This study looks at all companies registered in North East England and where their total assets are more than GBP750,000.

North East England covers Northumberland, Co Durham, Tyne and Wear and Cleveland. There are three large conurbations: Teesside, Wearside and Tyneside. There are three cities: Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and Durham; other large towns include Darlington, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, South Shields, Stockton-on-Tees and Washington.

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the key movers and shakers in the corporate sector. Only key data has been isolated, particularly the company’s net worth and total assets, but also their full name, date incorporated, registered office, activities, shareholders, directors (with date of birth, occupation and nationality) and number of employees.

Two indicators of size are used: net worth and total assets. These are preferable to turnover which is influenced by profit margins and whether the companies are capital or labour intensive.

A short summary of the corporate sector in North East England:

Up until the late 20th century the region’s economy was based on traditional heavy industries such as shipbuilding, coal mining, oil refining and chemicals. The key economic characteristic has been one of relative decline during latter part of the 20th century, as evidenced by the growing gap between the region and the national average in terms of economic prosperity.

The region contribution to the UK’s GDP is 3% of the UK total. On average, the region’s manufacturing base contributes to 4.5% to the UK manufacturing base. In terms of GVA, the three biggest manufacturing industries are chemicals and chemical products, basic metals and metal products, and transport equipment.

The region is the only UK region whose economy shrunk with GVA falling by 1%.

In 2017, it had the second lowest employment rate in the UK, nearing 72% and the region with the highest unemployment rate in the UK (7%), far above the national average (4.8%).

The region’s investment in R&D is one of the lowest in the UK. In 2016, the share of population with tertiary education was 40%, below the UK (48%).