Member Meeting – 17th September 2025

Presenter: Angus White (Naylors Gavin Black)

Key Points Discussed:

• Sector Importance: The North East Health and Life Sciences sector supports 8,000 jobs directly and is a crucial part of the growth economy
• Current Challenges:
• The Biosphere facility is now at capacity
• Price points don’t suit all businesses
• Rising demand for scaling SMEs with limited affordable lab space available
• Opportunities: Repurposing vacant retail and commercial properties for lab use
• Key Requirements: Flexible, modular space near research hubs
• Barriers Identified:
• For Developers: High costs, technical complexity, and uncertain demand
• For Occupiers: High rental costs
• Solutions Proposed:
• Repurposing existing buildings as faster and cheaper alternative
• Creating practical tools to tackle identified barriers
• Current Work: NGB working with Ryders to identify range of lab sizes with proof of funding and needs
• Timeline: Report to be completed and published by end of month, with findings to be shared with DC members via email

Note: Biosphere 2 development is approximately 2 years away

Presenter: Louise Sloan (Newcastle City Council)

Slides available in members area.

Review Process:

• Independent peer review conducted with external voices examining the planning service offered by Newcastle City Council

Key Findings:

Louise outlined how the review found the service to be a well-performing authority with strong leadership. The Council was commended for its digital innovation, however the review revealed a shortfall in the way systems and processes interlink and more empowerment needed for staff to make key decisions without referring up the chain of command.

Further details available on slides.

Next Steps:

• Louise and the team prepared an action plan which went to cabinet on 15/09, this was approved and the team is now working on the plans.
• Part of this plan is an externally facing sounding board so that different organisations can feed into the system and evaluate progress.
• Louise welcomes DC organisations to join this board and feedback

Presenter: Pippa Heron (Avison Young)

Slides available in members area.

Key Points Discussed:

• Pippa highlighted details of the site, ownership and location and the plans for 1,100 homes to be developed across Quayside West and wider Forth Yards site.
• Procurement Process. The procurement process is now beginning and the team has 12 months to secure a development partner. 

Timings and Infrastructure. Full details regarding timings are included within the slides, but an important notice was that significant infrastructure obligations were included in the procurement and the responsibility of the development partner.

Presenter: Richard Dawson (NGI)

Recent Activities:

• MIPIM Participation: Continued representation under Invest Newcastle brand over past 10 years, this will continue into 2026
• UK REiiF: Successfully launched North East Investment Prospectus this year and are beginning plans for next year

Upcoming Initiatives:

• Campaign Launch: New campaign for MIPIM to be launched in coming weeks
• Expo REAL: Event in 3 weeks – opportunity for project market engagement
• Saudi Arabia Mission:
• Positioning North East as UK entry point for Saudi business
• Business delegation planned
• Open invitation for businesses with Saudi market interests

Video presentation introducing the Regeneration Brainery initiative, scheduled for November 3rd-7th. Active outreach to potential partners and stakeholders ongoing.

Presenter: Sandra Manson (DC Chair, Pegasus Group)

Key Updates:

• Growth Plan: Interim plan to be approved in November
• Portfolio Structure: Overview of established portfolios and their relevance to DC operations
• Board Appointment: Sandra appointed to “A North East we are Proud to Call Home” board
• Appointments: Finalising remaining board appointments

Documentation: Cabinet paper to be shared with DC members

Members formed into groups to discuss the structure of DC, its operations and the membership offering. Following 45 minutes to discuss, groups fed back to the wider membership.

This feedback was noted and will be reviewed by the steering group committee to make plans moving forward for 2026. This will be shared across membership channels.