Andrew Batterbee

Area Director

Cities & Local Growth, Yorkshire and Humber & the North East
Government’s Local Growth Team – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Communities and Local Government

Andrew Battarbee works in the Government’s Cities and Local Growth Unit, as Area Director for Yorkshire, Humber and the North East.  His team works with a wide range of partners to support inclusive growth across these regions.  Prior to taking on this role Andrew was responsible for adult skills strategy and funding in BIS.  He has been based in Sheffield since 2000.

Sir David Bell KCB

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland

Sir David Bell became the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland on 24 September 2018.
Sir David was born in Glasgow in March 1959. Educated at a comprehensive school, he took degrees at the University of Glasgow and obtained his PGCE from Jordanhill College of Education.
In a career spanning over 37 years, Sir David has held a number of major posts across the education system. Between 2012 and 2018, he was Vice-Chancellor at the University of Reading. Previously, he was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education for six years, serving four Secretaries of State and three Prime Ministers. He also served as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools for nearly four years.
Sir David began his career as a primary school teacher and later became a head teacher. He was Director of Education and Libraries with Newcastle City Council and Chief Executive of Bedfordshire County Council. He was a Harkness Fellow based in Atlanta, Georgia for a year.
Between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2019, Sir David is Vice President England and Northern Ireland for Universities UK (UUK) as well as a member of the UUK board.
Sir David, who was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 2011, is married and has two adult daughters.

Estelle Blanks

Executive Director, Innovation SuperNetwork

With over 20 years’ experience in economic development through regeneration and innovation in the North East of England and working across the UK and in Europe, Estelle has a thorough understanding of the national and local innovation eco-system, has influenced innovation programmes and attracted funding to support early stage and growing companies. Since November 2017, Estelle has led the successful Women in Innovation programme aimed to support business growth by addressing barriers linked to unconscious bias and lack of diversity. Prior to joining, the Innovation SuperNetwork, Estelle was the Deputy Director of Newcastle Science City working on large scale programmes aimed to develop high-growth companies. Estelle also ran transnational projects aimed at training European incubators in supporting innovative companies and authored a number of research articles and work programmes on high-growth business coaching.

Professor Louise Bracken

Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Northumbria University

Professor Louise Bracken was appointed to the post of Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research in August 2021. Before joining Northumbria University Louise was the Deputy Vice Provost (Research) (DVPR) at Durham University.

Professor Bracken joined Durham University as a lecturer in 1999 following the award of her Geography BSc from Leeds University and her PhD from Birmingham University. During her 22 years at Durham University Louise gained promotion to Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor. In 2015 Louise was appointed as the Executive Director of the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR) and the Wilson Chair of Hazard, Risk and Resilience. IHRR is a world-leading institute that undertakes outstanding research and translates this into practice to improve the lives of people living with risk. As Executive Director of IHRR Louise secured over £3M of philanthropic donations to support research, established the Action on Natural Disasters Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), developed the GCRF CDT, secured five major funding awards and published an edited collection of papers to celebrate IHRR’s 10-year anniversary. Louise then secured the role of DVPR in 2019. As DVPR Louise supported the delivery of Durham University’s Research and Engagement Strategy and was the institutional lead for research culture.

Louise is an interdisciplinary researcher specialising in the science of fluvial geomorphology, flooding, and managing hazard and risk.  She applies her technical expertise to understanding flooding, communicating risk more effectively, managing land and water resources and supporting innovation in the water sector. She is experienced in conducting both physical and social science research including empirical field data collection of catchment processes, laboratory analysis of field samples (e.g. sediment analysis, water chemistry, geological analysis), participatory action research, interviews and focus groups. Louise has published over 80 articles, been principle and co-investigator on over £25M of research grants and has supervised over 25 postgraduate students to successful completion.

Toby Bridges

CEO of the NBT Group Ltd. Chair of The Exchange North Tyneside, Founding Director of Vytech Solutions Ltd.

An experienced company director, Toby has been CEO of the NBT Group Ltd since 2008. Growing the business from £3m to £14m in three years, this has seen the company attain the North East’s 50 fastest growing companies list 2018. As part of the role, Toby is also the founding director for Vytech Solutions Limited, a technology led business which started in 2014.
As a keen advocate of peer based learning, Toby mentors numerous businesses across the NE. He is a board member of North Tyneside Business Forum and is now a business partner to North Tyneside Council’s Mayor and Cabinet.

Andrew Cumiskey

Andrew Cumiskey currently chairs the North East Learning Provider network which represents over 40 training providers in the North East of England. Andrew is also the owner of ATC Training, an independent training provider based in Newcastle which specialises in train the trainer qualifications. Andrew is also a Trustee and Non-Executive Director of a specialist awarding organisation.

Andrew is passionate about training and development, he is keen to help grow skills in the local area, and promote the huge range of opportunities available to young people when choosing their next steps in learning when leaving school. Andrew has worked within the training sector for 15 years, leading national and international training departments and has previously worked in experience working for an independent apprenticeship provider. He also has subject matter expertise in the aviation training sector.

Reshma Begum

Skills Advisory Panel member

Reshma is the FSB Development Manager for the North East of England and the Tees Valley, working with volunteer members and staff teams, both locally and nationally, to deliver and manage FSB activity across the area to ensure local businesses are well supported and represented.

Reshma’s role includes lobbying and campaigning across the North East and Tees Valley on behalf of small businesses, working with local government, MPs, and other local stakeholders, as well as managing FSB’s local media activity, and delivering local events.

Rachel Anderson

Liz Bromley

Chief Executive, Newcastle College Group

Having worked in other senior roles in education – including at the University of Salford and Goldsmiths, University of London – Liz has also been a board member of the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education, the CBI North West and a governor and trustee of the Sir John Brunner Foundation, among many other non-executive roles.