Andy Haldane brings together North East business leaders at The Glasshouse

Andy Haldane CBE brings together major employers to explore strategies for regional prosperity.

Leading figures from the North East business community came together at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Friday 30 January for a Business Champions Networking Breakfast, exploring strategies for growth in 2026 and the region’s economic future.

The event was chaired by Andy Haldane CBE, Chair of The Glasshouse, former Chief Economist at the Bank of England and incoming President of the British Chambers of Commerce. He brought together CEOs and senior leaders from Northumbrian Water, KAEFER, Atom Bank and Sage Group to discuss their regional ambitions.

Speakers at the breakfast shared:

• Northumbrian Water’s ambitions for ‘Net Zero North East England’
• KAEFER’s major construction projects and commitment to regional workforce development
• Atom Bank’s fintech innovation in digital retail banking
• Sage Group’s role in the North East AI ecosystem and implications for the local tech workforce

Recent analysis shows the North East’s productivity grew faster than the UK average between 2019-2023*, driven particularly by strength in manufacturing and construction. Speaking to the role that culture plays, Andy Haldane CBE, Chair of The Glasshouse, said:

“The North East’s recent productivity gains show what can be achieved when strong industries are rooted in place. But productivity isn’t just about investment and infrastructure – it’s about people. Culture helps attract talent, spark ideas and build confidence in a region’s future. Institutions like The Glasshouse play a vital role in turning economic momentum into sustainable growth by anchoring it in creativity, identity and community.”

Evenna Ottey Director of Strategy & Execution UKIA for the Sage Group focused on the unique role that the North East in bringing together people, passion and culture to form a sustainable future:

“Culture and business are not separate conversations. They are deeply connected. Places like the Glasshouse matter because they shape identity, attract talent and signal confidence. They tell the world that this is a region that values creativity, expression and connection … and those things are powerful drivers of growth.”The Glasshouse, the largest cultural charity in the region, has contributed £1bn to the North East economy over 20 years. Through its Business Champions programme, businesses support not just live music, but community, creativity, education and the wider regional economy. As a not-for-profit organisation championing live music, music education and creativity, The Glasshouse supports thousands of young people to learn music each year – most at no cost to them.

The event demonstrated how cultural infrastructure can serve as a convening space for regional business leaders, supporting jobs and skills while making the North East a destination for both culture and commerce.