SENIOR officers from the armed forces of several countries met with North-East business leaders as part of a tour of the UK’s regions.

At an event hosted by Darlington Building Society (DBS) at its head office at Sentinel House in the town, military officers from around the globe and all three British armed services met representatives of North-East business.

These business leaders included DBS chief executive Colin Fyfe, Entrepreneurs’ Forum chairman Nigel Mills, and Institute of Directors Regional chairman Graham Robb.

The event was organised as part of a course at Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), which is run to prepare senior officers and officials for high office in their respective organisations.

The business leaders gave presentations on their areas of expertise, followed by discussions on such topics as the region’s economy, governance, education and media.

Upon their return to the Royal College, the visitors will draw on their experiences in the North-East and other regions in the conclusion of their UK module.

Colin Fyfe said: “This was a great opportunity to display what the people and businesses of the North East have to offer the world, and to share our best practices with leaders from a completely different field.”