One of the region’s most highly-respected lawyers, John Marshall, has been appointed Chair of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, the public-private partnership that delivers economic growth for NewcastleGateshead and wider region through its work to attract visitors, major events, conferences and inward investment to the area.
With a 28-year career based in Newcastle, John retired from Bond Dickinson LLP at the end of June, where he most recently served as vice chairman. The national law firm has offices from Aberdeen to Plymouth, with its largest sites in Newcastle, Bristol and London. It also has strategic alliances in Germany, France and the USA.
John brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within the regional business community to the role (see notes to editors for full biography), and has served on the NewcastleGateshead Initiative board for six years. He served until his retirement as Regional Council Member for the CBI, and is currently Council Member of the North East England Chamber of Commerce and sits on the International Advisory Board of Newcastle University Business School.
Taking over from Paul Callaghan CBE, John was selected by NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s Board, which is made up of representatives from both Gateshead and Newcastle Council and a cross-section of individuals from the organisation’s private sector partnership base.
Speaking about his appointment, John said: “I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed a great career here and am passionately committed to seeing the region continue to grow and prosper. With uncertainty around the consequences of Brexit, it is all the more important that this area looks outwards, profiling its unique and distinctive features to a wide range of international and national audiences.
“The strength of NewcastleGateshead Initiative in collaborating with partners to change perceptions and promote the breadth of what this area has to offer brings about direct benefits for all of us in this region. It is an honour to be offered this role. I will work tirelessly to support the amazing team we have here to achieve further success and I would like to thank Paul Callaghan for his support and determination over the last three years as Chair. ”
Paul Callaghan CBE, said: “I have enjoyed a fantastic three years as Chair and am grateful for the opportunity to have played a role in the transformational work delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative. The organisation is looking ahead to an exciting three years, which will see the team work with partners across the region to deliver a host of exciting projects, not least the recently secured Great Exhibition of the North in 2018 and World Transplant Games in 2019. I wish John, the Board and wider organisation every success in continuing to deliver an impressive portfolio of work, which is of such significant benefit to NewcastleGateshead and wider North East.”
NewcastleGateshead Initiative, which is funded by Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council and 175 private sector partners from across the region, was founded 15 years ago. The organisation has been instrumental in growing the visitor economy, which is currently worth £1.42bn and supports more than 19,000 jobs in the local area. Its mission is to inspire people to visit and to live, learn, work and invest in and around NewcastleGateshead.
Martin Gannon, leader of Gateshead Council, said: “NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s success and strength comes as a direct result of its diverse partnership and the mixed experience supplied by its Board. John has been a proactive and passionate member of that board. He is the perfect person to step into the role of chair and to develop the ambitious work delivered by the team at NewcastleGateshead Initiative”.
Nick Forbes leader of Newcastle Council, said: “John plays a key role in our local business community and I look forward to working with him.
“John takes over at a time when Newcastle and Gateshead are once again preparing for national and global attention, with both the huge potential of the Great Exhibition of the North or the global spotlight of the World Transplant Games and I know NGI will benefit immensely from John’s knowledge and understanding. Tourism is a great driver of our region’s economy and John will play a key role in this.
“I would also like to thank Paul Callaghan for all his hard work in helping make Newcastle and Gateshead one of the nation’s top tourist destinations.”
Paul Callaghan CBE will officially hand over to John Marshall at NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s AGM on 01 December 2016.
Ends.
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