Business support organisation The Water Hub has received a total
of £120,000 funding that will help it continue to back innovative
solutions to local environmental challenges.
The funding has come from the North East Local Enterprise
Partnership and partners, including the Environment Agency,
Durham County Council, Durham University, and Northumbrian Water
Ltd; allowing the initiative to establish a business development
plan for how it may continue to offer support for research and
innovation in the region.
By bringing together the water industry and local businesses on
environmental projects, The Water Hub has provided direct support
to 54 organisations through collaborations, research development,
and business support.
It is estimated that this work has resulted in a boost of more
than £1.7 million for the local economy.
George Gerring of The Water Hub and Senior Operations Officer for
the Environment Agency, said:
We are so excited to be entering phase 2 of our vision, under
the funding and development guidance of the Environment Agency,
to help broker and initiate key relationships between the
environmental and business sectors.
We are in a healthy position to scale and grow The Water Hub
into establishing the organisation as a national and
international asset. We have proven that the projects we help
instigate produce a direct return on investment, which should
be our magnet towards attracting future investment to the
region.
This is a global calling card to show investors that the North
East of England is open for business, and to demonstrate what
the region has to offer as a vibrant and ambitious place to
develop new water and environmentally centred products.
In these uncertain times during the global pandemic we are also
wanting to show our support towards SMEs and provide a positive
platform for the region to build upon.
, Strategy and Policy
Director at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said:
The Water Hub has been an excellent initiative to draw together
partners, businesses and communities in the drive to develop
solutions to key water and environmental challenges and has
created an excellent collaborative model which has the
potential to position the North East as a leading region for
this work.
It’s a pleasure to be a partner to the Environment Agency,
water sector and universities involved and look forward to the
next stage of our work together.
As one of a group of natural assets, water is identified in the
Strategic Economic Plan and Local Industrial Strategy as an
important economic opportunity for our region, not least as the
world seeks responses to Climate Change. We’re looking forward
to continuing this partnership as this crucial work continues.
During a recent survey of businesses supported by The Water Hub,
one SME, Jack Shuttleworth, Project Manager for SEL Environmental
Ltd, said:
The Water Hub has helped us to secure approximately £200,000 of
new business, however the potential value is huge as
collaborating with The Water Hub has allowed us to get in front
of huge businesses.
For further information about The Water Hub please
visit www.thewaterhub.org.uk and
follow them on Twitter @hub_water
