The activities of Business Durham are overseen by an Advisory Board comprising of leading members of the County Council together with prominent business leaders in the County.
The current members of the Advisory Board are:
Current Associate Directors:
Ms Rhiannon Bearne, Policy and Representation Director – North East England Chamber of Commerce
Mr Scott Bibby, Country Manager – Etex New Ways for the UK and Ireland
Mr Jim Brewin, Chief Director UK & Ireland – Hitachi Rail
Ms Tania Cooper MBE, MD – Steelbenders
Mr David Foreman, Regional Manager, North East region – Barclays Bank
Ms Victoria Gemmill, Head of Campaigns – Department for International Trade
Mr Toby Heintz, MD – Pinnacle Retec
Mr Jonathan Moreland, Managing Partner – Swinburne Maddison
Mr Peter Razaq, Co-Founder and Chairman – Kans and Kandy Group
Mr Michael Smith, Chairman, RTC North Limited
Mr Michael Stirrup, CEO – Waterstons Limited
Mr Neil Spann, CEO – Power Roll
Mr Michael Tyerman, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director – Filtronic
Officers:
Amy Harhoff, Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth
Andy Kerr, Head of Economic Development
Peter Rippingale, Director of Inward Investment and Opportunities
Sarah Slaven, Managing Director, Business Durham
Councillors:
Cllr Richard Bell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of the Council and Chair of Business Durham Advisory Board
Cllr Carl Marshall, Leader of the Labour Group
Cllr James Rowlandson, Cabinet Member for Resources, Investments & Assets
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Cabinet Member for Economy & Partnerships
Cllr Mark Wilkes, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods & Climate Change.
Advisory Board Role:
- Offer a private sector perspective to Business Durham activities and proposals
- Offer insight through experience into the business world and global economy
- Act as the interface between private sector and the County Council
- Act as champions and ambassadors for County Durham
- Sponsor and promote initiatives and events for County Durham
- Provide a focus for and influence on County Council economic policy and strategy through acting as a critical friend
- Provide a focus for the engagement of the private sector