Chamber chief executive to head North East business board
Date published:
The Chamber’s chief executive John McCabe has been appointed Chair of the North East Combined Authority’s (NECA) Business and Economy Board.
Working alongside North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, John will lead the new board, ensuring North East businesses are strongly represented as the combined authority pushes forward with plans to create jobs and attract investment.
John’s voluntary position signals a resetting of the relationship between politics, local government and business, ensuring opportunities around devolution are maximised to build a stronger, fairer North East. John will head up the board with Emily Cox of Lloyds Banking Group as Vice-Chair.
John said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed Chair of the North East Combined Authority Business and Economy Board. This is a responsibility I will take on, independent of my role as Chamber chief executive. I’m looking forward to working with the Mayor, local authority leaders, and their teams to ensure the huge benefits of devolution are felt by people and businesses across our region.
“As the Mayor has rightly said, we want to establish the North East as the region of real opportunity, where there is no limit on ambition and where businesses of all sizes and sectors can thrive.
“To realise this potential, leaders in every sector of our economy all need to lean in and put our shoulders to the wheel. I’m very well aware of the urgency and scale of the issues this region faces but we also have incredible opportunities before us. Now is the time to act differently and think bigger, to reset the relationship between politics, local government, and business. That’s how we’ll deliver for the North East.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this team effort and want businesses and investors across the region to know, we have your back.”
John added: “As leader of a Chamber of Commerce representing the North East and Tees Valley Combined Authority areas, I want to ensure the benefits of devolution are felt by business all across our great region.”
Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “We are thrilled to have appointed John McCabe as Chair of our Business and Economy Board and Emily Cox as Vice-Chair.
“This is an exciting time for North East businesses as we harness the power of devolution to support regional businesses, drive forward investment, and stimulate the local economy. The message is clear – the North East means business.
“I’m looking forward to working with John and Emily, and the Business and Economy Board to harness the experiences of businesses in the region to deliver tactical, targeted support and investment that will boost growth and opportunities for business in our amazing region.”
Emily Cox, Group Ambassador for the North and Director of Colleague Relations at Lloyds Banking Group, brings invaluable experience to her new role as Vice-Chair, helping to strengthen business engagement and support economic growth across the region.
Emily added: “Whilst the global outlook remains uncertain, there are grounds for optimism in the North East. The fundamentals we need to deliver growth are all here. We have world-leading universities, outstanding further educational colleges, entrepreneurial spirit, and above all great people. We are attracted to private capital that can help us build an ambitious, growth economy that can spread prosperity to all parts of our great region.
“The North East is a great place to live and work. I am looking forward to working with the Mayor and the rest of the Board to help deliver a growth economy.”
In early December, NECA, covering the area from Northumberland to Durham, began a recruitment process for a chair for its new Business and Economy Board. The board has a strong advisory role, intending to help the Cabinet and the authority understand the needs of the business and employer community.
To watch Tuesday’s NECA Cabinet meeting, which saw Mayor Kim McGuinness formally announce John’s appointment, click here.