Sunderland Business Network - Committee Member List

Following over 20 years as a sales and marketing professional Heather established her own company marketing geni in 2010. Her experience includes 16 years working in the recruitment industry for national market leader Brook Street progressing from Consultant to Divisional Manager and then establishing her own recruitment business.

Email: heatherbaxter@ge-ni.com
Company: marketing geni

Paul runs Pulse Creative Marketing with the aim of bringing practical marketing support to businesses of all sizes. With a marketing background and vast experience of providing marketing consultancy and coaching to businesses of all sizes, he is passionate about helping businesses implement effective marketing solutions. Paul has also developed ‘Marketing Magic’ – a unique marketing seminar that has helped open the doors to successful marketing for hundreds of entrepreneurs and businesses. Paul is looking forward to helping develop the services of Sunderland Business Network with the other board members.”

Tel: 0191 516 6016
Email: paul@pulsecreativemarketing.co.uk
Company: Pulse Creative Marketing

After gaining 7 valuable years experience in many different business environments Susan attended Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh from 1994 - studying for a Degree in Accountancy and Finance. Upon completion of her studies Susan returned back to the North East and worked with her family in an established electronic manufacturing company. In 2003 Susan joined Edensure Limited which was a new company set up by the two directors to offer petrol retailers a technological solution to potential fuel stock losses and leaks. There her position progressed up to Quality Manager within the company and in December 2005 instigated ISO9001:2000 certification and by May 2006 had successfully passed the external audit. S M Consultancy Services was setup to fulfil a long standing ambition of running her own business in the summer of 2007 and offers IT Training specialising in Sage Accountancy Software Bespoke training. The business has experienced rapid growth and from only 2 clients at start-up the client numbers have increased dramatically. During last year the company recruited a member of staff to assist with clients and have now branched out with the introduction of Red Sky Bookkeeping to run the accounting services side of the business. Susan is a member of the Institute of Business Consultants, a qualified Member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and holds a C&G Teaching Certificate.

Tel: 0191 516 6288
Email: susan@bluskytax.co.uk
Company: Blu Sky Chartered Accountants

Phillip Moir is a Solicitor in the Civil Litigation Department of Richard Reed. Richard Reed was established over 60 years ago and is located in Frederick Street in Sunderland City Centre. Richard Reed offers a comprehensive range of legal services to a wide range of clients from private individuals, local SME’s, sole traders and Multi-National companies. Richard Reed holds the Law Society’s Lexcel award for Excellence and is committed to being approachable and professional in providing first class legal advice. Phillip is looking forward to being a committee member of the Sunderland Business Network over the course of the next 12 months, and working with the other committee members to grow the Network. www.richardreed.co.uk

Tel: 0191 567 0465
Email: phillip.moir@richardreed.co.uk
Company: Richard Reed Solicitors

Margaret runs The Essential Virtual Assistant which provides secretarial and admin support to SMEs and busy individuals. Prior to setting up the business in 2007 Margaret had worked as a PA at executive level for over 20 years so has a wealth of experience to offer clients. “The inspiration behind the creation of The Essential Virtual Assistant came from a magazine article entitled “From PA to VA”, the timing of which was perfect as I was about to be made redundant”. “Virtual assistance is a growing business sector which could not exist without today’s technology, but getting people to understand the concept of having their work carried out by someone who isn’t actually there ‘in the flesh’ has been quite a challenge”. Margaret is very much looking forward to working alongside other members of the committee and hopes that she can help to move the network onwards and upwards over the next 12 months.

Tel: 0870 8 799007
Email: info@the-essential-va.co.uk
Company: The Essential VA

Andrew currently works in the Business Investment Team at Sunderland City Council, which aims to encourage and support local businesses to create new employment opportunities for the residents of the City. With a mix of both private and public sector experiences, he is well placed to understand the needs of small business and the support and assistance available to them. He has made a positive contribution towards many initiatives in economic regeneration and business support, in particular on areas such as business incubation, enterprise development and partnership working. Recent projects include the completion of the evolve business centre at Rainton Bridge, developing sub-regional partnerships to manage external funding, and developing enterprise projects as part of the Working Neighbourhoods Strategy in Sunderland. Andrew is passionate about the power of business networking and the many benefits it can bring, and is an enthusiastic champion of the Sunderland Business Network.

Tel: 0191 561 1451
Email: andrew.perkin@sunderland.gov.uk
Company: Sunderland City Council

Vince Robson is a Business Development Manager at the University of Sunderland. Since graduating in 1995 from the University Vince has worked in sales, marketing and management roles for a range of organisations including (amongst others) Reading College of Arts & Technology, Blue Arrow Personnel Services and Integra Training & Consulting. He is based within the University’s Business Partnerships team located within the Business Gateway on the City Campus. The Business Gateway provides the first point of contact for organisations looking for specialist university help and support to develop key areas of their business. Vince has engaged with the Network as a member for the past 12 months and is relishing the opportunity to work with committee colleagues and member companies to move the Sunderland Business Network on to the next level and increase the City’s economic prosperity.

Tel: 0191 515 3555
Email: vince.robson@sunderland.ac.uk
Company: University of Sunderland