Search begins for new business council chair

A North East business group is preparing for a change in leadership as it searches for its next chair.

The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority is recruiting a successor to John McCabe, who will step down from its Business Advisory Council at the end of his two-year term.

John, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, will hand over to his successor in January 2027.

He has played a key role in establishing the council, which brings together senior business figures from across the region and a range of sectors.

The group provides business insight and advice to North East mayor Kim McGuinness and her senior team, helping inform decision-making across the Mayoral Strategic Authority.

John said: “Business has an important role to play in shaping the work of our mayors and strategic authorities. 

“Strong engagement with business leads to better decisions, better policies and ultimately better outcomes for people across the North East.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved over the past two years in establishing the Business Advisory Council and bringing together such a diverse range of business voices and experience.

“The Council has made a valuable contribution to the development of initiatives including the Mayoral Development Zones and plans to increase investment in SMEs, helping ensure that the voice of business is heard as the region’s devolution journey gathers pace.

“I would like to thank the mayor and her cabinet colleagues, the MSA’s chief executive Henry Kippin and his senior team, and my fellow council members for their commitment and hard work throughout my term.

“As my term as chair comes to an end, I look forward to continuing to support businesses across the North East through my role as chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce.”

Mayor McGuinness added: “John McCabe has done a great deal to bring business behind our ambitious plans to create jobs and new opportunity for people right across the region. 

“I’d like to thank him for his commitment to our Business Advisory Council and I look forward to continuing to work with him in new ways as his term comes to an end.

“We are investing hundreds of millions to help small businesses grow, invest in green energy and green jobs, and transform our creative sector among other things. 

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Business Advisory Council as it continues to evolve under a new chair, building on John’s legacy.”

The recruitment process is now underway, with the successful candidate set to take up the chair role from January.

Henry Kippin, chief executive of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, added: “We are immensely grateful for the time and energy John has brought to his role as chair of the Business Advisory Council throughout his term.

“We are now starting the search for a successor who can take on the role of chair from January 2027 as we seize the opportunities that the gathering pace of devolution will bring for North East England.”

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