Darlington Economic Campus hits 1,000 staff milestone

The Darlington Economic Campus has continued to blaze a trail for Government opportunities beyond London with 1,000 civil servants now officially working at the campus - with more than 800 of them recruited locally.

The landmark figure has been reached three years after DEC launched in 2021, with over 80% of staff across eight Government departments having been recruited locally from the North East rather than relocated.

Pauline Crellin, Director, Exports and DBT Head of Campus said: “We are so proud of the workforce that we’ve built together from the incredible talent available here in the North East, and it is fantastic to have hit this recruitment milestone.

“Darlington is a great place to work, with amazing teams, great jobs available, and skilled people doing a variety of roles and working closely with the businesses and communities we serve.

“Being part of the Darlington Economic Campus helps us work together across Government, joining up to get local views on policy-making and to drive growth here and across the UK.”

Beth Russell, Second HMT Permanent Secretary, said: “Reaching 1000 new civil service jobs is a major milestone in the development of the Darlington Economic Campus. The vast majority of these jobs have been filled by people from the North East, many of them new to the civil service. This is all about offering people in the North East the opportunity to do government jobs that were traditionally only available in London, making government policy-making more reflective of the communities we serve.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is fantastic news that shows how the Darlington Economic Campus is working for local people – with more than 800 taking advantage of the jobs being created on their doorstep. This signals to workers now, and the next generation, that you don’t need to leave the region you call home to secure a well-paid, good-quality job in the Civil Service.

“The 1,000 milestone also cements the region’s influence in policy and decision-making, with more Civil Servants than ever before being aware of our opportunities and issues, directly impacting their lives. They’re working outside of the Whitehall bubble, giving Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool a real voice to drive positive change.”

Kimberley Aldrich joined the Treasury team at DEC as a Business Manager following a career in commercial shipping. She had wanted to join the Civil Service but had been put off by the commute to London until seizing the opportunity to join DEC.

Kimberley Aldrich (Image: DEC)

She said: “I joined the civil service three years ago having spent most of my career in commercial shipping and ship management. The civil service had always appealed to me but the travel to London less so.

"When the Darlington Economic Campus opened it seemed like the right time to make the move. I have had the opportunity to work in the tax and welfare group which is always at the heart of the budget and being able to do that from the North is fantastic.”

Jake Callaghan, a senior policy advisor at the Department for Business and Trade focused on international matters, took up his role at DEC in 2022 after a career in the Royal Navy Police, and said: “In the past, the Civil Service felt inaccessible to me, as the roles I was interested in tended to be based in London. Finding a job at the Darlington Economic Campus has given me an international-facing career, without having to move away.”

Jake Callaghan (Image: DEC)

Former Maths teacher of 20 years, Louise Clewlow, joined as a policy advisor in HMT after completing retraining via a Policy Offer Apprenticeship. Like the others, the flexible and hybrid working arrangements offered by DEC played a pivotal role in her joining.

Louise said: “After being a Maths Teacher for 20 years, I felt that I was ready for a new challenge so I applied to the Treasury to complete a Level 4 Policy Officer Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship route enabled me to start a new career, providing me with the knowledge and skills I would need to thrive.

Louise Clewlow (Image: DEC)

"The Darlington office has made it possible for me to work as a Policy Advisor within the North East, with flexible and hybrid working improving my work life balance.”

Hosting the joint second headquarters of DBT and the HMT, alongside other departments such as the Office for National Statistics, DEC works closely with businesses in the region and other stakeholders such as local decision-makers to inform policy-making and to offer advice.

This has helped DBT offer its expertise to North-East businesses, that exported a collective £13.6bn worth of goods in 2023, on how they can further invest, export and grow.

The team at DEC has also engaged with communities, such as with schools, colleges and universities – a key part of its offer. DEC is currently based in Feethams House in Darlington, but as part of the Government’s commitment to the region a purpose-built hub at Brunswick Street is shortly to be constructed following the granting of planning permission in August.