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 Tania Cooper MBE, MD – Steelbenders
Mr David Foreman, Area Business Manager – Barclays Bank
Mr Toby Heintz, MD – Pinnacle Retec
Mr David Land, MD – Drive2Business
Mr Steve Robson, Executive Manager Operations – South Durham Enterprise Agency
Mr Michael Smith, Partner – Tait Walker
Mr Jonathan Walker, Assistant Director – Policy, NEECC
Ms Victoria Gemmill, Head, UK Regions – North East, Department for International Trade
Mr Scott Bibby, Managing Director – CoreHaus Limited
Mr Peter Razaq, Co-Founder and Chairman – Kans and Kandy Group
Mr Neil Spann, CEO – Power Roll
Mr Michael Stirrup, CEO – Waterstons Limited
Officers:
Amy Harhoff, Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth
Sarah Slaven, Managing Director, Business Durham
Peter McDowell, Property & Business Services Director
Caroline Taukulis, Team Manager Business Engagement
Peter Rippingale, Team Manager – Inward Investment and Opportunities
Councillors:
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of the Council and Chair of Business Durham Advisory Board
Cllr Richard Bell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance
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 Watts Stelling, Chair of Durham County Council
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
