IN the 13 months since the British electorate voted to leave the European Union, there have been plenty of concerned discussions about the potential effect on the job market.

The issue is especially acute here in the North-East, with the region exporting a larger percentage of its goods and services than any other part of the country. Will companies still be willing to invest and support North-East jobs amid the uncertainty of the ongoing Brexit negotiations?

The answer, when it comes to Quorn, the meat substitute food company, is yes. Quorn have announced a £150m expansion plan that will create and support around 300 jobs at the company’s factory in Billingham, as well as helping to safeguard hundreds more jobs at their head office in Stokesley.

Kevin Brennan, Quorn’s chief executive, says the plan confirms the company’s desire to “invest in British innovation”.

Crucially, it is also a vote of confidence in North-East business. Quorn want to continue investing in the region because they value the skills of the workers in their Billingham base.

They trust local construction companies to carry out the planned building work, and want local managers and operational staff to help oversee the expansion.

Clearly, Britain’s departure from the EU has the potential to cause economic disruption.

There might be difficult times ahead as the Government negotiates the terms of Britain’s withdrawal and attempts to stick to the EU’s two-year timeframe to come up with a deal.

In the interim, though, it is important to recognise that Britain remains open for business, and that the North-East remains a hugely attractive part of the country for businesses to base themselves in.