Event write up 20th October 2022

November 7th 2022

October’s Tees Valley Business Club event held at Teesside International Airport focused on business growth. The Club welcomed Phil Forster, managing director of Teesside International Airport and a panel discussion hosted by Caroline Theobald CBE that included Peter Turner from Cocoon & Bauer, Jessica Tucker from Social Allies, Bob Makin from SockMonkey, Jo Davies from HR Alchemy and Hayley Shields from Teesside International Airport. We also heard an update from Fahmi Mahjoub general manager of KLM UK.

 

Chair of the Club, Jane Reynolds MBE, welcomed members and guests and recalled the Club’s last event held at the airport. Jane invited Phil Forster to discuss the airport’s recent growth. Phil went on to talk about the range of new flights and an enhanced passenger journey with the latest edition of the Sky Bar. 

 

Jane welcomed Caroline Theobald CBE to the stage to host a panel discussion with Peter Turner from Cocoon & Bauer, Jessica Tucker from Social Allies, Bob Makin from SockMonkey, Jo Davies from HR Alchemy and Hayley Shields from Teesside International Airport. 

 

All the businesses on the panel have experienced recent growth with new team members, new clients, larger office space and additional services. Caroline asked the business owners why they have decided to stay in the Tees Valley.

 

Bob from SockMonkey said: “We choose to operate our business here to keep boosting more jobs in the area and enhance the tech hub here in Teesside. We’ve hired employees from other areas of the UK who are now moving into the region.”

 

Caroline asked, what has been a game changer for your business?

 

Hayley from Teesside International Airport said: “Hayley from Teesside International Airport said: “Further investment has been a game changer. We have built a new state-of-the-art cargo hangar as well ascommenced build on the business park development which will drive forward the airports vision.”

 

Jo from HR Alchemy said: “We built a bespoke system so clients could access documents and information; it became extremely important throughout Covid-19.”

 

Jess from Social Allies said: “We created an e-newsletter which happened to get picked up by a global brand, we spoke over the phone, and I told them about my plans including an anti-trolling campaign to educate school children, this has now resulted in a partnership and involves numerous charities with the campaign to launch soon.”

 

Caroline went on to ask what was next for the businesses over the next five years.

 

Bob said: “We have huge plans that should hopefully help with our ambitious growth plans for the studio and have a positive effect on the Teesside tech scene."

 

Jo said: “To keep adapting the business to keep up with the constant changes around business and culture.”

 

Next up we heard from Fahmi Mahjoub general manager of KLM UK who gave us an insight into the airline and its priorities. Operating throughout 17 airports and 450 flights per week across the UK. Fahmi said: “The UK is very important to KLM, Teesside has a high rate of business travel compared to other airports that we operate in.” Fahmi also informed us of the Bluebiz corporate loyalty programme, including how to collect 50 blue credits. 

Claire Gibbons from The Auckland Project told us about Auckland Castle, the galleries, and gardens. We look forward to our June 2023 event at Auckland Castle partnering with Durham Business Club. 

We thank Gemma Holmes and Cornerstone Business Solutions for informing us of the advertising opportunities at the airport and sponsoring our drinks reception. 

Our final event of the year takes place on 24th November and will be held at Wynyard Hall in partnership with the Department of International Trade, we look forward to seeing you.