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Are you an inspirational business leader with a passion for the North East of England?

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is looking to recruit new private sector Board Members, who have a strong connection to and knowledge of the North East and its economy and who can provide a significant contribution to the creation of more and better jobs.

This is an important time in the economic development of the North East as businesses face both challenges and opportunities. We are looking to appoint new Board Members with a strong business background, who have experience of building effective relationships across all sectors, understand the important role of the public sector and have the motivation to fully commit to and represent the North East LEP on a regional and national scale.

These are significant Non-Executive Director positions in terms of public profile, responsibility and accountability to the community. The role brings with it professional rewards, with contact with Government officials and Ministers, and the opportunity to shape interventions that will make a difference to the people and businesses of the North East. Board members are advocates for the North East and for the successes of the LEP to date and in the future.

Board Members will:

• Inspire confidence in the business community, government, the seven Local Authorities and two Combined Authority, investors and all other key partners and stakeholders, that the LEP understands the needs and opportunities of business and can effectively articulate these into strategic economic policy and delivery.

• Provide an authentic and respected voice of business on behalf of the LEP Board, Members and Executive Team on matters of economic strategy and growth – to Government, partners and to the media.

• Fully and effectively contribute to the Board to reach balanced and informed positions on key issues.

• Work closely with the senior LEP Executive, so that there is a unified and coherent approach to all LEP matters, that fully utilises the LEP Executive expertise.

• Represent the LEP and the wider business community on sub-boards or other regional structures as appropriate.

• Promote the North East LEP region as an outstanding location to invest and grow and to directly encourage and stimulate investment in the region.

• Work with the LEP team, combined and local authorities and regional stakeholders to proactively support transition arrangements set out in the Levelling Up White Paper and LEP Review.

We anticipate that you will be a senior business leader with a high profile in the North East or a connection to the North East, and someone who is genuinely motivated and driven to make our area an even better place to live, work and stay. If you are interested in joining a progressive and vibrant LEP then this may be the role for you.

For more information and to apply for the role please click here to download the recruitment pack. The closing date is 9am on Friday 26 August.

Home / board members

Managing Director of Gateshead’s Gate 7 appointed to North East LEP board

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed Kate Wickham, Managing Director of Gateshead-based Gate 7, as a board member.

Kate, who in 2017, was recognised with a MBE for services to export and outward investment, joins current board members from the private, public and education sectors.

Kate said: “Joining the North East LEP board felt like a really good opportunity to do something for the North East. I’m looking forward to working together with the existing board members to use our mix of backgrounds and experience to benefit the region. I think I can provide an alternative viewpoint and I’m honoured to have been appointed to the board.”

Since being appointed as Managing Director of Gate 7 in 2011, Kate has invested heavily in equipment, expansion and a new purpose-built factory in the USA. The company specialises in the supply of decals and printed components to the construction equipment, agricultural and industrial markets and has global contracts with JCB and Volvo, and European contracts with Komatsu, Bobcat and Kuhn.

68% of Gate 7’s products are exported to Europe, India and North America and the company achieved the Queen’s Award for Exports in 2005 and 2018.

Kate added: “The North East has a great track record for successful exporting and we’re a hard-working region with a lot to offer. There’s no end to what we can achieve here given the opportunities and I’ll be working hard to support businesses in the North East, using my experience in manufacturing, exporting and growing an SME.”

Andrew Hodgson, Chair of the North East LEP, said: “Our board members play a vital role in representing the business and education communities in the North East as we drive forward in our plan to create more and better jobs here in the region.

“Kate is a great addition to the board and she continues to maintain the diversity of skills and experience we are fortunate to have. Her clear belief in the scope for growth and success in the region’s economy based upon her personal experience and networks is both a huge asset and a leading example of what can be achieved.”

Kate has been appointed to the board for a period of three years. Other members of the North East LEP board are:

Andrew Hodgson (Chair); Heidi Mottram (Vice Chair); Gillian Hall; David Land; Andrew Moffat; Mark Thompson; Ammar Mirza CBE; Farooq Hakim; Cllr Peter Jackson, Leader of Northumberland County Council; Cllr Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council; Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council; Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council; Cllr Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council; Norma Redfearn, Selected Mayor, North Tyneside Council; Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council; Professor Andrew Wathey and Karen Redhead.