New local action plan launched to boost Tees Valley economy
Innovate UK has partnered with the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) on a new plan to boost business productivity and innovation in the Tees Valley region.
The plan was unveiled at the Tees Valley Local Action Plan launch today, Thursday 5th September, hosted by CPI’s National Biologics Manufacturing Centre in Darlington. The event was attended by local business leaders and regional stakeholders.
This Local Action Plan for Tees Valley is one of seven regional plans currently in place across the UK, with more in the works. These action plans are part of Innovate UK’s broader ‘Place’ strategy, which aims to unlock regional potential by taking a localised approach to innovation support.
By working closely with regional partners like TVCA, Innovate UK can better understand and respond to the unique strengths, needs and growth opportunities within local economies. This place-based model helps drive regionally inclusive innovation that creates high-value jobs and boosts productivity where it matters most.
Over the past five years Innovate UK has invested £52 million into innovation projects across Tees Valley. This helps businesses de-risk innovation, secure private funding, boost competitiveness, and create jobs.
By working in close collaboration with TVCA to create the Local Action Plan, Innovate UK aims to build on this momentum and capitalise on the region’s strengths in low-carbon technologies, digital, biosciences, and manufacturing. A core focus is establishing Tees Valley as a net zero industrial cluster by 2040 – helping businesses decarbonise, restore biodiversity, attract investment, and generate high-value local employment.
Other shared priorities include strengthening the digital economy and expanding the role of biosciences in tackling climate change by generating clean energy, using more efficient materials, and reducing plastic waste.
To deliver on these ambitions, the Local Action Plan promotes collaboration with TVCA across three key areas:
- Strategic Partnerships creating the right connections for the Tees Valley innovation ecosystem to drive local economic growth.
- Targeted and Accessible Innovation Support tailored to meet the needs of local businesses, complementing other support services.
- Effective Communication and Promotion to raise awareness of available opportunities and inspire more participation in innovation.Innovate UK CEO, Indro Mukerjee welcomed the new plan, stating:
As the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK is focused on building strong partnerships across the UK to support innovation and drive economic growth. I am pleased to launch our collaborative Tees Valley Local Action Plan, which is the result of a strong and close partnership with Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said:
From developing major low-carbon energy projects to creating the digital solutions of tomorrow – our area is renowned as a leader in innovation and creativity. It’s essential we have the right plan in place to build on this further however, and this collaboration with Innovate UK will support key inward investment and deliver well-paid high skilled jobs to drive our local economy forward.