• Business Durham Advisory Board

    The activities of Business Durham are overseen by an Advisory Board comprising of leading members of the County Council together with prominent business leaders in the County.

    The current members of the Advisory Board are:

    Current Associate Directors:

    Ms Rhiannon Bearne, Policy and Representation Director – North East England Chamber of Commerce
    Mr Scott Bibby, Country Manager – Etex New Ways for the UK and Ireland
    Mr Jim Brewin, Chief Director UK & Ireland – Hitachi Rail
    Ms Tania Cooper MBE, MD – Steelbenders
    Mr David Foreman, Regional Manager, North East region – Barclays Bank
    Ms Victoria Gemmill, Head of Campaigns – Department for International Trade
    Mr Toby Heintz, MD – Pinnacle Retec
    Mr Jonathan Moreland, Managing Partner – Swinburne Maddison
    Mr Peter Razaq, Co-Founder and Chairman – Kans and Kandy Group
    Mr Michael Smith, Chairman, RTC North Limited
    Mr Michael Stirrup, CEO – Waterstons Limited
    Mr Neil Spann, CEO – Power Roll
    Mr Michael Tyerman, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director – Filtronic

    Officers:

    Amy Harhoff, Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth
    Andy Kerr, Head of Economic Development
    Peter Rippingale, Director of Inward Investment and Opportunities
    Sarah Slaven, Managing Director, Business Durham

    Councillors: 

    Cllr Richard Bell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance
    Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of the Council and Chair of Business Durham Advisory Board
    Cllr Carl Marshall, Leader of the Labour Group
    Cllr James Rowlandson, Cabinet Member for Resources, Investments & Assets
    Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Cabinet Member for Economy & Partnerships
    Cllr Mark Wilkes, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods & Climate Change.

    Advisory Board Role:

    • Offer a private sector perspective to Business Durham activities and proposals
    • Offer insight through experience into the business world and global economy
    • Act as the interface between private sector and the County Council
    • Act as champions and ambassadors for County Durham
    • Sponsor and promote initiatives and events for County Durham
    • Provide a focus for and influence on County Council economic policy and strategy through acting as a critical friend
    • Provide a focus for the engagement of the private sector

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