A leading business membership organisation in the North East has made a significant appointment, following the retirement of its respected chief executive.
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has appointed Jonathan Lamb as its new chief executive, who will officially take over from Gillian Marshall during the summer.
Gillian has led the organisation since 2014, having previously enjoyed a successful career in business development and finance. Over the last five years in the role, she has helped to grow the Forum’s membership, engage with new corporate partners and enhance entrepreneurs’ standing at the heart of the North East’s growth agenda.
Jonathan joins the Entrepreneurs’ Forum following a career spanning more than 20 years in marketing and business strategy. He established strategy consulting company Spurr in 2016, which works with and advises a diverse range of companies and business leaders.
He is also a grant panel member on the Tees Valley Combined Authority and was previously the executive director of business development at BE Group.
Jonathan Lamb said: “I am delighted to have taken up this position at an exciting time for the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. I am passionate about the North East and supporting businesses to be the best they can be, which I hope to reflect in my role as chief executive across our membership.
“The organisation is a fantastic platform for entrepreneurs and business leaders from various sectors, and I hope to build on its wide-ranging network to support North East business further, continue the growth of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and, above all, champion the region’s business and enterprising prowess.
Gillian Marshall said: “It has been a privilege to serve our members in what has been a thoroughly rewarding role. The region is home to many thriving and entrepreneurial businesses, many of which form part of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. These are the companies investing in their people, creating valuable jobs in the North East and making it a great place to work and do business in.
“Over the past five years as chief executive, I have met so many incredible people and worked alongside an excellent team who have been incredibly supportive and made the role even more enjoyable.
“It has been an honour to represent the Forum and its membership which is made up of the region’s most ambitious entrepreneurial businesses. These are the companies investing in their people, creating valuable jobs in the North East, and making it a great place to work and do business in.
“Jonathan’s experience, combined with his passion for supporting business growth in the region, made him an outstanding candidate for the position, and I wish him all the very best as the new CEO of the Forum.
James Robson MBE, Chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “Jonathan is a well-respected leader in the North East and his proven track record within the region’s business community made him an ideal choice for the role of CEO. I’m looking forward to working alongside him and the board to drive the Forum forward.
“It’s been a pleasure working with Gillian since becoming Chairman eighteen months ago; she has played a fundamental role in the development of the Forum and in supporting our entrepreneurial members to become a focal part in the North East’s growth agenda. I’d like to wish her all the very best in a well-deserved retirement.
The Entrepreneurs’ Forum represents more than 300 individual member companies, which have a combined turnover of more than £2.3 billion and in excess of 25,000 employees.
