Business & Enterprise North East was set up in 2007 to improve companies’ access to business support services. Chief executive Alastair MacColl looks at its role as Britain emerges from recession.

AS the North East, and the rest of the UK, begins to emerge from the challenges of the past two years, it has never been more important for businesses to broaden their horizons, seek out new markets and be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that the economic upturn will provide.

Business & Enterprise North-East (BE-NE) now delivers a wider and more comprehensive portfolio of support for businesses than ever before, designed quite simply to help more companies to start, succeed and grow.

This service is designed to increase the support available to companies of all sizes gearing up to win new business.

We provide everything from free, independent advice and guidance through Business Link’s team of expert advisers, to support for companies looking to trade and invest overseas through the North East Regional International Trade Office.

We also provide advice on procurement and tendering for large contracts via Compete North East, support for skills development and support for innovation through universities and colleges.

Business support in our region has never been so comprehensive, integrated or effective.

With thousands of businesses in the region accessing BE-NE’s growing portfolio of services, and more than 30,000 individuals and companies seeking advice and support from Business Link each year, it is clear that our region is packed with innovative businesses generating new opportunities.

In the year ahead, we intend to help even more businesses to achieve their ambitions.

Regardless of size, stage or sector, companies can gain a competitive edge and boost performance and profitability by generating improvements and opportunities across all areas of their business.

From attending events to generating new business leads or implementing training programmes, to improving efficiency in the workplace, there are things that all businesses can do to strengthen their position.

And we can offer the support to help businesses identify these opportunities and meet their objectives.

Our region should be incredibly proud of its resilience in the face of some of the harshest economic conditions for a generation, but it is now time for us all to work together to ensure our long-term prosperity through winning new business and showing the rest of the UK that the North East really does mean business.