Design to transform north east

Design is among a host of service sectors to be involved in a new initiative aimed at turning north east England into one of Europe’s top ten regional centres for business within ten years.

The 10/10 Business Services Challenge will encourage rival firms in the professional services and financial sectors to work on developing the regional economy and its competitive position.

Design is being included in the marketing services sector as “a key business service”, says Susan Johnson, chief executive of the Northern Business Forum, a body established by the northern region of the Confederation of British Industry and the North East Chamber of Commerce. The NBF is organising the challenge.

“We had 300 representatives from a variety of sectors at the launch last week and 150 who want to participate have been in touch,” says Johnson.