SQUARE One Law welcomed Liz Truss MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, to officially open the firm’s new Tees Valley office.

The firm hosted a breakfast meeting for Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, and an invited group of local business owners and entrepreneurs who discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the region and wider UK economy with Mrs Truss.

The discussion raised some interesting questions on the way the planning system can help businesses, the impact of disruptive and challenger enterprises and the opportunities that could come from breaking large government contracts into smaller ones for SMEs.

Mrs Truss said: “The Tees Valley is one of the great success stories of the past few years, with trade on the rise and unemployment down.

“There are fantastic opportunities out there for businesses looking to expand their exports and as a Government we want to do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for trade to prosper. And the area is certainly benefiting from having a Metro Mayor and the devolved powers that come with that position.”

Mr Houchen, said: “I am delighted that Square One Law has chosen Stockton as the location for their first office outside Newcastle.

“To see professional services firms expand into the Tees Valley just shows how much potential there is in our region. This investment and expansion is a vote of confidence in the whole Tees Valley and our skilled workforce.”

Senior partner, Ian Gilthorpe said: “Being a lifelong North-Easterner, I know how important it is to play an active part in the local community. We are here for the long term. We want to grow Square One Law and make a valuable contribution to developing stronger professional services and making Tees Valley a better place to live and grow a business.

“Until now, we have looked after our clients across the North-East and elsewhere, from our Newcastle base, however, the firm is already very active in the Teesside region and we spend considerable time working with companies such as px group, Able, JDR Cables and Fine Organics, and have recently been appointed by Tees Valley Combined Authority and the South Tees Development Corporation.”

The Tees Valley office is led by Square One Law partners Neil Warwick and Helen Brain, along with senior partner Ian Gilthorpe.