Bank of England Executive Director spotlights Universities’ expertise

An Executive Director from the Bank of England has highlighted the importance of Universities in contributing to the UK’s regional and national economy, while speaking at Teesside University.

Andy Haldane, Executive Director, Financial Stability at the Bank of England, was the keynote speaker at the University’s Teesside Business School’s annual conference.

He said of Teesside University: 'One of the most impressive things for the whole region is the close links between what’s done here in education and how it transmits to small firms. This link is crucial to the region and to the success of the UK.

'The future comes from the expertise required for new enterprises and new enterprises require education. So the links back to the real economy from what’s done at the University are very strong and need to become stronger still.

'In Asia, small businesses were the seed corn for future growth. Universities have a key role to play in providing that seed corn in the UK.'

An array of speakers Other speakers at the event included Stephen Catchpole, Chief Executive of Tees Valley Unlimited, Executive Coach Juliette Lee and Stephen James, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University’s Business School. Since his appointment as Chief Executive of Tees Valley Unlimited in November 2010, Stephen Catchpole is already making a significant impact on business life in the Tees Valley.

Juliette Lee is an accomplished speaker who regularly presents to senior executive groups up and down the country.

Stephen James has been carrying out research in the economic and business history of the iron and steel industry. He looked at the earlier transition from iron to steel and from small to large firms. The conference came ahead of Teesside’s involvement in Universities Week, from June 13 to 19, which will include focus on growing relationships between small or mid-size businesses and universities.

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