Ensuring Britain’s
success in an increasingly competitive global economy will be the
focus of a keynote speech by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson
today at the launch of ‘FutureStory Newcastle and the North East’
at the Discovery Museum.
FutureStory Newcastle and the North East
forms part of a series of six books made up of a collection of
local case studies, with accompanying DVDs, tracing how people and
businesses in cities and regions across the country are adapting
to the global economy.
The book is aimed at a variety of audiences but there are three
key groups to which it will be of particular interest:
· Key influencers who are charged with creating strategic
direction for the city/region
· Young people who are growing up in the age of the global economy
· Businesses and entrepreneurs who compete on a global scale
The project highlights how businesses in regions across the UK
can take best advantage of the opportunities offered by the global
marketplace. The FutureStory book launched today aims to puts a
human face on globlisation – how it is working in Newcastle and
the North East.
Produced with the help of innovative enterprises, education
providers and other organisations across Newcastle, FutureStory’s
“Local Heroes” tell the story of their city. The book explores its
past, present and future and how the traditional jobs of coal,
shipbuilding and heavy industry in the region have been replaced
by innovation, science and research as well as entrepreneurial
businesses operating on a global platform.
This event will emphasise the entrepreneurial spirit and
industrial skills that characterise the region. In addition, a
panel discussion hosted by Newcastle University Business School
will see some of the ‘Local Heroes’ bring to life what it takes to
succeed on the global stage.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:
“Ten years ago, too much of the talk about our great industrial
cities was about what had been lost. These days, it’s increasingly
about what’s new, the new jobs and industries, the new links to
the global economy.
“That renaissance is being led by our people, backed up by with
public investment and a strong commitment to enterprise. One of
the clearest messages of the FutureStory initiative is that we
can’t let the recent global financial crisis derail that progress.”
Lucy Parker, Chair, Talent & Enterprise Taskforce, says
“Britain’s cities have always depended on enterprising people and
innovative businesses for their success. With increasing global
competition, this is more true than ever. So the “future story” of
Newcastle and the rest of the North East is all abut finding new
ways to build on their strengths – and developing new ones.”
Newcastle University Business School’s Visiting Distinguished
International Scholar, Professor Scott Shane will also talk at the
event, focusing on his extensive research into entrepreneurship
and innovation.
Professor Shane comments:
"This event is important because it is indicative of
Newcastle and the North East’s commitment to focusing its
attention on building high potential, high growth companies.”
Notes to Editors
1. Organisations contributing to the book included Sage, IHC
Engineering, St. Cuthberts High School, The Sage Gateshead, Centre
for Life, Narec and Newcastle Business School.
2. The Talent and Enterprise Taskforce, and the Department for
Business Innovation and Skills has partnered with the Centre for
Cities to produce a series of forward-looking books, to promote a
wider understanding of how globalisation is changing everyday
lives and jobs.
3. The Talent and Enterprise Taskforce is based in the Department
of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) Central to the role of
the Taskforce is promoting the imperative of unlocking talent.
4. The Centre for Cities is a non-partisan research and policy
institute, working with cities, employers and central Government
to help improve cities’ economic performance.
5. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
6. Newcastle University Business Schoolhas a diverse and
cosmopolitan student community comprising 18,000 undergraduate and
postgraduate students from 110 countries. Over the next five years
the University aims to grow this community by increasing the
number of international students enrolling on its programmes.
We request that you please ensure that Newcastle University
Business School’s full name is mentioned in any copy and that it
is not shortened or abbreviated in any way as to save confusion
with other institutions.
For Newcastle University Business School media enquiries please
contact Hayley or Sujarda at Karol Marketing Group on 0191 265
7765 or e-mail: hayley@karolmarketing.com
/ sujarda@karolmarketing.com
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Alex. Hamilton
Phone: 020 7215 5976
Alex.Hamilton@bis.gsi.gov.uk