MEET THE TEAM
JULIE LEONARD, SALES MANAGER Julie joined the Tees Business team in May 2026 as business development manager, with more than 25 years’ experience in sales, business development, customer engagement and leadership roles across a range of sectors. Julie, from Stockton, has built a strong reputation for developing high-performing teams, nurturing long-term client relationships and delivering commercial growth throughout her career. Favourite famous Teessider: Bob Mortimer E: julie. leonard @ teesbusiness. co. uk
HARRY PEARSON, COLUMNIST Great Ayton-born Harry wrote more than 800 sports columns for The Guardian and is the author of 11 non-fiction books. Favourite famous Teessider: Captain Cook E: harrypea @ hotmail. com
SARAH DALE, FEATURE WRITER Sarah was a Gazette multimedia journalist for 16 years, covering features, business, news and local politics. She is a director of PR and media communications business SASS Media. Favourite famous Teessider: Bob Mortimer E: sarah. dale @ sassmedialtd. co. uk
STUART BOULTON, PHOTOGRAPHER Stuart worked on local newspapers in the West Midlands before moving to Darlington in 1990 to work on the Northern Echo. After brief spells with the Journal and Assignments Photo Agency, he went freelance in 2015. Favourite famous Teessider: Bob Mortimer E: stueyboulton @ gmail. com
JULIE BURNISTON, FEATURE WRITER Eston-born Julie moved to London at 19. After a stint at IPC magazines, she became a freelance writer. She is now head of business development and communications at Southern Asset Management. Favourite famous Teessider: Bob Mortimer E: julieburnistonfreelance @ gmail. com
SARAH CARLTON, DESIGNER A designer for 13 years who owns her own business, Sarah studied at Cleveland College of Art and Design and earned a First Class degree at Teesside University. Favourite famous Teessider: Bob Mortimer E: sarah @ designbykinship. co. uk
DAVE ROBSON, CHIEF WRITER Dave spent 28 years at the Gazette as a reporter, news editor and columnist. Career highlights include being named North-East Columnist of the Year. He also presents the 8-11am weekday show on Redcar radio station Zetland FM. Favourite famous Teessider: Bob Mortimer E: daverobson1964 @ gmail. com
GRAEME ANDERSON, FEATURE WRITER A journalist with 30-plus years’ experience in news, business, sport and arts reporting, Graeme spent much of his career with the Sunderland Echo. E: gsamedia4u @ gmail. com
TOM BANKS, PHOTOGRAPHER Tom started at the Sunday Sun before spells with the Gazette and Northern Echo. He specialises in editorial, commercial, PR and sport. Favourite famous Teessider: Bob Mortimer E: thomas. banks @ sky. com