26 | Tees Business
Don't go - new High Tide trustee Kirsten
Donkin insists talented Teessiders can enjoy
fulfilling careers without leaving the region.
A NEW
TIDE
TEES CHARITY’S
NEWCOMERS
STARTING A WAVE
Y
ou don’t have to leave the Tees
region to succeed in your career.
So says Kirsten Donkin, the new
trustee responsible for marketing
and communications of a local charity
dedicated to offering young people valuable
career experiences.
The idea that there’s a lack of high-quality
jobs on Teesside is just one of the myths
Kirsten aims to explode in her new role
with High Tide Foundation that she’ll hold
alongside her position as head of marketing,
PR and communications with PD Ports.
Founded in 2012 by businesses
across the Tees Valley, High Tide has also
welcomed the appointment as chairman
of respected business owner Mark Easby,
better known as founder of Middlesbrough-
based brand agency Better.
High Tide has grown considerably over
the last six years under the watchful eye of
its board of industry and education-based
trustees. The charity’s appointment of a
new chairman and trustee is designed to
continue this success.
Involved with the charity since it began
and well-known for her long-standing role
with PD Ports, Kirsten is keen to drive the
High Tide message forward to grow the
charity’s identity and continue developing
its work.
She said: “Having worked with High
Tide for over six years, I am delighted to
be taking on the role of trustee, being part
of a dedicated team driving the charity’s
ambitious plans and helping young people
achieve their full career potential.
“I have a vested interest in blitzing those
myths and misplaced perceptions about
what is on offer here in the Tees Valley.
Becoming a trustee is a chance to be a
positive role model and share my personal
experience so other young people can see
the potential in their own future.
“You don’t have to leave the area to
succeed in your career, and I’m just one
example of that.”
Having worked with over 8,000 students,
the charity now offers cadetships and work
experience placements further afield than
the thriving Teesside shipping industry,
including finance, law and creative media.
2019 will see the launch of additional
cadetships and further programmes as
the charity continues its commitment to
ensuring that young people across the Tees
Valley are empowered with knowledge
about their options before committing to
fields of study.
Meanwhile, founding High Tide chairman
David Robinson has stepped down to take
up the position of patron, passing the baton
to proud Teessider Mark Easby.
David said: “Over the last six years the
development of High Tide as a leading
charity in the area, focused on supporting
New man at the helm - High Tide
chairman Mark Easby.
young people into work and developing their
career aspirations, has been an incredible
journey.
“It has been a great honour to be
chairman and work with a passionate
and committed team of trustees and
employees.
“We are now seeing the success of our
work as students have completed a series
of programmes and have got real career
momentum, enabling them to go into an
employment or education route of their
choice.”
Mark understands that every business
across the region needs good people; fresh