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CHI ONWURAH: Labour MP for Newcastle Central
First elected in 2010, Ms Onwurah is Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Digital. She grew up in Kenton, Newcastle and went on to have a career in engineering and telecoms before moving into politics. She is a presidency member of the Party of European Socialists, and a fellow of both the Institution of Engineering & Technology and the City & Guilds of London Institute, as well as an honorary fellow of the British Science Association.
GUY OPPERMAN: Conservative MP for Hexham
Mr Opperman has represented Hexham in Parliament since 2010, and has been the Pensions Minister since 2017. He was previously a Government Whip. He got involved in politics whilst leading a campaign to save a local hospital, which he credited with saving his mother’s life from cancer. His political interests include Northumberland, ethical and sustainable investment, prison reform, health, fuel poverty, tourism, and apprenticeships.
KATE OSBORNE: MP for Jarrow
Ms Osborne entered Parliament in 2019 after winning the Jarrow constituency with a majority of more than 7,000. Previously a North Tyneside councillor who used to work for the Royal Mail, she is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group and has been active in the trade union and LGBT+ communities. She sits on the Women and Equalities Committee in the Commons.
BRIAN PALMER: CEO, Tharsus
Mr Palmer has led Northumberland company Tharsus to become a major player in the world of robotics, and North East Company of the Year in 2019. He is on the board of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, and is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
TONY PARKINSON; Chief executive, Middlesbrough Council
Mr Parkinson has worked in local government in Middlesbrough for over 30 years, starting as an apprentice finance technician in 1990 and becoming chief executive in 2016. He has overseen a transformation programme that has saved £100m since 2013 and also spearheaded a programme that has brought significant inward investment to Middlesbrough.
JANE PERCY, DUCHESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND: Businesswoman
The Duchess has overseen the restoration of Alnwick Castle and oversees the ongoing development of The Alnwick Garden. She became the first female Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland in 2009, and is patron or president of more than 100 charities. She was awarded The Variety Club Silver Heart, its highest accolade, for her services to charity and disabled and disadvantaged children in the North East.
RALPH PERCY, 12TH DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND: Landowner
The Duke inherited the title in 1995. As well as management of the more traditional estate businesses of agriculture, forestry and minerals, the Duke has overseen expansion of the portfolio to include planning and development and commercial property at home and abroad. The size and diversity of the Northumberland Estates’ business make it a major employer and contributor tothe local economy.
LEE PERKINS: Chief operating officer, Sage
Mr Perkins returned for a second spell at Sage in 2018, having previously headed its UK and Ireland operations. In between times he was CEO at Metronet UK and has previously had leadership roles at Tech Data and Computacenter.
BRIDGET PHILLIPSON: Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South
Ms Phillipson was first elected to Parliament in 2010, with her seat often the first to be declared in the UK. Before her career in politics, she had read modern history at Oxford University and managed a women’s refuge in her native Sunderland. She was promoted to the Shadow Cabinet when Sir Keir Starmer took over the Labour leadership, and is Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
ABIGAIL POGSON: Managing director, Sage Gateshead
Ms Pogson has worked for English National Opera, Music Theatre Wales and the Society for the Promotion of New Music before taking charge of the Sage in 2014. As with all cultural executives, she has this year been battling the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, with the Sage securing a £1.8m rescue package from the Government at the end of October.
ANDY PRESTON: Mayor, Middlesbrough
Mr Preston was elected mayor of Middlesbrough in 2019 after returning to the North East following a successful career in fund management. In 2010 he founded the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation and followed this by establishing national charity CEO Sleepout. He has prioritised rejuvenating the town’s economy and has been outspoken about the need to support people and businesses through the coronavirus lockdown.
GEORGE RAFFERTY; Chief executive, NOF Energy
Mr Rafferty leads NOF, the national business development organisation for the oil, gas, offshore renewables and power sectors, based in the North East. He was also a driving force behind the creation of Energi Coast, which promotes the North East’s integrated supply chain for offshore renewables, and Subsea North East, the advocacy group for the region’s subsea industry.
JAMES RAMSBOTHAM: Chief executive, North East England Chamber of Commerce
Before becoming the Chamber’s chief executive, Mr Ramsbotham spent 14 years in corporate banking with Barclays and had 12 years as a soldier in the Royal Green Jackets. He is Honorary Colonel for The Rifles, trustee for The Foundation of Light (SAFC) and a Deputy Lieutenant for County Durham. He was awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2019 for services to the economy and business in the North East.
SHEENA RAMSEY: Chief executive, Gateshead Council
Ms Ramsey joined Gateshead in February 2017 from Worcester City Council. Although originally from Northumberland, she spent 12 years working outside the region, which also included a decade as chief executive at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council. Ms Ramsey is clerk to the Tyne and Wear Lieutenancy, lead chief executive for transport across the LA7 and is a member of the NewcastleGateshead Initiative board.
NORMA REDFEARN: Elected Mayor, North Tyneside
Ms Redfearn has been mayor of North Tyneside since 2013 and will be looking to win a third term of office next year. She is a member of the North East LEP board as well as deputy mayor for the North of Tyne Combined Authority. She was instrumental in establishing the North of Tyne devolution deal and has overseen the regeneration of the Spanish City area in Whitley Bay. She was awarded a CBE in 2018.
VISCOUNT RIDLEY: Scientist, author and journalist
Viscount Ridley is owner of the Blagdon estate in Northumberland, and was instrumental in the creation of the Northumberlandia sculpture near Cramlington. He is a popular writer on science and economics who has published a number of successful books and writes in The Times and the Wall Street Journal. He joined the House of Lords in 2013 and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
PAT RITCHIE: Chief executive, Newcastle City Council
Ms Ritchie joined the council as chief executive in 2013 and played a leading role in securing the multimillion-pound investment deal to bring Legal and General to Newcastle’s flagship Helix city quarter. She led on negotiations with the Government for the North of Tyne devolution deal and has been at the forefront of the region’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. She was appointed earlier this year tochair the Government Property Agency.
GRAHAM ROBB: Founder, Recognition PR
Mr Robb set-up Recognition PR in 1990 and the company boasts a diverse portfolio of clients. He has been involved with a number of influential organisations, including the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and is a member of the national council of the Institute of Directors. He sits as a board member on both the Tees Valley LEP and South Tees Development Corporation. He is aprominent voice within the Conservative Party locally and nationally.
JANE ROBINSON: Dean of engagement and place, Newcastle University
Ms Robinson is the university’s first dean of engagement and place, having previously been chief executive of Gateshead Council and chief operating officer at Durham University. She started her career working in the museums and arts sector, and was recently appointed co-chair of Culture North East. She represents the North East LEP area’s four universities on the North East Covid-19 Economic Response Group.
JONATHAN RUFFER: Chairman, Auckland Castle Trust
One of the UK’s leading philanthropists, Mr Ruffer bought Auckland Castle and the Zurbaran paintings which hang there for £25m in 2012. He set up the Auckland Project, which is overseeing the £70m revitalisation of both the castle and the reinvigoration of Bishop Auckland.
