Management Group
Leading the forum is a business-led management group, which represents a cross-section of the business community. Management group members provide advice and guidance on particular areas of expertise, chair the Forum’s various Sector Groups and Sub-Groups, and provide a link to a wider network of business groups and associations.
Chair | David W Bavaird
Engaging Pathways
David Bavaird, a director of North Shields-based Engaging Pathways, has worked in finance, logistics and project management for over 20 years and brings a wealth of experience to the role. He is also the former-chair of North Shields Chamber of Trade and Commerce,and sits on a number of boards of education and third sector organisations.
Vice Chair | Karen Goldfinch
Made to Treasure
Karen has worked in retail for over 30 years and has experience of both large chain stores and independent high street stores. Opening her own retail business ‘Made to Treasure’ in 2002, she has now diversified into the service industry and continues to grow her company, specialising in Wedding & Events – both social and corporate events. Karen is the former Chair of Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade, and an administrator on several local social media groups, both community & business focused groups, including the North Tyneside Business Forum.
Start-up Business
Paul Hull
For the Love of the North
For the Love of the North, gift shop specialising in all things North East and based in Whitley Bay were nominated by an advisor at The Business Factory as a business which turned “adversity into opportunity” when taking redundancy. They showed how as one door opens another closes.
Paul Hull, joint owner at For the Love of the North said: “We are delighted to have been nominated to be a member of the Forum management group. My wife Lucy and I both know the importance of hitting on the right offer and know who our customers are and how to reach them. To be able to help with the strategic direction of the Forum and influence the decisions based on how a start-up business operates and would like support with, is a real opportunity to help start-up businesses in North Tyneside.’’
Micro Businesses
Manufacturing Lead | Andrew Esson
Esson Partnership
Andrew is a leading North East industrialist who has achieved regional and national recognition for his leadership of North East manufacturing businesses. Now operating in an advisory and non-executive capacity, Andrew is also a Scale up Partner within the Scale up North East Programme. Andrew is currently Chair of the EEF NE Regional Advisory Board. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Mike Peeke-Vout
Wubbleyou Limited
Mike Peeke-Vout, Director at North Shields-based Wubbleyou Limited said: “Myself and my business partner Mark Renney have been regulars at Business Forum events since our inception in 2010 and we’re very pleased to join the group. When we saw the vacancy posts on social media we had to submit our expression of interest. Working with like-minded businesses in the area is something we are passionate about and being able to bring a new range of skills to the organisation is great.”
Small Businesses
Treasurer | David Hodgson
Read Milburn & Co
David is both a chartered accountant and chartered banker with over 40 years experience advising and representing a wide variety of North Tyneside businesses and not-for-profit organisations. Over the past two decades David has been involved in numerous local voluntary, community and educational organisations including YMCA North Tyneside, Cullercoats National Lifeboat Institution and New Hope for Children.
Pat Davidson
Rotational Engineering
As a North Tyneside business employing local people for 25 years Rotational Engineering specialist tool makers and sheet metal fabrications Rotational Engineering value their involvement with North Tyneside Business Forum. The aim is to contribute to the success of the local manufacturing industry by networking and building of strong business relationships in their opinion this is the key to growing the economy in our region.
Martin Heddon
RWO Assosciates
Martin is a chartered engineer with over 18 years experience working in the public and private sectors, for both small and large businesses. Martin leads the Structures team at RWO which serves residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Martin has been actively involved with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) both regionally and nationally for a number of years and is passionate about inspiring the next generation.
Medium Businesses
Toby Bridges
NBT Group
Toby Bridges is an experienced company director and has been CEO of NBT Group Ltd, since 2008. Toby mentors numerous businesses across the NE, on behalf of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and Entrepreneurial Spark. He has also recently been invited on to the Scale-up Advisory Board, an organisation backed by the NE LEP to support Scale Up companies across its region.
Craig Firth
GasTech Ltd
Craig Firth, Director at GasTech Ltd said: “To be able to share our experiences in business and influence the strategic direction of the Forum in 2018/19 is an honour. To win the Business of the Year award was over whelming and we hope to be able to bring knowledge of business growth, the industry and training new and existing staff to the group.”
Education Link
Lee Patterson
Queen Alexandra Sixth Form (TyneMet)
Info to follow…
Chambers of Trade Liaisons
Kevin Stephenson
Experts in Business Ltd
Kevin is Chair of Wallsend Chamber, Non-Executive Director for Northumberland Cricket Board and CEO of Experts in Business. Experts in Business has a focus on adding value to your talent by recruiting the right people for your business and providing training to increase your sales. He has been a Director and board member for over 20 years. Throughout his career, he has created and delivered sustainable improvements in profitability to businesses in different verticals.
Miles Walton
Walton Bourke Properties
Miles is Chair of the North Shields Chamber of Trade and Commerce. After practising as a corporate tax lawyer in London for 30 years, Miles returned to the North East, and he & his wife now rent out commercial and residential properties in the UK, France and Ireland.
Council Liaison
Business Forum Officer | Amy Farrell
North Tyneside Council
Amy started her role at North Tyneside Council as a Social Media Marketing Apprentice in Sept 2014. Amy has been involved in many projects including The Business Factory and Invest North Tyneside. After securing a position following the completion of her apprenticeship, Amy is now responsible for delivering North Tyneside Business Forum activity programme and marketing. Over the 2 years in the role, she has successfully delivered Business Awards ceremonies, numerous events for the Forum and has implemented a range of projects.