The signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and North East Enterprise Agency (NEEAL), marks another significant step forward in collaborative enterprise support across the region.

The agreement brings together FSB North East and all seven NEEAL partners – the North East BIC, TEDCO, Project North East, Enterprise Made Simple, CDC Enterprise Agency, Northumberland Businesses Services and South Durham Enterprise Agency – in a formal partnership designed to enhance support for start-ups and growing businesses.

The agreement builds on a growing spirit of collaboration across the region’s enterprise landscape. It follows similar moves, such as the recent MOU between NEEAL and the North East Chamber of Commerce, reflecting a unified approach to supporting the business community.

Paul McEldon, Chief Executive of the North East BIC and Chair of NEEAL, added: “This new agreement with FSB is part of a collective effort to simplify the journey into enterprise and ensure that every business has the tools and support to succeed. This is about building a resilient, inclusive economy where every entrepreneur has the opportunity to succeed.

“We’ve always believed that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. By joining forces with organisations that share our values, we can make the business support landscape more accessible, visible and impactful for small businesses that are the backbone of our economy.”