1 . What do you do ? I ’ m chief executive at South Durham Enterprise Agency which is a privilege . We ’ re an awarding-winning economic development agency and my role is to lead the team and organisation . I ’ m a non exec with ABPC and sit on a number of AAP boards , including the Newton Aycliffe AAP .
2 . Who have you worked for in the past ? I spent my career plying my trade as a commercial marketing manager , mainly in Teesside . I started a small businesses a number of years ago also , but moved back into employment just before I started in economic development . My time spent in marketing was for a number of companies including Elddis Caravans , North East Truck and Van , Faraday Centre , Blue Tanning & Beauty to name a few .
3 . Best part of your job ? Working in the enterprise sector can be tough , we ’ ve become experts at doing more with less but you get to be part of people ’ s business start up journey . Helping them create their own business , sometimes for the first time , is really rewarding . You then get to see the difference that makes to people ’ s lives , and in turn to the communities they live in .
4 . Is there anything about your job that you really don ’ t like ? It ’ s hard dealing with bureaucracy , and dealing with funding of any kind will bring you into contact with it , but it ’ s a necessary part of the role . I think I ’ ve become institutionalised to it now , so accept it as normal practice and actually can see the benefit and need for robust processes when public money is being distributed .
5 . Favourite thing about working on Aycliffe Business Park ? I ’ ve seen the estate change and grow for a long time . I guess I take some of the activity that takes place here for granted , but when you look at what we have ... some of the region ’ s largest employers , we have a new and existing centres for learning , hi-tech industries , traditional manufacturing , great service sector businesses and growth taking place all the time . That ’ s a brilliant mix to have , not only in the centre of the patch we serve , but on my doorstep as a resident .
6 . Which company / individual on the park do you do the most work with ? We do a lot of work with Technology Court , and the guys at MCR property who own and manage Whinbank Park . There are some great businesses on Whinbank and its tucked away in the centre of the park like a little hidden gem .
7 . Who ’ s your tip for future success ? We work with hundreds of individuals every year starting new ventures so it would be hard to single one of those guys out . I wish every one of them success .
8 . Four famous people you ’ d love to have round for dinner and why ? Bill Gates , both for entrepreneurship input and his investment in social change . A guy called Paul Oakenfold , who works in the music industry and has a number of record labels in the States . Irvine Welsh , just for pure interest factor , his writing is amazing and he still does a lot for social change . Final spot would go to JK Rowling , I ’ m not into the Potter series but I think Rowling has an interesting story to tell regarding her own journey .
9 . If you could do something else in business , what would it be ? Make music . I ’ ve always admired creative people and how they turn their art into businesses and financial success , although those aspects probably don ’ t come into their value structure .
10 . Who ’ s your favourite Tweeter ? I don ’ t use Twitter regularly but when I do , I check what Ryan Reynolds and Ross Noble have to say , it ’ s usually funny but NSFW I ’ d suggest !
11 . Have you ever done anything really daring ? Starting a small business ... I was fool hardy and knew very little about the process but bumbled my way through , other than that I worked in Consett for a number of years , and I did venture out into town on the odd Friday after work . I ’ ll let others decide on which is more extreme .
12 . What ’ s the best piece of business advice you ’ ve been given ? Perception is projection ... or , as I interpreted it , you have to believe in yourself and your own ability . If you
13 . If money was no object , what would be your ideal car ? I ’ m a little strange with cars so it ’ s not really a super car , I love Mark 2 Ford Escorts and would love to renovate one if I had the time , I guess that ’ s nostalgia playing tricks on the emotive mind and I ’ d soon realise they were rubbish . If I had to go for a super car , a 1973 Ferrari 308 GT4 .
14 . Money no object , your dream holiday would be ? As long as I ’ m with my little girl Lucy and she ’ s having fun I don ’ t mind , so probably Lapland before she turns into a surely teenager .
15 . Do you have a favourite band or type of music ? I ’ ve a pretty eclectic taste , but love electronic music in most its forms , Drum and Bass , Tech-House , if it ’ s got some soul and a good vibe I ’ ll listen to it .
16 . What is your greatest achievement ? My family , and a special mention to my involvement with SDEA , we have a great board and team and being part of the agency during tough times and seeing us through to our current position has been an achievement for all the team to appreciate .
17 . How would you best describe yourself in four words ? Chaotic , Helpful , Complex and Energetic .
18 . Where do you see yourself in five years ? Five years is a little too far away to make any predictions credible , but I know I ’ m getting married next year so happily married , for sure , still working in economic development , probably , talking about how the region has powered us through Brexit , I hope .
19 . Who ’ s the most famous person you ’ ve ever met ? I did a little bit of work in Earls Court at large exhibitions and every year there would be a ‘ celeb ’ in the vicinity . We had David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser one year , followed by Tara Palmer Tomkinson in 2002 . I also drove Paul Oakenfold ( see dinner guest invitee above ) to Stoke once for a gig .
20 . Do you have any guilty pleasures ? Despite the high esteem in which I hold my own musical taste , I ’ ve seen Robbie Williams live five times ( once with Take That ), which is less about the music and more about investing in what the other half is in to . Sometimes you have put aside your aversions and ( try to ) enjoy the things your nearest and dearest enjoys . I also own a Taylor Swift album ! Catchy country pop songs for the 21st century and , let ’ s face it , Taylor brings it , so there ’ s no guilt there ...
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 31
8 .
