RTC North has today launched its 2024/25 Annual Review, highlighting a transformative year for innovation and business growth across the North. Chief Exec, Jamie Ollivere, praised the efforts of his team and partners in supporting thousands of businesses to innovate, compete and grow, helping to strengthen the economy and unlock inclusive prosperity across the north.

The review reveals that RTC supported:

• 1,650 businesses to innovate
• 684 to grow, and
• 931 to improve their competitiveness
• 160,000+ young people engaged

This work led to the creation or safeguarding of over 827 jobs, with each business supported averaging 2.16 jobs created or retained, and an average uplift of £25,500 in investment per company.

Jamie commented: “This has been a year of delivery, growth, and real impact. We’ve helped manufacturers improve productivity, supported startups on their innovation journey, and worked across the education system to build long-term skills pipelines. Our message to the North is clear: the best is yet to come.”

From navigating supply chain disruption to supporting digital and clean tech companies close to market, RTC North has worked closely with SMEs, government and partners across the North of England. The organisation also played a vital role in preparing businesses to seize new international opportunities amid improved trade conditions and deepening devolution.

Jamie added: “The North has unique strengths – in energy, engineering, life sciences – and we’re seeing a growing appetite for collaboration. If we can harness this, the potential for ‘The Great North’ is enormous. RTC will be right there helping businesses break through to the next level.”

As the North gears up for the next wave of devolution and a refreshed Industrial Strategy, RTC North is calling for targeted, place-based funding models and greater support for commercially viable SMEs.

To find out more about RTC’s impact, read the full Annual Review.