Our offices are just beside Gateshead College. Limited visitor parking is available by prior arrangement, or there is a large public car park on the south side of the building.
The North East region has been delivering publicly funded investment funds for start-up and growing businesses over the last 20 years. Fund design and delivery models have evolved over that time to ensure flexibility and continued relevance. These funds provide investment to small and medium enterprises (‘SMEs’) who are unable to secure funding through other means. Investments of this type bring significant benefits to the region in terms of job creation and economic regeneration.
Creating a Financial Legacy for the North East
Over the last 20 years, over £400m has been invested as equity and loan finance in over 2,000 local SMEs. North East Access to Finance (NEA2F) is the steward of the financial returns generated by those investments. Working with local stakeholders and government departments, these returns are invested in new local SME investment funds as ‘legacy’. These investments have been critical to the establishment of the North East Fund’s Successor Fund in 2025 (see below).
Our role also involves day-to-day oversight of a portfolio of investments, with a view to generating returns through the sale of equity stakes the and repayment of loans. We work with the businesses, supporting them to develop exit strategies and achieve strategic goals, which ultimately maximise the returns achieved.
Investing alongside other key public and private investors, Some of the key projects we have supported from ‘legacy’ returns are:
- The North East Fund – established in 2019 to provide venture capital and loans in the North East Combined Authority Area, managed by experienced regional fund managers. Legacy funding of £29m. See www.northeastfund.org
- The North East Fund Successor Fund – new fund established in 2025 to continue the work done by the North East Fund in recent years, and to complement the Northern Powerhouse Fund. Legacy contribution of £34.5m.
- In the Tees Valley, legacy has contributed to a number of initiatives supporting local businesses, and more are under discussion. The Digital City project received legacy funding of £1.2m in 2019.
- Finance for Business North East – £4m legacy into an extension of this older fund covering the North East and Tees Valley. £160m invested in total. More on Finance for Business North East here.
Tender for Group Auditor
We are inviting suitably qualified firms to tender for the contract as external Auditor for the group for a period of three years.
NB interested parties are asked to register an expression of interest and we will send you the Applicant Pack, containing further information which you should read before preparing your bid.
Details of the tender and how to apply are in the Invitation to Tender
Expressions of interest and questions about the tender should be emailed to james.arkless@nea2f.co.uk.
Closing date 9 January 2025