Stronger links between housing and business were on the agenda when Thirteen Group, the North East’s largest registered landlord group, hosted a visit to the region by Carolyn Fairbairn, the new Director General of the CBI.
Ms Fairbairn joined members of the CBI organisation for a regional Council meeting, held at Thirteen’s Hudson Quay offices at Middlehaven in Middlesbrough, in what was her first engagement outside of London since becoming Director General.
Thirteen’s Chief Executive Alison Thain, Chair of CBI North East, used the occasion to show Ms Fairbain how the Middlehaven area of Middlesbrough had been redeveloped, and to champion the stronger links between housing and business that she is making a focus of her CBI role.
The meeting was also joined by Councillor Sue Jeffrey, Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, who spoke about the Tees Valley devolution deal and how it will benefit the region.
Ms Thain said: “The developing Middlehaven area is a great example of how the Tees Valley can become stronger and deliver for business, as well as the community, so it was a great opportunity to show Carolyn what has been achieved here and to talk about what more can be done.
“There is a real opportunity to create more integrated thinking that brings together both business and housing, to ensure that we have the right mix of homes to suit all people, whether they are out of work, starting out in a first job or in a senior executive position.
“Only by getting that mix right can we ensure that we attract people to create opportunities here and also look after the most vulnerable in our society.”
