Mayor hails Shine's first-year success

A North East employment accreditation programme is celebrating its first anniversary after exceeding its original target and signing up hundreds of employers.

Shine, the free employer accreditation programme launched by North East mayor Kim McGuinness in June 2025, now has 481 members across the region.

The initiative, part of the Mayor’s New Deal for North East Workers, was created to recognise employers that promote fairness, opportunity and respect in the workplace.

Its first-year aim was to attract more than 300 employers and reach more than 50,000 workers. 

One year on, Shine members cover more than 128,000 employees across private, public and voluntary sector organisations.

Of its 481 members, 279 organisations are accredited, including 113 at Advanced level.

Shine helps employers review and improve workplace practices across five areas of good practice, known as Beams. 

These cover employee health, safety and wellbeing, community impact and sustainability, employee voice and representation, inclusivity and opportunity, and fair pay and secure work.

The programme has also brought businesses together to share best practice, access support and champion better employment standards across the region.

Mayor McGuinness said: “When we launched Shine, I said too many people in our region still faced poor employment conditions, low pay, insecurity and limited progression. 

“One year on, that mission matters more than ever.

“The cost of living continues to put pressure on families across the North East. 

“Employers cannot solve that alone, but responsible business has a vital role to play by creating fair, secure and supportive workplaces where people are paid fairly, listened to and given the chance to progress.

“To have exceeded our first-year ambition shows that employers across the North East want to be part of that change. 

“Shine is helping us celebrate those businesses leading the way and support more to create workplaces where people can thrive.”

To mark its first anniversary, Shine is holding its sold-out annual conference – Shining Bright: Illuminating our region’s workplaces where people, community and businesses thrive – at The Fire Station in Sunderland on Wednesday, June 24.

The event will bring together employers, regional leaders and expert speakers for discussions on good work, wellbeing, purpose and investing in people.

Organisers say the response reflects growing interest in responsible employment and recognition that better work can support employees, businesses and the wider North East economy.

Businesses interested in finding out more about Shine or registering their interest can visit shine.northeast-ca.gov.uk.

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