NEWS
ADVICE
Graeme McGregor has been appointed managing director of Ebac .
NEW BOSS
Newton Aycliffe manufacturer Ebac has appointed a new managing director .
Graeme McGregor will work closely with the firm ’ s founder and chairman , John Elliott MBE , to take advantage of the economic recovery following Covid to build and sell more Ebac products .
Graeme has first class experience working at a top level with some of the world ’ s most complex specialist chemical industry companies .
He has spent nearly 27 years as a leader with the forward-thinking sustainable technology company , Johnson Matthey .
During his career he was managing director of different Johnson Matthey businesses in the chemical , industrial processes and oil and gas sectors and most recently headed up the new business division .
His working life has taken him from Tioxide International in South Africa to a former ICI business on Teesside , Synetix , to Johnson Matthey organisations in Europe , the USA and Africa .
SWEET 16 FOR CRAFTER ’ S
Crafter ’ s Companion celebrated its 16th birthday in October with a series of special celebrations and giveaways on its digital platform , Crafter ’ s TV .
Crafter ’ s Companion was founded by Sara Davies MBE in 2005 , when she was studying for a business degree at York University .
While undergoing the placement , Sara spotted a gap in the market for a tool which could create bespoke envelopes for crafters . With this in mind , Sara created The Enveloper and Crafter ’ s Companion was born .
Sara said : “ This is a real milestone moment for us and we ’ re celebrating in style ! Marking our 16th birthday means a lot to everyone at the company and to me personally .
Ebac appoints managing director
Graeme is from South Africa , having graduated in finance from the University of KwaZulu-Natal , and the London Business School .
His key skills , which will all be applied in his new role at Ebac , are the development of detailed strategies , including financial targets , and developing key performance indicators and SMART ( Specific , Measurable , Achievable , Realistic and anchored within a Time Frame ) objectives to deliver market leading performance results which benefit customers , staff and shareholders .
Graeme said : “ Ebac is exactly the type of business that the north needs to help our economy reach its potential .
“ It is locally owned , with specific objectives in its constitution to deliver manufactured products from factories in County Durham .
“ Its focus is on designing and manufacturing great electrical products that are popular , reliable and affordable in the UK market and beyond .”
“ For more than a year , businesses have been faced with a number of challenges and taking the time to step back , appreciate the hard work and look at how far we ’ ve come is really important .
“ I ’ m so incredibly proud of what the whole team at Crafter ’ s Companion has achieved in the last 16 years . We are always looking to improve , expand and create new and innovative products for the craft industry , exporting to more than 40 different countries across the world .”
GATEWAY TO BUSINESS SUPPORT
If three words would best reflect DBOP – they would be ‘ flexible , agile and impartial . The DBOP programme has a team of three business advisors based in North , East and South-West Durham who are dedicated to understanding business needs , to provide a gateway for support and advice based on the goals , objectives and ambitions of each and every company we meet .
In this challenging and rapidly changing world we are here to help businesses develop new and innovative solutions , overcome barriers to growth , secure funding , discover new supply chain opportunities and recruit the best staff .
DBOP has been running for five years and has another year to run . To date we have intensively assisted hundreds of businesses directly through our intensive support programmes , designed to help businesses take advantage of opportunities in sectors identified as being high growth . Currently we have three intensive support programmes :
Construction – helping construction businesses win more public and private sector contracts .
Covid Recovery – supporting micro and small businesses get back on track .
Engineering and Manufacturing – helping businesses in the sector overcome barriers to sales and win new contracts .
Essentially , we are here to simplify the business support landscape , saving time and helping companies achieve their goals .
Our motto is “ if we can ’ t help directly we will know someone who can ”. # DBOPItsWhatWeDo
How do I contact DBOP for a meeting or call ?
Either contact us via our website ( businessdurham . co . uk ) or email DBOPEnquiries @ durham . gov . uk and one of us will be in touch . Lisa Wall Business engagement officer , Business Durham ’ s Durham Business Opportunities Programme ( DBOP )
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 9