The Catalyst at Newcastle Helix has been recognised on the national stage once again, receiving Bronze in the Business Events Venue of the Year category at the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

The award places The Catalyst among the very best business events venues in the country, marking a significant achievement for both the venue and the wider Newcastle Helix community.

From Regional Success to National Recognition

This national accolade follows The Catalyst’s Gold award at the Destination North East England Tourism Awards, which secured its place in the VisitEngland national finals.

The awards ceremony took place at Aerospace Bristol, bringing together standout tourism and events operators from across England. For The Catalyst team, the event marked a proud moment to represent both Newcastle Helix and the North East on a national platform.

The recognition highlights not only the quality of the venue itself, but also the strength of the region’s growing business events and visitor economy.

Showcasing the North East on a National Stage

The Catalyst stood alongside fellow North East organisations including The Doxford Group, Ad Gefrin and Blackfriars Restaurant, reflecting the depth and quality of the region’s offer.

The strong presence of North East finalists reinforced the region’s reputation as a destination for innovation-led events, hospitality and business tourism — supported by a collaborative network of partners and organisations.

The continued support from Experience North East England also played an important role in enabling regional venues to reach and succeed on the national stage.

A Venue Defined by Innovation and Collaboration

Located at the heart of Newcastle Helix, The Catalyst is more than an events venue. It is a key part of a nationally significant innovation ecosystem, bringing together research, business and community.

Managed by Oxford Innovation Space on behalf of Newcastle University, the building supports:

• High-quality business events and conferences

• Collaboration between academia, industry and the public sector

• A distinctive visitor experience within a globally recognised innovation district

The venue is also home to two major national centres:

• The National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD)

• The National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA)

Together, these institutions attract organisations, policymakers and researchers from across the UK and internationally — strengthening The Catalyst’s position as a unique destination for business events.

A Shared Achievement

This award reflects the collective effort behind The Catalyst’s success — from the operational team delivering day-to-day excellence, to the partners and occupiers who bring the building to life.

It is also a milestone shared across:

• Newcastle University

• Oxford Innovation Space

• NICD and NICA

• The wider Newcastle Helix community

• The North East’s visitor economy

Looking Ahead

Winning Bronze at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence represents more than a single achievement. It reinforces the ambition to position The Catalyst — and Newcastle Helix — as a nationally recognised destination for business events, innovation and collaboration.

As the Helix community continues to grow, this recognition provides further momentum to showcase the region’s strengths on an even larger stage.