Then and now: John McCabe

In a new feature for Bdaily, John McCabe, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, reflects on his career, from his first role to the present day, highlighting the lessons he has learned from his personal and professional evolution. 

What does your role as North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive entail?

There are only 51 other people in the UK with the title Chamber chief executive, so this is quite an unusual job. 

We’re a small business, so that brings its own excitement and pressure to the role. 

The Chamber exists to support, connect and represent our members, so I’m involved in all aspects of the core business activities, as well as leading an executive team that sets and manages our budget, controls our risks, makes investment and recruitment decisions, and maintains the wellbeing of our brilliant staff. 

In addition to my day job, I represent all 52 Chambers on the British Chambers of Commerce Business Council. 

I’m also a deputy lieutenant of Tyne & Wear, honorary professor of business at Teesside University, a member of the North East Investment Zone advisory board and I sit on the Prince’s Trust North East development committee. 

Life is never dull!

Did you always want to work in the business support environment? Or did you have other ambitions when you were growing up?

I never believed I’d be Chamber chief executive until I got the call from the chair of our board the day after final interviews were held. 

I’ve just had my three-year anniversary, and I sometimes still can’t quite believe I’ve been handed this privilege. 

Growing up, I wanted to play football for Liverpool or be James Bond. 

I love my job, but I haven’t quite given up on those ambitions.

What was your first job – and did you enjoy it?

I was a trainee at Northumbrian Water, essentially an apprentice. 

I probably learnt more in those first five years than in the rest of my career combined. 

It was a fantastic opportunity to do things that should have been way beyond my years, but I jumped at every chance I was given.

Were there any mentors or individuals that helped shape your career? And are you still applying lessons you learned then to your workforce of today?

There was a press officer at Northumbrian Water called Sally Allen, and she taught me so much. 

She could have me in hysterics, but when it came to handling the media, she was the best in the business. 

Sally died a few years ago, way too soon, and I miss her to this day. 

The best bosses and colleagues I’ve ever had always showed great respect for the people around them.

That, above all else, is what I’ve learnt and try to display.

What attracted you to the role at the North East Chamber of Commerce?

The opportunity to champion the region and contribute to a stronger, fairer North East.

How do you feel you’ve changed as a person over the years? Have career roles brought new dimensions to your personality?

I’d like to think I’ve retained a sense of decency and optimism, while hopefully becoming a little more patient.

You’ve seen many changes to the employment world across your career – how do you see the workplace evolving in years to come?

It’s going to become increasingly flexible and that’s a good thing. 

We need to consider workplace wellbeing and improved productivity as two sides of the same coin.

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