Outside body

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is the fourth largest LEP in the UK, covering the local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.  This geographic area covers 40,315 businesses and a workforce of 850,600, 3.5% of the national total (2012 figures).

The LEP is a business-led, strategic vehicle, responsible for promoting and developing economic growth in the North East.   The Partnership is funded by the seven local authorities and Central Government.