One of the region’s leading business support organisations has recruited an experienced economic development specialist.
Alan Jones has joined Tyne and Wear Development Company as its new strategic account officer to provide extra support to key strategic companies in the region.

His role will be to provide support to key businesses across Tyne and Wear to assist with all aspects of expansion including access to finance, property advice, recruitment, training and other business planning.

Alan, who has a post-graduate diploma in economic development, joins the agency from South Tyneside-based TEDCO where he worked closely with start-up businesses.

Over the previous decade he also worked for South Tyneside Council and Wansbeck Council to attract inward investment to the area and encourage enterprise.

Alan said: “I’ve been involved in economic development for more than 15 years so bring a lot of experience to the table. The business landscape has changed significantly in this time and continues to change rapidly.

“Particularly in the current climate, businesses need to be able to access the support they need quickly and receive effective advice they can trust.

“Tyne and Wear Development Company is one the region’s longest standing business support specialists and has an excellent reputation for getting results. I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the team to help local companies achieve success.”
Tyne and Wear Development Company has been working with investors for over 25 years. Funded by its own portfolio of commercial property, it works with partners across the region to attract inward investment and support growth.

The Company has been involved in some of the region’s biggest inward investment deals in recent years, attracting the likes of Tesco Bank, Balfour Beatty and the Marine Management Organisation to the area and creating hundreds of jobs.

Paul Buie, manager of Tyne and Wear Development Company, explains: “It’s an important time for business support and the company as we aim to meet the challenges faced by businesses.

“The last couple of years have probably been our most successful ever and we’re keen to build on that. Having somebody with Alan’s experience and skills to call on adds to the quality of service we can offer investors.”