Testimonials

We were recommended Quest by the NECC, and from the start, the experience has been incredibly informative. They have been excellent in guiding us through the process. The service has exceeded our expectations – extremely professional, and I feel confident that choosing Quest as our HR partner was the right move for our business.

So far, there have been no challenges, as Quest has provided clear guidance to ensure we stay up to date and compliant with new legislation. I would highly recommend their services, particularly for smaller SMEs, as it eliminates the need for in-house HR personnel while ensuring everything is aligned with evolving employment laws. Although we’ve only just started working with Quest, we’re already impressed with the level of support and expertise they provide

Paul Pringle

Solarglide

Dawson & Sanderson Corporate Travel has been delighted to be involved in the North East Chamber of Commerce ecosystem. Collaborating with other businesses across the region is vital, and the ecosystem provides a valuable platform for developing new business leads and meaningful connections.

Through attending a range of events, we have had the opportunity to showcase our Travel Management services and highlight our Fee Free offering to Chamber members. The ecosystem has successfully connected us with several businesses that have since appointed Dawson & Sanderson as their corporate travel partner, and we continue to engage with other interested organisations.

We are proud to promote a cost‑effective, efficient and expert travel programme to support employees across the region, and we look forward to building further relationships in the future.

The ecosystem has clearly demonstrated the power and effectiveness of collaboration, and we value the role it continues to play in supporting business growth.

Judith Alderson, Commercial & Corporate Director, Corporate Travel Services

Dawson & Sanderson

Joining the NECC has been more valuable than any of us at Keepl imagined. The member events and programmes have really broadened our knowledge, but what’s stood out most is how approachable and supportive the team is whenever we need a bit of guidance.

The discounted access to meeting rooms and business lounges is something we now rely on regularly, too. The NECC has quickly become a key partner for us, thanks to all of you for all that you do.

Chris Campbell, Co-Founder

Keepl Social

It is rare to find a co-working space that is not just a desk and chair. The monitor, keyboard and mouse were such a wonderful surprise, and it was a really good environment that helped me be productive.

The receptionist was so welcoming and friendly. She really looked after me and went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.

Jane Bilham, Director

Vireo Education

As a North East technology business, it’s easy to feel like your voice doesn’t always reach the people making decisions at a UK level. Joining the Chamber changed that for us.

The connections we’ve built have opened doors we genuinely didn’t expect, including an invitation to Scale Up Britain with the Chancellor at 10 Downing Street, and the events and programmes have helped keep us informed, connected and sharp in a fast moving regional landscape. There’s also real reassurance in knowing the Chamber is representing North East businesses at a policy level.

For HTG, it’s been a smart investment in both our profile and our growth.

Kevin Howell, Founder & CEO

Howell Technology Group

We’ve been a member of the Chamber for many years, and it continues to play an important role in how we stay connected to the North East business community. As our organisation has grown, access to a strong network of peers and opportunities to share insights has been invaluable. The senior leaders' breakfasts in particular create space for open, honest discussion and meaningful relationships with other business leaders. The Chamber team are consistently supportive and proactive, and their commitment to the region’s growth is clear in everything they do.

Leanne Chambers, Managing Director

NRG & Greenbean

NECC membership has been game-changing. As a small start-up, we struggled to become part of conversations, especially with larger organisations. Working with NECC, they have helped us connect and meet a wide range of companies to debate, discuss and explain our services. We've also been asked to contribute to events, including speaking and exhibiting roles. The community and NECC team have really helped ignite our growth.

Ron Wilcox, Founder

Frontier Training

Being part of NECC has proved an essential choice for Hypernorth. It has enabled us to engage with the North East business community, be part of the conversation on key issues, and connect with many suppliers and customers too. We have gained economic insight and knowledge that has proved of real value to our business strategy.

Jason Cochrane, Creative Director

Hypernorth

Being part of the North East Chamber of Commerce has genuinely strengthened our presence in the region. We originally joined to broaden our network and connect with organisations facing similar challenges and opportunities, and the Chamber has delivered exactly that. Through events, briefings, and the support of the Chamber team, we’ve built meaningful relationships that have helped us grow our understanding of the North East business landscape. The visibility and connections we’ve gained have been invaluable, and it’s reassuring to be part of a community that actively champions local businesses.

Lee Eckert, Operations Manager

ArvatoConnect

For me, doing business in the North East always points back to the Chamber – it’s where we meet the people that become the foundation of our client relationships and of our growth opportunities. When you add in the support offered by the Chamber itself and the value of the peer network you can build, being a member makes absolute sense. The North East Chamber of Commerce has been, and remains, a big part of our business story.

Simon Merchant, Director

Interdigitate

We joined the Chamber to build stronger relationships across the North East and stay close to what’s really happening in the business community. It’s been genuinely valuable, the events are well run, the networking is meaningful, and there’s always someone on the Chamber team willing to make an introduction or help join the dots. For us, it’s helped raise visibility in the region and opened doors to conversations we might not have had otherwise. It’s been a worthwhile partnership and one we’re glad we invested in.

Craig Smith, New Business Relationship Manager

Allica Bank

We have been a member of the NECC since launching in the summer of 2023, but have had interactions with the Chamber for many years before that. We feel that as a local business, it is important to support the region’s organisations in their efforts to boost the North East economy, as well as meet new people and firms to further strengthen our connections and network. It is vital that the region has a collective voice, and the Chamber, along with many other membership businesses, does a great job promoting the area. A strong region means a healthy business community, which in turn means we all benefit and hopefully thrive. I’ve met some wonderful people and businesses via the Chamber and have attended some inspiring events with some high-profile guest speakers, which I wouldn’t have met and heard from otherwise.

Gary Fawcett, Branch Principle

Raymond James Monument

Our engagement with the NECC has been both strategic and impactful, particularly through our collaboration with Natalie Connolly.

Natalie has been incredibly supportive in helping to amplify the impact of various initiatives, including the Smart and Scale programme and the Future of High Streets project. In particular, her proactive promotion of initiatives such as the SME Leaders Masterclass has significantly strengthened our reach across the North East business community. She has also played a key role in sharing research surveys with NECC members, enabling valuable insights to be gathered from across the region.

The Chamber’s ability to convene partners and facilitate purposeful collaboration makes it an invaluable partner for Durham University, strengthening our contribution to regional growth.

Sue Boyd, Head of Executive Education

Durham University