Client Testimonials

Across industries and company size, businesses expanding into North England have found success. Here is what some companies, large and small, have said about expanding their businesses to the North England area:

"CPI [Centre for Process Industry in Tees Valley] understands our needs and this collaboration is a key building block in our R&D investment. We needed a particular competency and would have struggled to acquire it under our own steam. This support has lowered the innovation risk for us and is enabling us to be a player in new markets."
-- Gary Rhoades, DuPont Teijin Films (DTF)

"There’s no doubt in my mind that Manchester is the most important media center outside of London, and increasingly that means digital. From our point of view, it was the perfect position in which to open an office. Manchester has a fantastic infrastructure and transport system."
-- Andrew Barke, Senior Agency Relationship Manager Google

"We set up our European headquarters, MBNA’s first overseas subsidiary, in Chester. One of the most important drivers for choosing this location was the quality of people in the region and the diversity of skills they could offer us. MBNA has continued to expand and 4,000 staff now work here providing superior service to more than 6 million customers."
-- General Charles Krulak, Senior Vice Chairman and CEO, MBNA

"The region offers many advantages. There is a plentiful supply of good quality graduates. We are close to leading university research facilities and in an area with a rich heritage of scientific and technological excellence."
-- David Brennan, Chief Executive, AstraZeneca

"People from the North of England seem naturally creative and interested in cutting edge technologies. The capital of culture has attracted lots of skilled and talented games developers from all over the country, all with such high levels of enthusiasm and dedication to being part of an exciting growth for the city."
-- Michelle Langton, Operations Director, Bizzare Creations, Liverpool

"We had to be confident that we could quickly create a team capable of delivering a high level of service to our clients. The strength of the labor market has more than matched our expectations. We’ve been hugely impressed by the quality and volume of candidates."
-- Jackie Williams, Managing Director, Manchester Office, Bank of New York Mellon

"North England’s many universities and technical colleges ensure a rich flow of IT and software skills into the IBM Customer Service Center Operation. The acquisition and retention of software skills is critical for IBM to remain competitive. The Manchester location itself is ideal, and is attractive to technical graduates who wish to pursue a career within a global IT operation"
-- Darren Bell, manager of IBM’s Customer Service Center in Manchester

"S1 Corporation has based a UK Development Center in Manchester because of its tech talent pool. The region appeals to global companies like S1 because Manchester Airport provides a gateway to the rest of the world."
-- A spokesman from the Human Resources Department of S1

"Helping companies to market advanced products abroad is vitally important, particularly for high technology SMEs. The UK is second only to the U.S. in the strength and depth of capabilities in biotech and pharmaceuticals, and we can boast an extensive development infrastructure to aid companies wishing to invest in the UK."
-- Dr. Kevin Cox, President of Avecia Biologics, Ltd

"The future looks bright here at Seal Sands, and the situation is really positive. There is a definite long-term future here. We are here to stay in the region."
-- Peter Trickett, Operations Director, Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals

"GE’s expanding presence with almost 3,000 employees in North England is evidence of the excellent skills base which drives our engineering, infrastructure and money businesses. We view North England as a great springboard for further expansion of our business opportunities."
-- Sir William Castell, Vice Chairman of the Board, General Electric Company

"The market fundamentals are incredibly positive, and we anticipate substantial growth in bioethanol demand both in the UK and across Europe. This first facility in Teesside provides the ideal platform from which to establish our position."
-- Robert Easton, Managing Director, The Carlyle Group