North East Chapter

The North East Chapter is based in Newcastle upon Tyne, and covers the counties of Northumberland, Durham and Tyne and Wear, facing the North Sea. The region has a population of 2.6 million. The region was historically strong in heavy industries, mining and process industries, but has in recent decades shifted to becoming more mixed with a knowledge-based economy. Technology start-up figures are the highest in the country compared to its size, and skills are improving faster than the national average.