AN outgoing business development boss says the region will continue being an attractive place for investment and growth long after his departure.

Dr Simon Goon is stepping down as managing director of Business Durham later this summer to take a “once-in-ablue- moon opportunity” with a technology company.

However, Dr Goon has played down the impact of his leaving, telling The Northern Echo that the momentum built up during his tenure at the organisation will provide fertile ground for prolonged expansion and job creation.

The former Sunderland University degree and PhD student took over at Business Durham, which is Durham County Council’s business division, from Welshman Stewart Watkins in mid-2013, and has overseen a number of endeavours.

They have included the ongoing expansion of NetPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, a rise in commercial property occupancy rates and further backing for the North-East Satellite Applications Catapult Centre of Excellence, which has seen funding extended to help get firms into the space sector.

He also worked to get the £3.4m Salvus House hub, based on the outskirts of Durham City, off the ground and has now confirmed the base, which aims to help smaller firms grow, will soon feature incubator space to nurture start-up businesses.

Speaking exclusively to the Echo, Dr Goon said: “We have a brilliant team here and we’ve done a lot on growing the economy and business in Durham.

“The team are committed to improving the economy and raising the profile for business.

“It has been a privilege and it’s not like the organisation will crumble with me leaving.

“There is a huge amount of momentum that has built up.”

Dr Goon announced his departure earlier this year after revealing he will become chief operating officer at Synoptica, based in Seaham, east Durham.

The business uses artificial intelligence software to provide a greater understanding of businesses and their activities by ranking them on a number of areas, such as their potential for innovation.

Confirming he expects the operation to create highlyskilled jobs across analytical and coding work as it grows in the region, Dr Goon said it was a chance he couldn’t turn down.

He added: “This is a once-ina- blue-moon opportunity and I thought to myself, ‘this might not come around again’. I’ll be doing what needs to be done to get the business going.”

Last month, Seaham-based BE Group revealed it had become a major investor in Synoptica.

The company is known for its support work, having previously secured a contract to administer a Government research programme and boost small businesses across the UK.