NEPIC appoints new directors to its board

New directors have been appointed to strengthen the board at the North East Process Industry Cluster.

Three business leaders, who have been involved in NEPIC since its establishment, bring with them a wealth of experience across a range of industry sectors.

Dr Robert Hardy, Douglas Annan and Richard Smith will join industry advocates on the board on April 1.

NEPIC Chairman and President of SABIC UK, Paul Both OBE said:“The process industry is a broad church and no one person can understand all its widely different interests and needs.

“It is very important that we have a Board that not only represents the wide ranging sub-sectors of our industry but also represents the whole of the Northeast region as we have member companies that stretch from Stokesley in North Yorkshire up to Berwick-upon-Tweed.

“The Board now truly reflects this diversity of industry and location.”

New addition to the board Dr Hardy is CEO of Aesica Pharmaceuticals, one of the UK’s best performing and fastest growing pharmaceutical companies with global headquarters in Newcastle.

Also joining the board is Mr Annan, site Director of Sembcorp, the Singaporese site owner and utility provider at Wilton, he brings with him knowledge of the polymer sector.

And Richard Smith, Managing Director of Surfachem, part of the 2M Holdings - the UK speciality chemical group that also owns Banner Chemicals and M&P Storage of Middlesbrough.

NEPIC Vice Chairman Steve Bagshaw said: “I welcome the appointment of Robert, Doug and Richard.

“It really is an honour to be a Board member of NEPIC as Directors we have been chosen by the NEPIC Leadership Team to nurture the Cluster and ensure that the organisation is functional, credible and fit for purpose on behalf of the whole industry and supply chain in the region.

“NEPIC is our combined voice as a sector and we have so many important issues that must be addressed collaboratively in order to stimulate growth and rejuvenation of the sector.

“We need top people like these to take an interest because it is important that the organisation is well managed and has an effective vision and strategy to take the sector forward.”

NEPIC represents a huge proportion of the chemistry using industries in the UK with 50% of its petrochemicals and 35% of its pharmaceuticals manufactured by NEPIC members based in the North East.

CEO of NEPIC, Dr Stan Higgins said: “I am delighted at the outcome of our recent call for new Directors.

“We had a dozen nominations and applications which were reviewed by our Leadership Team.

“They have chosen Robert, Doug and Richard who will all bring a wealth of experience to the Cluster Board.

“We have also invited the unsuccessful candidates to join our Leadership team if they were not already Team Members.”

“The high level support that we continue to get from the top level of the companies in the region really helps when we are discussing our interests with Government, promoting our region abroad to encourage investment or presenting the capabilities of our members to potential customers.

“The Cluster has an excellent UK and international profile mainly because of the high level of support we receive.”