Executive Team

The Executive Team head up the different departments within the organisation. Together they develop strategic plans that support the overall business objectives.

Jo Boaden

Jo joined BE-NE as Director of information in 2007. Her work covers policy, performance, information and joint working with Local Authorities and others. Prior to working at BE-NE Jo was Chief Executive of the North East Assembly (NEA) and managed the Newcastle Gateshead multimillion pound housing market renewal regeneration project.

Nicki Clark

Nicki is Assistant Chief Executive with responsibility for BE-NE’s Operations function, and leads on the development and implementation of new key initiatives. Her previous experience has been in International Sales and Marketing in the Soft Drinks sector, Export and Brand Manager for a manufacturing business operating in the FMCG sector, New Product Development, Retail Banking and general Business Development.

Robert Cornall

With over 22 years experience in the finance sector, Robert was appointed as the Director of Corporate Services at Business & Enterprise North East in September 2008. His role involves overseeing the North East Investment Centre, IT, Finance, Facilities and Business Systems. Robert began his career as an accountant and has previously worked at Croydon and Durham County Council.

Jonathan Lamb

Jonathan took up the post of Director of Marketing in 2007 and has a wealth of knowledge in developing products and services to support the needs of businesses in the region. Previously he helped establish Business Link Tees Valley in 2000. Jonathan has also worked in Product Management for a pharmaceutical company and ran a restaurant in Hong Kong after graduating from Oxford Brookes University.

Alastair MacColl

Before joining Business & Enterprise North East, Alastair worked in newspapers and media-related businesses across the UK for almost twenty years, leading publishing businesses for Trinity Mirror plc and the Daily Mail and General Trust Group. Alastair is Deputy Chair of Teesside University Board of Governors, Chair of Teesside Business School Advisory Council and a member of the Leadership Board of Tees Valley Unlimited.

Louise Shillinglaw

Louise was appointed as Director of HR in 2007 and is responsible for ensuring the company has an innovative, engaging and business focused people strategy that fully supports the achievement of organisational goals. She provides strategic leadership to the Executive team on all people related matters and leads the HR Services and Learning and Development teams. Louise has a wealth of experience from a number of public and private sector organisations, including Newcastle College as Head of HR and Organisational Development, and Orange Communications.