

               Chief Executive, City of Sunderland Council 

             :  Mark Hoban MP

               Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury 

             : Question and Answer session

 13.00   :  Vote of thanks from Ian Dormer, One North East Board Member

View a copy of the agenda here.

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Date: 18th February 2010
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Venue: Ramside Hall, Durham

North East England and Low Carbon Economy

It is now widely agreed that the development of the low carbon economy is an opportunity to transform the prospects and well being of North East England. Building on the region’s rich strengths and capabilities in such areas as energy technology and marine engineering, much activity and investment has taken place over recent years, and particularly in the 12 months since the last NEEF conference. This investment and activity has established the basis for future success in the recovery from the recession.

View the speakers biographies and sponsors details here.

A copy of John Barton, RENEW presentation slides are available here.

Highlights of the last 12 months have included the announcement of the intention by Nissan to locate its electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Sunderland, the designation by Government of the national Low Carbon Economic Area for Electric Vehicles; the emergence of the region as a world leader in electric vehicle infrastructure; the development of new companies engaged in low carbon vehicles and related technology; the announcement of Round 3 Development Zones for Offshore Wind, with an anticipated £100bn investment; the establishment and growth in the region of national development centres for offshore wind technology, wave energy technology, printable electronics and industrial biotechnology; and the establishment of the JEREMIE fund to support the region’s increasing number of new businesses.

However, there have of course been lowlights, including the difficulties affecting the steel industry and the chemicals industry, with their particular consequences for Tees Valley; ongoing reduced demand and general business difficulties, not least in construction and logistics; and high levels of unemployment, despite all indications that the region has fared better than in previous recessions.

Our challenge now is to move forward, using our new and revitalized strengths, to achieve more widespread and long-term success. Continuing difficulties affecting other parts of the region’s economy and the strong likelihood of major public sector spending cuts, reinforce the need for us to make the most of our opportunities in the low carbon and related sectors.

How we will make this shift in scale and pace is the theme of this year’s NEEF conference. Delegates will get the opportunity to hear and debate: the national and international context for the development of the economy post the recession, international examples of success relevant to the region, and new developments within North East England.

Key questions that will be asked will include: what will the new political landscape look like and what will be its impact on the region; how do we assist more companies to benefit from the growth in new activities; how will we ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure and resources; how will we capitalize on our new-found world-leading position in some key new markets; and how do we enable all of our region to benefit, including those parts badly affected by the recession?

Download this paper here.

Date: 5th February
Time: 11.30pm – 2.00pm
Venue: Grand Hotel Tynemouth

We are delighted that Ken Clarke MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Business is able to address the next North East Economic Forum seminar to be held on Friday 5th of February 2010 at the Grand Hotel Tynemouth.
Ken will provide what we are sure will be a thought provoking analysis of the future for the regions businesses.  View the agenda here.

Kenneth Clarke was born in 1940. He was educated at Nottingham High School and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

He is a barrister-at-law, having been called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1963 and becoming QC in 1980. He has practised on the Midland Circuit, based in Birmingham.

He first became active in politics at Cambridge, where he was President of the Union, and Chairman of the University Conservative Association. He was also the National Chairman of the Federation of University Conservative Associations.
He unsuccessfully contested Mansfield in the General Elections of 1964 and 1966. He was elected MP for Rushcliffe at the 1970 General Election, gaining the seat from Labour.

Ken has extensive experience in government, spanning three decades. He has served in two of the four Great Offices of State: Chancellor and Home Secretary.

During his time as Chancellor of the Exchequer, from 1993 to 1997, Britain recovered from recession and was set on a course of economic growth with low inflation. In addition, the budget deficit was halved and interest rates and unemployment fell. New Labour had simply to stick to his plans for the first three years of their Government to achieve a budget surplus. He bequeathed to Labour a golden economic legacy.

In December 2005, Ken was appointed head of the Democracy Task Force by David Cameron. The review ran for 18 months and looked at ways to reengage people in the democratic process and restore trust in politics by restoring Cabinet Government and accountability to the House of Commons.

In January 2009, Ken joined the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, bringing with him a wealth of experience from the public and private sectors.

Date: February 25th 2010
Time: 11.30am – 2.30pm
Venue: National Glass Centre, Sunderland
Cost: Free

Mark Hoban, MP, Shadow Minister for the Treasury will address the seminar on the prospect of a future Conservative Government for the North East Economy.

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The North East Economic Forum has had a great start to 2010 with two outstanding events.  On 11th January 2010 Iain Wright MP joined us at Bridging the Skills Gap addressing a regional audience. 

on 12th January 2010 we were delighted to be joined by Ivan Hodac at the Annual Dinner.  Over 200 guests enjoyed the evening.

View the photo’s from the past events here.

Date: January 11th 2010
Time: 8.30am – 10.45am
Venue: Gosforth Park Hotel
Cost: Free

On 11th January 2010 you were invited to join the North East Economic Forum and Iain Wright, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships.

Read the Statement of Employment and Skills for the region here.  View the agenda for the event here Skills Agenda.

View the photo’s from the breakfast seminar here.

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North East England – Leading the way to a Low Carbon future

Date: January 12th 2010
Time: 7.00pm – 11.00pm
Venue: Gosforth Park Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne
Cost: Free of charge

On 12th January 2010 we were delighted to host the North East Economic Forum Annual Dinner.

The North East has been designated the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area (LECA) specialising in ultra-low carbon vehicles and the announcement that Nissan is intending to invest more than £200 million over the next five years in a new battery factory in Sunderland. The North East LCEA will focus on supporting the transformation of the automotive industry, providing support for innovation and demonstration and skills training.

Ivan Hodac, the Secretary-General, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association agreed to give the key-note address. Mr Hodac is the senior representative in Brussels of the 15 major European Automobile Manufacturers, as well as being counterpart for other industry associations, NGOs and consumer organisations across Europe.

The dinner will be of interest to key stakeholders charged with securing the regions economic future within this vital sector.

Read more about Ivan Hodac.

View the photo’s of the evening here.

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