Pioneer Court hosts visit of Daily Telegraph journalist

Hagen Developments hosted a visit to Darlington by the Daily Telegraph’s chief business correspondent, Oliver Gill, who was keen to learn more about the transformation of the former Red Wall town.

 The company invited Oliver to one of its soon-to-be let offices in Pioneer Court where neighbouring firm Recognition PR had assembled a cross section of the town’s business leaders to talk about their future hopes and ambitions.

 He listened to a range of views on the effect the launch of Treasury North is having on Darlington and the wider Tees Valley area.

 All agreed it is generating a huge amount of positivity and has succeeded in raising the town’s profile on the national stage.

 As a result, there is huge interest from both regional and national businesses in relocating or establishing a presence in Darlington.

 As part of the event, Oliver spoke with: Stuart Keegan, senior surveyor at Hagen Developments, Graham Robb, senior partner of Recognition PR; Liz Armstrong, managing director of Latimer Hinks, Gavin Cordwell Smith, chief executive of Hellens Group; Matthew 

 Wharton, a director at Wharton Construction; Ben Quaintrell, managing director of My Property Box; Chris Hunter, chief operating officer of Darlington Building Society; Angus Allan, corporate finance partner at Clive Partner, Nicky Jolley, managing director of HR2day, and Gill Hall, managing partner of Square One Law.

 Ben Quaintrell, of estate agent My Property Box told him there was a huge demand for property in the area, both to let and to buy, saying the arrival of Treasury North would “act as a huge catalyst for investment”. 

 Stuart Keegan said: “Oliver was writing a feature on the town and was keen to speak directly with local business leaders to learn more about the many investment opportunities that Treasury North will undoubtedly unlock.

 “We were pleased to welcome him to both the town and Pioneer Court, while at the same time securing fantastic national coverage for the area, which I hope will further raise its profile and banish some outdated misconceptions.”