The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) is pleased to announce The Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills and President of the Board of Trade, will be attending its 200th anniversary dinner as guest speaker on Thursday evening.
Alongside Prime Minister David Cameron, Business Secretary Sajid Javid, led the first ever Northern Powerhouse trade mission to Singapore and Malaysia earlier this year and will be attending the prestigious event at Durham Cathedral to meet business leaders from across the North East.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “For two centuries, innovators and entrepreneurs in the North East have consistently helped to shape the world in which we all live. And time and again they have been able to do so thanks to the support of their local Chamber of Commerce. Today the Chamber represents around 4,000 businesses. Businesses that, between them, employ a third of the region’s workforce and make a massive contribution to economic growth.”
James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Mr Javid to celebrate our 200 year anniversary. As we look back at our successes over the last two centuries, it is also time to look to the future of our region and the exciting changes that lie ahead.
“During the Northern Powerhouse trade mission, NECC was among 62 companies making the region’s case and forging strong links between businesses in the North East and one of the fastest growing economies on the globe.
“Our history confirms that the North East people are the pace-setters in the country and we’re excited to be celebrating this with our members and delegates at Thursday’s celebration.”
The NECC’s 200th anniversary Gala Dinner will not only be the largest ever business dinner in the region’s history, but the highest profile event in the North East’s business calendar in 2015, with 800 key business people in attendance.
NECC anniversary patrons Virgin Money, Port of Tyne, Newcastle International Airport, Gateshead College, Northumbrian Water and Sage have made the event possible alongside events sponsors Heathrow and UK Trade & Investment.
David Laws, chief executive, Newcastle International Airport said: “Newcastle International Airport is proud to be a patron of NECC during its 200th anniversary year. Many of the 4.6 million passengers that travel through the airport on an annual basis are staff of companies based in the North East who are on their way to conduct business elsewhere in the UK, Europe and beyond.
“As the world becomes ever more connected, it’s important that the region has a champion that will work tirelessly to represent North East businesses not just at home but overseas too. The Chamber is that champion.”