This week’s North East appointments: Featuring Newcastle University, North East LEP and Fostr

This week’s round up of North East appointments includes Newcastle University, the North East LEP and Fostr. Read on to find out more.

Debra Leeves, Newcastle University

Serial entrepreneur Debra Leeves has been appointed as this year’s David Goldman Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise at Newcastle University.

Debra is currently CEO for Vertual Ltd, a global supplier of virtual reality (VR) software systems and has worked in technology companies and the pharmaceutical industry for the past 30 years, leading companies in the US, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

Among other board-level roles, Debra is currently chair of the Institute of Directors (East Yorkshire) and executive chair of Atelerix, a spin-out company from Newcastle University that has developed a ground-breaking solution for the preservation of cells, tissues, and viral material at hypothermic temperature, avoiding the need for cryopreservation.

Debra commented: “It means a lot to be selected as this year’s David Goldman Professor and I feel very humbled by it.

“I am looking forward to immersing myself in everything the Business School does, and I’m determined to make sure that the students, staff and everyone involved with the Business School gets the most use out of my background, knowledge, and skills.”

Professor Stewart Robinson, Dean of Newcastle University Business School, added: “I am delighted that Debra will be this year’s David Goldman Visiting Professor of Innovation and Enterprise. Her expertise is a tremendous opportunity for our students and faculty, and I am looking forward to working with her.”

(L - R): Alan Johnson, Sam Whitehouse and Emily Cox MBE: North East LEP

Three new members have been appointed to the Board of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) bringing expertise from automotive, finance and health and life sciences.

Alan Johnson, vice president and managing director of Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK), Sunderland Plant, Sam Whitehouse, executive chairman and former CEO of High Force Research Ltd and Emily Cox MBE, group ambassador for the North and Group head of colleague relations & policy at Lloyds Banking Group join the Board, replacing outgoing members, Gillian Hall, Kate Medcalf and Erika Leadbeater.

Lucy Winskell OBE, chair of the North East LEP, commented: “Our Board members support the North East LEP’s work of bringing more and better jobs into the North East economy and they also have the important role of representing the voice of businesses, ensuring that North East business’s views are heard on a regional and national scale.

“Emily, Alan and Sam bring with them exceptional skills and knowledge which will be invaluable to the North East LEP as we build a brighter, more sustainable future for our region.”

Alan Johnson has been with Nissan since 1991, when he joined as a graduate engineer. He has since worked with Nissan in Spain, Russia and France, and is now based in Sunderland, overseeing the operation of one of Europe’s most productive car plants.

Sam Whitehouse brings with him extensive experience in health and life sciences and is currently Executive Chairman at High Force Research, a chemical R&D specialist which manufactures advanced pharmaceutical ingredients.

Emily Cox MBE, added: “The business community here in the North East is innovative, collaborative and ambitious and I’m looking forward to working with the executive team and my fellow board members to help create more opportunities to grow the regional economy in an inclusive way, ultimately creating more and better jobs for our residents.”

Angela Mahon, Fostr

Fostr, a Newcastle based eCommerce agency specialising in Shopify Plus for global luxury, fashion and beauty brands, announces the appointment of Angela Mahon as its head of solutions, a new role for the business.

Angela joins the team from Shopify, where she was previously Engineering Program Manager, Product Operations, responsible for developing the EMEA R&D vision.

Fostr director Emma Robinson commented: “With a background in design, research, development and solution management, Angela brings with her a wealth of experience from the eCommerce sector and an exceptional understanding of the Shopify Platform and ecosystem.

“The decision to introduce this new role was crucial to support our ambitious growth plans and Angela has already made a great contribution to the business.”

Angela added: “As a key aspect of my role, I am responsible for providing technical leadership to a talented group of developers and identifying new opportunities for product development to support Fostr’s commercial goals.

“I was impressed by the Fostr team’s bold growth plans and felt driven to join them on this journey. I am also especially eager to be an advocate for Shopify in this new capacity.”

idhl Group consists of nine digital marketing agencies including WMG, Ingenuity Digital, equation, NetConstruct, Statement, Pinpoint, Wired Plus, Fostr and Ampersand.

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By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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