editor’s WORD

4 Hello and welcome to the latest edition of North East Times Magazine.

Whether its natural introversion, an associated fear of appearing pretentious or simply a lack of time, we’ve never – as a region – truly yet cracked the art of celebrating our successes.

Hairy Biker Si King précised it very well last year, telling this publication the region still carries a ‘steady on, let’s just gan canny’ attitude.

But we are getting better. Much better, in fact.

The whole raison d'être of this publication is to champion the fine achievements of the region’s many and varied individuals and organisations, and the sense of celebration is echoing increasingly loudly from corridors, laboratories, lecture halls and factory floors to the region’s streets and beyond.

However, every now and again, it still sometimes takes an outsider’s view to make us fully appreciate our standing.

Take Creative Assembly, for example.

The UK’s largest video games developer – which is part of SEGA Europe – recently announced its expansion into Newcastle (under the moniker Creative Assembly North) complete with a promise of around 100 jobs.

Led by well-known industry figure Giselle Stewart, the venture builds on an already potent digital sector (look out for the evolution of Middlesbrough's SockMonkey Studios in this issue too).

Creative Assembly, in theory, could have gone anywhere.

But the fact it chose the North East to complement existing Sussex and Bulgarian bases, because of the technological strengths and deep talent pool here, makes for a fantastic appraisal.

It was the same in our latest VISION 2031 roundtable discussion, which focused on the measures needed to deliver fresh growth and prosperity.

Now, it should be said (and you can read the full piece on pages 63 to 70) that panellists were, in the main, complimentary in their assessments of the region.

But it was very interesting to listen to the takes of two speakers hailing from outside the area.

We know this region, like all, has areas marked for improvement, be they across investment, transport or skills, for example.

And we know a more unified ‘North East’ voice wouldn’t do any harm either, certainly in terms of catching external eyes.

So it was refreshing to hear Aviva’s Mark Bousfield tell delegates the region is well set to make sustained progress thanks to its proposed devolution deal, which – prior to the Spring Budget reboots of Manchester and the West Midlands – “was the best in the country”.

And he was backed by Northstar Ventures’ Dominic Endicott, who spoke of the Tyne and Wear Metro rail system as a “jewel” and a ready-made “nervous system” capable of co-ordinating population and economic growth.

The celebratory tone continues in the first of a new series of articles alongside independent law firm Ward Hadaway, where we highlight its latest North East Fastest 50 list through debutant Cleveland Group.

And it endures in our feature with cover star Chris Kamara, where the boy from the Boro looks back –with trademark smile – on the highs of a career on and off the pitch and how, after being diagnosed with apraxia of speech, he is using his experiences as a force for good to help others with the condition.

I hope you enjoy this issue.

Five minutes with...

Championed by Hairy Biker Si King and known the country over for mixing stotties with strong social commitments, Newcastle’s Big River Bakery is an organisation firmly on the rise. Founder Andy Haddon tells Colin Young about its progress, the importance of inclusivity and his ambition to extend the venture across future years.

The region’s top footballing talent was celebrated at a starstudded ceremony. The North East Football Writers’ Association Awards championed the individuals and teams – from Premier League to grassroots level – that have lit up the soccer scene over the last 12 months.

Building for the futureIn the latest instalment of VISION 2031, panellists discuss the changing landscape of the North East, and the importance of maintaining the momentum through fresh investment, skills drives and infrastructure improvements.

Adding to Wynyard Hall’s already exclusive offer, The Glass House restaurant is home to plot-to-plate dishes that truly delight. North East Times Magazine looks at the endeavour’s unique offer, which has more than caught the attention of guests’ palates.