A fast-growing national managed IT service provider based in Teesside has become the latest partner in the Northern Echo’s Level Up campaign.

razorblue has been in business for more than 16 years and has its head office in Stockton. But its national market means its team of more than 170 also operates from bases in Catterick, Manchester, Stirling, Newcastle and Leeds.

The firm specialises in managed IT, cybersecurity services, super-fast connectivity, cloud, and business applications across a broad range of industries.

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Group Commercial Director Mark Wilkinson said the company wanted to speak up for the whole region: “The North East is so exciting for businesses, with so much that people don’t know about. Being part of Level Up with the Echo will help us celebrate the success of local businesses, and build relationships with them as we all continue to grow.

 

“It’s such a strong region, and within that we are always determined to look after each other and that’s an important thing for razorblue. We are a UK-based MSP that provides a broad range of IT services across the country, but we are proud of our North East roots. It’s where we were born and it’s where we want to grow.

“Like so many amazing businesses here, we want to be seen as a market leader so that we have the strongest possible voice for the region and can build trust in what we can achieve as we establish powerful long-term relationships.

“Amazingly, there is still a perception out there that the North is not as equipped for success as the South. Those of us who live and work here know how wrong that is – and we are determined to correct that view through the Level Up campaign.”

But we also need to challenge as Level Up pushes for the very best deal for the region, and razorblue CEO Dan Kitchen says there is a divide that needs bridging between local and national strategies to provide a framework of support to help businesses grow and underline the North East’s reputation.

He said: “Support at a local, regional level has been great. The devolution and regional mayor is working well for the Tees Valley.

“Nationally, it is a different story. Economic and tax policy in this country has not been set with a mindfulness that we are still recovering from a pandemic, and also simultaneously left the single EU market. In my opinion this is damaging growth and recovery.”

razorblue is the ninth leading North East business to join Level Up - which is now well into its second year on a mission to bring a bigger focus to the region and show how collaborative we already are – tailor-made for investment and jobs.

Throughout the year the company will be working alongside bp, believe housing, Cummins, Durham County Council, North East England Chamber of Commerce, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Teesside Freeport and Womble Bond Dickinson to promote the North East and all it can offer.

BUSINESSiQ – the business brand of The Northern Echo – works with our Level Up partners online, in print and at a series of increasingly-popular live events around the region.