CHANNEL 5’s Gadget Show presenter Jason Bradbury is heading to the Tees Valley to celebrate the launch of a major initiative to get the region’s businesses using digital.

He is helping to launch Get Your Head Into Digital – a series of free workshops to get local businesses to use digital tools to grow and operate more effectively.

Mr Bradbury will be a key speaker at two launch events on Wednesday February 25, at the Thistle Hotel, Middlesbrough from 10.30am, and Teesside University campus in Darlington at 1.00pm.

Get Your Head Into Digital is part of the Government’s national SME Digital Capability Programme. It's been organised by Teesside University and the Tees Valley Business Compass, with funding from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and part-funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

Social media expert, inventor and novelist Mr Bradbury, said: “In today’s digital world companies get a huge benefit from having strong online presence and the know-how to use it to the best business advantage.

“Yet despite a wealth of digital talent and excellence in this region, more than 4,000 SMEs in the Tees Valley have no effective digital presence and low or basic online skills.

“As a result they are missing a big opportunity – and Get Your Head Into Digital’s free workshops aim to put that right.”

The workshops are being held in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar, Hartlepool and Darlington.

Topics include social media, getting your business online, selling your products online, search engine optimisation, and using Gmail and Google Apps in your business.

DigitalCity is leading the initiative, and Director Dr Michael Ryding said: “We’ve built up a well-deserved reputation in the Tees Valley for digital excellence in business.

“But we want to help everyone – from the sole traders to manufacturing and engineering companies - to recognise the potential of making the most of digital.

“Over the coming weeks Get Your Head Into Digital will be delivering workshops and advice to people ranging from those who have absolutely no digital knowledge at all through to those who want to use their skills better.

“We’d encourage everyone to sign up for at least one workshop – they’re free, and they could make a huge difference to your business.”

Find out more about the workshops at www.headintodigital.com or ring 01642 384068.