This session brings together HR and People professionals from technology businesses across the North East to explore a shared challenge: how to attract, retain and support high-performing teams in a competitive and fast-growing sector and what role the sector can play in driving inclusive economic growth across the region.

As part of the discussion, we will mark Opencast’s Living Wage and Living Pension accreditations and use this as a starting point to share good practice, raise awareness of fair pay and pensions, and explore how reward connects to team performance, business success, and wider regional impact.

Across the region, organisations are navigating increasing pressure around pay, pensions and employee expectations, alongside the need to build stable, motivated teams that can deliver sustainably. At the same time, there is a growing focus including from regional partners on ensuring the North East becomes a “home of real opportunity for all.”

On the day, you'll hear from a range of business and policymakers including Chi Onwurah (MP and Chair of Science Innovation and Technology Committee), The North East Combined Authority, Opencast, Phonetic Digital, Serios and the Living Wage Foundation.

What we’ll cover

• What’s working in reward, pensions and retention

• Where organisations are feeling pressure

• How fair pay links to performance, stability and growth

• The role of the tech sector in supporting inclusive growth in the North East

• Opportunities for collaboration across the sector

What you’ll get from it

• Practical insight from peers across the North East tech sector

• Real examples of approaches to reward and team performance

• New connections with leaders facing similar challenges

• A chance to help shape a stronger, more inclusive regional economy

Why attend

How organisations approach pay and pensions is increasingly tied not just to retention and performance, but to their role in the wider economy. This session is an opportunity to share experiences, learn what works, and explore what leadership looks like in practice, both within organisations and across the region.

Where to find Opencast

Opencast, Unit 2, The Kiln, Hoults Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 1AB