Northern Business Forum appoints new chairman
14/11/2007
A prominent figure in the North East business community has been chosen to lead the Northern Business Forum
The Northern Business Forum (NBF) has appointed John Cuthbert, managing director of Northumbrian Water, as its Chair. John who has served on the NBF board for almost five years takes over from Alistair Arkley who has chaired the forum since 2003.
James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce who are members of the NBF said: “We are delighted that John has been appointed to chair the NBF. His business acumen and leadership skills will be of great benefit to the forum and its members” NBF board member Meryl Dodd, who chairs Service Network added: "With John’s background and wide-ranging business expertise, we are in no doubt that John will take the forum from strength to strength and we look forward to working with him”
Alan Hall, director of EEF Northern said: "The Northern Business Forum needed someone who was committed to the North East, someone at the heart of the business community and John fits this role perfectly” John has spent most of his career in the north east and has been managing director of Northumbrian Water for six years. A former board member of One North East, John has also, through his chairmanship of the Regional Skills Partnership, dedicated considerable time to working on the skills agenda in the region. He is also vice chairman of Durham University Council and is deputy lieutenant of County Durham.
John said "I am delighted to have this opportunity to chair the Northern Business Forum and look forward to working even more closely with our leading business organisations. NBF brings together key business people on a regular basis to stimulate dialogue and debate.
“It is a very effective forum in which to communicate, exchange views, pool information and formulate a broad business position on issues affecting business here in the region. NBF plays an important role in engaging and influencing the regional agencies to make the North East a better place for business.
"I am particularly keen to help bring the private and public sectors work more closely together for the benefit of all.
"My priority will be to do everything I can to ensure that the North East prospers, that the voice of business is heard and that business plays its part in making the north east a great place to live and work. I am really looking forward to this role which I am sure will be both exciting and challenging.
John Wright, national chairman of the FSB said: “The board were unanimous in their decision to appoint John as chairman. He is a strong advocate for this region, he is actively involved in the skills agenda and he is passionate about making the North East economy stronger and more vibrant. He will be a tremendous asset to the Northern Business Forum and its members”
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Editors Note: John Cuthbert joined the water industry in 1991 and became managing director of North East Water in 1991 before moving to sister company Essex and Suffolk Water as managing director in 1996. Before joining the water industry John qualified as a chartered accountant and subsequently worked in the retail and process sectors. He has an MBA from Durham University Business School.
Media contact:
Sheila Chapman, Co-ordinator, Northern Business Forum on: 07732 827 486 e-mail sheila.chapman@necc.co.uk