As the year draws to a close, I want to reflect on what has been an extraordinary 2024 for RTC North. Together, the team has achieved so much, strengthened our regional presence and most importantly made a lasting impact on businesses, individuals and communities across North England. None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication of our team, the trust of our clients, and the partnership of the people we’ve supported.

 

It has been a landmark year for us. Alongside continued delivery in the North East, we’ve expanded our footprint in West Yorkshire, Tees Valley, Lancashire and the Liverpool City Region. We’ve built strong, permanent local delivery teams embedded in these regions, ensuring businesses have access to dedicated, on-the-ground support.

And this growth wasn’t about chasing every opportunity. It was about working in partnership with regional development teams to see where RTC could add value and together designing solutions that will create a lasting impact for places in the North.

Extending our reach has made us a stronger business. We have more customers and are developing deeper relationships across the greater North with a mission well aligned to devolution and its core aims.

Ultimately though, success depends on our team’s talent, energy, and their unwavering commitment to do the best for their clients. Developing talent is without question our greatest strategic investment, but we made big structural changes to how we work too.

Our new matrix management approach, 'One Team', is becoming more embedded and I am convinced over time it will make us an even better business. Brought in earlier this year, it empowers employees to work across multiple contracts, creates more fulfilling roles for individuals while at the same time gives clients access to more expertise. This is more important than ever as the economy reels from one shock to another and technological change continues apace.

As a nation of small businesses, it’s tough for business leaders to find time to explore new opportunities, but part of our role is to encourage business leaders to take a step back, explore emerging technologies, and discover new approaches to better meeting customer needs.

Staying ahead requires more than just keeping up, it means proactively seeking inspiration, often from outside your immediate industry, where the most transformative insights are found. This is where the most radical innovation happens.

It’s true for us too and at RTC we’ve begun a plan to embed AI across the business. What is obvious is that it’s much simpler to use than many think and if exploited to its potential will be a massive productivity boost to small business. It can do the legwork, deliver efficiencies, and make life easier. We believe every business should have a clear AI adoption plan, and we’re leading by example.

What’s most rewarding is the human impact of our work. This year, we have supported over 70,000 young people through STEM engagement programmes, inspiring future generations to explore careers in science, technology, and engineering. Helping people turn their dreams into reality remains at the heart of everything we do and is something that we will never take from granted!

As we move into 2025, we’ll build on this solid foundation by consolidating our geographic reach, launching impactful new projects, and strengthening our presence in key regions. We’ll help businesses access emerging opportunities in sectors like offshore, transport, space and defence & security. We’ll help them win new business, secure positions in critical supply chains, and grow in competitive industries. With strategic public and private sector partnerships, we’ll open doors that create long-term success.

We’re ready to work with national and local governments, including both existing and newly formed combined authorities, to shape a stronger, fairer economy that works for everyone. This is a partnership-driven approach that will allow us to create a meaningful impact through flexible and tailored, on-the-ground delivery.

More importantly, we aim to continue inspiring, innovating, and investing in people’s futures, whether they’re business owners, young people exploring STEM careers, or our talented team members.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who’s been part of this journey. Let’s keep breaking barriers and building futures together, I’m excited about what we’ll achieve in 2025.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2025!

Jamie Ollivere
Chief Executive, RTC North