The people behind the partnership: Darush Dodds
Date published:
Ahead of our July Newsletter we caught up with Chamber Partner member, Darush Dodds, Director of Corporate Affairs & Social Value at Esh Group.
About You & Your Business:
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your role, and what drives you in your work?
Hi, I’m Darush (pronounced Darius) and I lead the Corporate Affairs team at Esh Group. Our department is responsible for the Group’s creative, communications, events, and social value functions — including our social value strategy, Constructing Local.
I’ve worked at Esh for almost 20 years, and that longevity says a lot. It’s a great place to work — we’ve got a strong culture, clear values, and there’s a real sense of everyone pulling in the same direction. That unity and shared purpose makes it easy to stay motivated, and it’s something I genuinely buy into.
No two days are ever the same. We work with everyone, from our executive team and operational colleagues to clients, community partners, membership organisations, education providers, and supply chain businesses. It’s a broad remit, and that’s exactly what I enjoy — the challenge of working with so many people, each with different priorities, perspectives and drivers.
A big part of my role is problem-solving. I like to take complex challenges and break them down into smaller, solvable parts. It’s important not to be afraid to get things wrong, just be quick to learn and adapt. With the right team, the right mindset, and the right information, I genuinely believe anything is possible.
I also find great satisfaction in supporting the growth and development of my team, many of whom are early in their careers. Watching them build confidence, develop their skills, and take on bigger roles is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Collaboration & Partnerships:
How important is collaboration in driving regional success and how has the Chamber helped you forge connections, influence policy, or support regional investment?
One of the greatest strengths of our region is how closely connected we are — geographically, professionally, and culturally. Our shared priorities often overlap, making collaboration not just beneficial, but essential to our collective success, especially in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving environment.
The Chamber of Commerce plays a pivotal role by bringing together businesses of all sizes, education providers, the third sector and policy makers and from a socio-economic perspective this collaboration is essential. It convenes the experts, brings fresh perspectives and unlocks funding to deliver more impactful solutions.
Almost all our construction projects have some form of Social Value commitment and collaboration ensures they align with local priorities and deliver genuine outcomes for our local businesses, our clients and their communities.
Skills, Talent & Community Impact:
What role do companies like yours play in retaining talent and making the region a great place to live and work?
The North East and Tees Valley regions have some of the highest levels of economic inactivity in the country, yet at the same time, there is no shortage of opportunity, particularly in the construction sector – there really is a job for everyone.
To unlock that potential, we need to work together to shift perceptions of our industry. That means raising awareness and increasing exposure in primary and secondary schools and showing people how their transferable skills can help them re-enter the workforce or transition from a different sector.
Esh Group is committed to being part of the solution by inspiring the next generation; we currently employ more than 60 apprentices and each year we engage with over 3,000 primary and secondary school students through timetabled workshops and deliver more than 1,000 days of work experience to help people gain insight into construction careers. Through our partnership with the North East Institute of Technology we are supporting colleges to improve the quality and relevance of current provision and create new qualifications.
Our goal is simple; to reduce economic inactivity and close the skills gap by building a pipeline of talent that is informed, inspired, and equipped to join the region’s workforce.
Looking Ahead:
What advice would you give to other businesses looking to grow through collaboration and regional engagement?
If I could offer one piece of advice to businesses looking to grow through collaboration, it would be to show up and get involved. Bring your ideas and challenges to the table and use the Chamber’s regional platform to connect with like-minded businesses to find a shared solution.