Dave Robson

Middlesbrough

Senior Reporter and Columnist at Teesside Live

Journalist for The Gazette and Teesside Live increasingly baffled by life in general. And yes, these views are my own

Articles

Read the lowdown on Tech Business Leader finalists

1 week ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

With the Tees Tech Awards 2025 taking place this Thursday, here’s all you need to know about the three inspiring pioneers shortlisted for the prestigious Business Leader of the Year category.
Why unity is crucial for Tees businesses to thrive

3 weeks ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

A united front is vital to continue enticing ground-breaking schemes and large-scale investment to Teesside, the latest Tees Business LIVE event heard. Discussing the topic “Beyond the Boom – Shaping Teesside’s next wave of job investment”, a four-strong panel of leading business figures was asked how sustained economic growth for Teesside could be achieved. And during the discussion, two common themes emerged – the need for stability and the need for the area to talk with one voice.
Law firm says global eyes are looking towards Tees Valley to do business

3 weeks ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

“We want Teesside to be recognised globally for what it can do on an international scale.” That was the upbeat message from Peter Snaith, a partner and head of the manufacturing sector group at international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, at the latest Tees Business LIVE event. Held in Middlesbrough Town Hall’s old Court room, the lunchtime gathering was organised by Tees Business in association with the firm, which has around 1,300 lawyers in 37 UK and US offices – including Teesside.
You can bank on caring Brenda to make a difference

1 month ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

After 19 years working in a bank, Brenda Plowman’s career shift to the care sector has proved a successful and fulfilling one. And now she’s an award-winner too, having picked up the Making A Difference trophy at the 2025 Tees Business Awards. Brenda is registered care manager with Home Instead Cleveland – a home care service staffed by more than 150 people and rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission. For 19 years, she worked at Santander.
Bike hire complex with café opens in stunning surroundings near Captain Cook's Monument

1 month ago | gazettelive.co.uk | Dave Robson

A new bike hire business near Captain’s Cook’s Monument hopes to get more people exploring the North Yorkshire Moors. Bike Base, at Gribdale, near Great Ayton, comprises a café, bike hire shop and, later this year, two Air BnB apartments. The brainchild of Mark Pearson, who runs Pearsons TV and Appliances in Stokesley, the converted former equine centre opened earlier this month.
Met Office forecast says how hot it could get on Teesside a mine heatwave approaches

1 month ago | gazettelive.co.uk | Dave Robson

Get the sun cream and air con ready – the weather ’s going to be warming up noticeably. While today’s temperatures on Teesside will stay around 15C, it should feel a little warmer on Sunday – and daytime temperatures could reach the mid-20s as the week continues.
999 crews flood Stockton estate after car ends up backwards through fence

1 month ago | gazettelive.co.uk | Dave Robson

Emergency services rushed to a Stockton estate after a car reportedly crashed through a garden fence – narrowly missing a ground floor flat. A silver Honda ended up facing towards the street after apparently smashing through the fence on the corner of Keverstone Close and Kimblesworth Walk in Hardwick late last night. People living nearby told how they heard emergency service sirens just before midnight. A police cordon was set up, with several officers guarding the scene.
Why positivity is a key element for Future Leader award-winner

1 month ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

The winner of the Future Leader category at the Tees Business Awards says a positive attitude underpins what she does. Since joining Wynyard-based chemical company Venator as a product development scientist six years ago, armed with a degree in chemistry and a PhD in chemical engineering, Jo Douglas-Harris has risen through the ranks.
Firms urged ‘let’s talk about cancer’ as scheme crowned Community Champion

1 month ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

A drive to get Tees businesses talking about cancer is a personal mission for HR Alchemy boss Jo Davies – and she’s urging local firms to sign up in support. Jo leads Talk Cancer Teesside – a new initiative designed to make our area’s workplaces cancer-friendly environments. And not only did she address the 350-strong audience at the Tees Business Awards 2025, the scheme she founded emerged an award-winner, pipping Miller Homes Teesside and Cygnet Law to the Community Champions prize.
How Lifetime Achievement award-winner is still helping next generation

1 month ago | teesbusiness.co.uk | Dave Robson

Memories of his apprenticeship in 1965 still help drive Paul Griffiths MBE – winner of a prestigious gong at the Tees Business Awards – on to do the best for the young people his company takes on. Paul founded leading hydraulic engineering firm IMH in 1983 and, 42 years later, he’s still involved as non-executive director and training the next generation of talent while son James runs the business as MD.