New service aims to welcome more international businesses to Northumberland

From left, Lee Andrews, director of Kelburn Recruitment; Julie Dodds, head of economic growth at Arch, Matt Cormack, associate at Ward Hadaway; John Hildreth, business growth and investment manager at Arch; and David Fish, corporate finance director at Baldwins Accountancy.

Access Northumberland is a soft-landing service delivered by Arch Business.

It will provide dedicated support to accelerate new investment and growth from international companies into Northumberland, creating jobs and prosperity across the county and the wider region.

It aims to work with around 20 international companies and to support the creation of up to 100 jobs over the next three years.

The service provides an easy way for companies interested in the area to understanding and explore opportunities in Northumberland with limited risk to their business.

The service includes free expertise and guidance from the private sector, with law firm Ward Hadaway providing assistance with legal support and company structures, Kelburn Recruitment providing advice with talent and skills and Baldwins Accountancy offering financial and accounting support.

Alongside this, Arch will help companies to find the right business properties, access potential funding, develop links with local suppliers and even find the right homes in Northumberland for key staff to live in once they choose to locate here.

Coun Dave Ledger, chairman of Arch, said: “Northumberland is an excellent location where businesses can thrive and people can have access to high-quality jobs.

“With many established businesses who have already made Northumberland their home and with easy access to Newcastle Airport and direct routes via the A1, the county is certainly on the map as a perfect international business location.

“The new Access Northumberland service means that Arch can now provide the complete package of support to attract and land international businesses in Northumberland.”