INTERVIEW
Vision - Patrick swapped North Tyneside for Sunderland .
the government was heavily involved , in particular investment minister Lord Gerry Grimstone , who was massively helpful .
“ I ’ m confident that on a national level , Sunderland is now seen as a safe pair of hands , a city where businesses feel comfortable and reassured about moving to or investing in .”
He clearly takes pride in what the council has achieved under his watch , but is equally clear there is much still to do .
Patrick added : “ Inward investment is always ongoing , you can never rest . But when I do step down , I hope there are more businesses in the city , there are more people employed , people are healthier and better qualified and the city has more entrepreneurs .
“ There is still work to be done in diversifying our economy , particularly in the services and digital sectors – and there are still infrastructure improvements needed , though our new central station will be very welcome .”
Patrick has delivered much , but is confident there is so much more to come …
Patrick was born and bred in Jarrow , and went to secondary school in South Shields . The son of a construction worker , he left school at 16 to become a trainee clerical assistant as South Tyneside Council .
His first placement in his new role was within the finance department , where he showed so much promise he remained after an initial six weeks . As promised , the council supported him in gaining further qualifications and he gained a BTEC from South Tyneside Council and then formal accountancy qualifications from New College Durham .
He then moved into a trainee accountancy role at the council and was put through further professional exams , becoming fully qualified at 22 .
He was seconded into the social services department where he spent the next eight years , leading a growing team .
He then left South Tyneside Council to become director of finance for Northumbria Probation Service where he stayed for three years before being appointed chief resources officer at
Durham Police .
In 2008 , after five years with the police , Patrick returned to South Tyneside Council as director of resources and regeneration where he worked for chief executive Irene Lucas , who he succeeded at Sunderland City Council .
Five years later , he crossed the Tyne to become chief executive at North Tyneside Council , becoming chief executive in Sunderland in 2018 .
He said : “ Sunderland was a great opportunity . The challenges were significant , but I felt I ’ d delivered on what I ’ d been asked to do in North Tyneside and it felt like a good time to move on .”
He also has a master ' s in business administration from Durham University and a diploma in executive coaching from Newcastle Business School .
A keen sportsman when he was younger , he played football and basketball and ran competitively for Jarrow and Hebburn Athletics Club .
He still follows sports but does his thinking at his beloved allotment , where he finds peace and tranquillity .
wear . business – the voice of business for the Wear region | 19