As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes part of everyday personal and professional life, the demand for digital infrastructure is driving change across regional economies – and the North East is right at the centre of this rapid transformation.
In September, the region won the backing of central government to become an AI Growth Zone, fuelling the creation of over 5,000 new jobs and up to £30bn in investment, according to the North East Combined Authority.
Work has already begun on the Cobalt Park Data Centres in North Tyneside and the £10bn QTS Cambois datacentre campus at Blyth. Expected to be Europe’s largest hyperscale sites – equivalent in size to 11 football pitches – the scheme aims to be powered fully by renewable energy once complete.
The projects will create thousands of skilled jobs in the future, as well as during the build phases, and place the North East firmly at the centre of the 海角视频’s digital transformation.
That surge of activity in the AI and datacentre space is mirrored in this year’s Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50, which, in partnership with The Journal, showcases the region’s fastest growing privately owned businesses.
Together, they employ more than 11,000 people and generate over £1.7bn in turnover – clear evidence that the North East’s blend of engineering strength and digital innovation is turning global change into local opportunity.
One of the stand-out names in this year’s Fastest 50 list is Black & White Engineering, ranked as the sixth fastest growing business overall. The Newcastle-based global consultancy designs the mechanical and electrical systems that underpin some of the world’s most advanced data centre projects – work that has accelerated in line with rising demand for AI and high-performance computing.
Through its in-house research and development teams, the firm continues to advance sustainable design solutions that improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact across its projects. Black & White now employs more than 1,000 skilled engineers worldwide.
Steven Horn, managing director of Black & White Engineering, Europe, said: “We’ve seen a real surge in datacentre work over the past few years as the demand for both cloud services and AI has increased. It’s driving huge demand for facilities that are energy efficient, scalable and resilient. The North East has the right mix of engineering talent, power infrastructure and innovation to support that.
“The large-scale data centre projects in the North East show how the sector is moving outside of more established tier one markets and how much opportunity there is for local firms to be part of it. There’s a strong supply chain here, from design and engineering specialists to energy consultants, all contributing to projects of real global significance.
“This region has always been known for its engineering strength. What’s happening now is that those same skills are helping to shape the digital infrastructure of the future and it’s great to see North East expertise recognised on that scale.”
Technology and infrastructure businesses across this year’s Fastest 50 are benefiting from that same momentum. Newcastle-based Opencast, which ranked third in the list, works with clients to harness AI and digital tools that improve performance, resilience and service delivery.
David Sarginson, director of architecture & engineering capability at Opencast said: “We’ve reached the point where AI’s part of everyday delivery – whether that’s individuals using ChatGPT to help plan their holiday or businesses using it to improve innovation and automation.
“What’s exciting is how much innovative technology application is happening here in the North East – the skills and collaboration in the region are second to none.”
The firm’s growth reflects a wider regional confidence. Across the North East, clusters of software developers, data engineers and green energy specialists are forming the backbone of the AI economy.
Developments such as the Blyth campus, Teesside’s emerging Net Zero digital corridor and the expanding technology cluster at Cobalt Park are expected to accelerate that trend – attracting global operators and sparking a new wave of supply chain investment from Teesside to Tyneside.”
As investment gathers pace, the North East’s mix of clean energy, engineering expertise and digital talent gives it a genuine competitive edge – one that is already shaping how the 海角视频 delivers the infrastructure behind AI and data-driven growth.
Imogen Holland, partner at Ward Hadaway, said the 2025 list reflects a region that is both adapting to global technological change and driving it forward.
She said: “From ships to software, the North East has always been a place that builds things. What we’re seeing now is that same attitude applied to digital and sustainable infrastructure. The companies in this year’s Fastest 50 are helping to create the foundations that AI, automation and clean energy all rely on.
“The scale of investment in the region, backed by central government and the North East Combined Authority, and the expertise of the area’s tech-driven businesses, show just how well-placed the North East is for the next decade of growth.
“AI depends on real-world infrastructure – power, networks, data and people. The North East is providing all of those and doing it with a level of collaboration and ambition that few regions can match.”