1 . What do you do ? I ’ m chief executive at South Durham Enterprise Agency which is a privilege . We ’ re an awarding-winning economic development agency and my role is to lead the team and organisation . I ’ m a non exec with ABPC and sit on a number of AAP boards , including the Newton Aycliffe AAP .
2 . Who have you worked for in the past ? I spent my career plying my trade as a commercial marketing manager , mainly in Teesside . I started a small businesses a number of years ago also , but moved back into employment just before I started in economic development . My time spent in marketing was for a number of companies including Elddis Caravans , North East Truck and Van , Faraday Centre , Blue Tanning & Beauty to name a few .
3 . Best part of your job ? Working in the enterprise sector can be tough , we ’ ve become experts at doing more with less but you get to be part of people ’ s business start up journey . Helping them create their own business , sometimes for the first time , is really rewarding . You then get to see the difference that makes to people ’ s lives , and in turn to the communities they live in .
4 . Is there anything about your job that you really don ’ t like ? It ’ s hard dealing with bureaucracy , and dealing with funding of any kind will bring you into contact with it , but it ’ s a necessary part of the role . I think I ’ ve become institutionalised to it now , so accept it as normal practice and actually can see the benefit and need for robust processes when public money is being distributed .
5 . Favourite thing about working on Aycliffe Business Park ? I ’ ve seen the estate change and grow for a long time . I guess I take some of the activity that takes place here for granted , but when you look at what we have ... some of the region ’ s largest employers , we have a new and existing centres for learning , hi-tech industries , traditional manufacturing , great service sector businesses and growth taking place all the time . That ’ s a brilliant mix to have , not only in the centre of the patch we serve , but on my doorstep as a resident .
13 .
6 . Which company / individual on the park do you do the most work with ? We do a lot of work with Technology Court , and the guys at MCR property who own and manage Whinbank Park . There are some great businesses on Whinbank and its tucked away in the centre of the park like a little hidden gem .
7 . Who ’ s your tip for future success ? We work with hundreds of individuals every year starting new ventures so it would be hard to single one of those guys out . I wish every one of them success .
8 . Four famous people you ’ d love to have round for dinner and why ? Bill Gates , both for entrepreneurship input and his investment in social change . A guy called Paul Oakenfold , who works in the music industry and has a number of record labels in the States . Irvine Welsh , just for pure interest factor , his writing is amazing and he still does a lot for social change . Final spot would go to JK Rowling , I ’ m not into the Potter series but I think Rowling has an interesting story to tell regarding her own journey .
9 . If you could do something else in business , what would it be ? Make music . I ’ ve always admired creative people and how they turn their art into businesses and financial success , although those aspects probably don ’ t come into their value structure .
10 . Who ’ s your favourite Tweeter ? I don ’ t use Twitter regularly but when I do , I check what Ryan Reynolds and Ross Noble have to say , it ’ s usually funny but NSFW I ’ d suggest !
11 . Have you ever done anything really daring ? Starting a small business ... I was fool hardy and knew very little about the process but bumbled my way through , other than that I worked in Consett for a number of years , and I did venture out into town on the odd Friday after work . I ’ ll let others decide on which is more extreme .
12 . What ’ s the best piece of business advice you ’ ve been given ? Perception is projection ... or , as I interpreted it , you have to believe in yourself and your own ability . If you
don ’ t believe in your position , sales pitch , product , service etcetera , whatever you do in life , then that will come across on some level , so be introspective about your own feelings on a subject , gain confidence and belief in it , then go and take it the world !
13 . If money was no object , what would be your ideal car ? I ’ m a little strange with cars so it ’ s not really a super car , I love Mark 2 Ford Escorts and would love to renovate one if I had the time , I guess that ’ s nostalgia playing tricks on the emotive mind and I ’ d soon realise they were rubbish . If I had to go for a super car , a 1973 Ferrari 308 GT4 .
14 . Money no object , your dream holiday would be ? As long as I ’ m with my little girl Lucy and she ’ s having fun I don ’ t mind , so probably Lapland before she turns into a surely teenager .
15 . Do you have a favourite band or type of music ? I ’ ve a pretty eclectic taste , but love electronic music in most its forms , Drum and Bass , Tech-House , if it ’ s got some soul and a good vibe I ’ ll listen to it .
16 . What is your greatest achievement ? My family , and a special mention to my involvement with SDEA , we have a great board and team and being part of the agency during tough times and seeing us through to our current position has been an achievement for all the team to appreciate .
17 . How would you best describe yourself in four words ? Chaotic , Helpful , Complex and Energetic .
18 . Where do you see yourself in five years ? Five years is a little too far away to make any predictions credible , but I know I ’ m getting married next year so happily married , for sure , still working in economic development , probably , talking about how the region has powered us through Brexit , I hope .
19 . Who ’ s the most famous person you ’ ve ever met ? I did a little bit of work in Earls Court at large exhibitions and every year there would be a ‘ celeb ’ in the vicinity . We had David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser one year , followed by Tara Palmer Tomkinson in 2002 . I also drove Paul Oakenfold ( see dinner guest invitee above ) to Stoke once for a gig .
20 . Do you have any guilty pleasures ? Despite the high esteem in which I hold my own musical taste , I ’ ve seen Robbie Williams live five times ( once with Take That ), which is less about the music and more about investing in what the other half is in to . Sometimes you have put aside your aversions and ( try to ) enjoy the things your nearest and dearest enjoys . I also own a Taylor Swift album ! Catchy country pop songs for the 21st century and , let ’ s face it , Taylor brings it , so there ’ s no guilt there ...