Trio of experts to help Northumberland entrepreneurs

A trio of business experts are set to help Northumberland entrepreneurs realise their growth potential.

Oxford Innovation Limited now have Peter Batty, Sue Timson and Matt Hindhaugh, who will take responsibility for delivery of the Business Northumberland High Growth Programme, part of a £1.35m investment in the county.

Sue Timson joins the team as an experienced business leader and executive coach with a 20 year career in media sales, marketing and management. She specialises in commercial strategy, management and leadership development. Prior to setting up her own consultancy in 2008, she led major cultural change programmes in various organisations and worked for Emap, a FTSE 100 media company as group sales director for the Radio division.

Peter Batty’s areas of expertise include business strategy, commercial insight, change management, mergers and acquisitions and coaching. He has spent much of his career working in senior roles in large corporates, Co-operatives, SMEs and Charitable bodies. As supply chain director at cCo-operative Healthcare he led and implemented a revolutionary new commercial and distribution strategy which helped drive both customer service and profitability.

Matt Hindhaugh, who grew up in Stakeford near Ashington, is a business mentor and thought leader in applied innovation working with large organisations and established SMEs to turn challenges into business opportunities. He has coached and mentored businesses in areas as diverse as eCommerce, enterprise feedback management, telematics and supply chain management. He also and has extensive experience in creating and growing new businesses, including one of the largest automotive contract hire companies in the UK.

Newcastle-born Mike Jobson, Business Northumberland High Growth programme manager at Oxford Innovation, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Sue, Peter and Matt to the team. Together they bring a wealth of experience that will be of huge benefit to our clients.

“Increasing the team extends our range, enabling us to work with ambitious organisations throughout the county and to take an active role in driving business growth by helping local companies to be successful which will benefit the local economy, communities and ultimately help Northumberland to prosper as a great place to do business.”

The Business Northumberland High Growth Programme has been funded by Arch, The Northumberland Development Company Northumberland County Council and the North East European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Anyone wishing to find out more about the Programme and how Oxford Innovation can potentially support their business should call 01670 528403 or email northumberland@oxin.co.uk.