North Tyneside Business Forum has announced that its Chair Karen Goldfinch, and Vice Chair Andrew Esson, have stepped down at the end of a three-year term serving the business community.
Heading up the Forum with their expertise in the business sector, Karen and Andrew have raised the profile of the North Tyneside Business Forum locally, regionally, and nationally, increasing engagement of the local business community.
The two voluntary roles have involved offering strategic direction, leading the Forum Management Group to support Forum members, working with partner organisations, sitting on numerous boards and committees, and coordinating events.
Karen, who previously served as Vice Chair for three years, has been a member of the Management Group since the Forum was founded in 2010. Her experience in business spans almost 40 years, having previously been Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade Chair and owning retail outlets in the town. She currently owns two businesses, bespoke wedding stationery and events management firm Made to Treasure Events and business consultancy Karen Goldfinch – Your Business Pilot.
Vice Chair, Andrew Esson, a semi-retired chartered engineer, offers non-executive, advisory and consultancy services with a focus on business transformation and operational improvement.
During the pair’s tenure, the Forum has seen membership grow from 1,100 members to almost 2000, member profiles have been raised with increased media coverage and a significant rise in peer-to-peer support and partnership engagement. The Forum has previously been awarded the Spirit of North Tyneside award for ‘outstanding contribution to North Tyneside’.
Karen, as well as concentrating on her businesses is looking forward to her next challenge: “I’ve gained a lot of valuable experience and now is the time to open another chapter in my career and move on to help another organisation, when the right opportunity comes along,” she said.