Regeneration body unveils business board members

A regeneration body has unveiled members of an advisory panel it says will help boost economic growth. 

The North East Combined Authority and mayor Kim McGuinness have added commercial sector leaders to the organisation's business and economy board.

They say the venture will strengthen ties between the public and private sectors and help drive economic success.

Board members include Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne chief executive; Nagma Ebanks-Beni, Prima Cheese co-chief executive; Gill Hunter, Square One Law managing partner; and Jim Brewin, Hitachi Rail UK & Ireland chief director.

The appointments come after John McCabe, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, and Emily Cox, group ambassador for the North at Lloyds Banking Group, were named chair and vice-chair, respectively.

Mayor McGuinness said: “Our revamped business and economy board will help make the North East the home of real opportunity.

“We have a strong and compelling offer to government and investors, and the new make-up of the board will play a vital role in helping us attract jobs and investment, and promoting the North East on the national and international stage.”

John added: “This is a crucial time for the North East, and we’re building the foundations to help our economy grow. 

“The board will bring a strong business voice and expertise into the combined authority’s work.

“I’m delighted to welcome new members to the board; we will harness our expertise and passion to tell a positive story about the North East and the potential of our people and businesses.”

The board’s first meeting took place on March 6, where members discussed the mayor’s draft Local Growth Plan.

It will focus on five key missions, including growing the regional economy, promoting green energy, boosting global trade and opportunities, and making “a North East we are proud to call home”.

The new members of the board are:

• Matt Beeton, chief executive, Port of Tyne
• Nagma Ebanks-Beni, co-chief executive, Prima Cheese
• Brenda McLeish, chief executive, Learning Curve Group
• Sandra Manson, executive director, Pegasus Group and chair, Developing Consensus
• Kirsty Wells, chair, Merit
• Andy Long, vice chancellor, Northumbria University
• Jim Brewin, chief director, UK & Ireland, Hitachi Rail
• Ed Twiddy, director, environment, society and government, Atom Bank and chair, Northstar Ventures
• Gill Hunter, managing partner, Square One Law
• Reshma Begum, development manager, Federation of Small Businesses
• Charlie Hoult, managing director, Hoults Yard Business Centre
• Charlie Charlton, community engagement manager, Newcastle Helix

The new appointments join the existing members of the board, who are:

• Emily Cox, group ambassador for the North and head of colleague relations and policy at Lloyds Banking Group
• Colin Hewitt, senior partner, Ward Hadaway
• Alan Johnson, senior vice president for manufacturing, Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK
• Ammar Mirza, managing director, AmmarM Ltd
• Heidi Mottram CBE, chief executive, Northumbrian Water
• Phil Redman, area director, Mott MacDonald
• Mark Thompson, managing partner, Ryder Architecture
• Ellen Thinnesen, chief executive, Education Partnership North East
• Sam Whitehouse, chief executive, High Force Research and LightOx

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