PROFILE
“ Build a team that ’ s better than you , and then always look after them .”
The biggest character on the Tees business scene is … That ’ s a tough one but I ’ d go for Frans Caljé , CEO of PD Ports . I ’ ve always looked up to him and admired his approach , his demeanour and his values . He ’ s a big character , but in an understated way and with his own unique style . I ’ ve got to know Frans through the work we do with PD Ports and our partnership with High Tide . An adopted Teessider , he ’ s fiercely proud of the Tees region , optimistic , passionate and inspiring .
Teesside ’ s a great place for business because … It ’ s home . We ’ re so passionate about the region , we love its rich industrial heritage , but we ’ re also incredibly excited about its future . Teesside is reinventing itself , and we ’ re proud to play our small part . As people , we ’ re full of graft and craft in equal measure . We ’ re a brave bunch , we like being the underdog , we love proving people wrong , and we ’ re a region where anything is possible .
My biggest frustration about Teesside is … The Tees Valley brand . It ’ s held us back and has been a subject of great debate for a long time now . It ’ s time we got behind a strong , defined and ambitious brand that reflects our unique region . As an agency that works across the world , we need a place brand to feel part of and which represents us locally , nationally and internationally . That said , there are some exciting things going on behind the scenes . Watch this space !
My favourite local charity is … As chairman of High Tide , I ’ d be in trouble if I didn ’ t choose them as my favourite . However , there are so many incredible organisations across the region doing some brilliant work . As an agency , we ’ re very proud to be involved as patrons with the Teesside Charity and provide our support , time and resources to help other amazing organisations like Headlight Project , Tech Equal and Daisy Chain .
When I ’ m not working , I like to spend my time … Family time is my priority outside work , with my wife Nikki and our daughter , Lily . Over the last six months or so , I ’ ve also been making a real effort to get fit . I ’ ve managed to build it into my routine and really enjoy boxing , playing football and running . And , of course , there ’ s 90 minutes a week devoted to the mighty Boro .
My guilty pleasures are … 2p machines in the arcades . I can spend hours with Lily on them . And buying trainers – Nikki is constantly trying to delete the Nike app off my phone .
The best holiday I ever had was … I ’ m a creature of habit , and for the last 15 years or so , we ’ ve been going on holiday to the same place , Lagos in Portugal . The beach , the sun , the town , the way of life , the people – we just love it .
Not many people know this about me but … I ’ ve got up to grade six playing the piano , and I used to be a beach lifeguard .
In retirement , I ’ ll spend my time … in the arcades in Scarborough .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 31