Lifetime Achievement Award

Nov 26 2009 By The Journal

Sponsored by Allied Irish Bank (GB)

Margaret Fay - chairman of One North East

MARGARET Fay has been an exemplary chairman of One North East and will be a very difficult act to follow when she retires next year.

She has done such a good job that even though she was due to leave this year Mrs Fay was asked to stay an extra year by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to help steer the regional development agency through the recession.

Mrs Fay said the highlights of her six-year stint include the securing of 100 jobs for the region with the relocation of the Maersk shipping line from Canary Wharf to the Quayside.

But she also says that she found most satisfaction from some of the smaller tasks – describing as "phenomenal" the feeling she got from a project to bring power to Kielder Village.

And with some suggestions that an incoming Conservative Government may abolish RDAs, Mrs Fay says she will join the fight for One North East’s future.

Mrs Fay, who was appointed ONE chairman in 2003 and reappointed in 2006, said: "When the recession hit Lord Mandelson asked me to stay on for an extra year or until the appointment had been made.

"Next year is going to be fascinating with the general election and I will continue to support One North East and fight for the services it provides. I genuinely believe that economic development needs to be done on a regional level."

Mrs Fay spent 22 years at Tyne Tees Television, starting in the accounts department and working her way to the top. After leaving accounts she moved into her first managerial role in facilities management where she had responsibility for Tyne Tees' premises and services.

Her next promotion was into production where she held various operational management positions before her appointment to the board as director of operations following the takeover in 1992 by Yorkshire Television.

Following a further takeover in 1997 by Granada she was appointed managing director, which she held until she took early retirement in December 2003 in order to take up her current post.

Margaret is recognised at ONE for her open and direct style and her ability to deliver against objectives.

In 2007 she played a key role on behalf of the RDA network as its chair of chairs, which involved leading discussions with senior Government Ministers and officials about national economic development issues.

She is currently a member of the Regional Economic Council (REC), which was established by the prime minister in November 2008 to ensure that the issues and concerns of each region are heard and acted upon across Government.

She was awarded the OBE for services to broadcasting in 2004 and in the same year she received an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Sunderland University for her services to Broadcasting, Business and Regional Life.

She also received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Teesside in November 2008 and in June 2005, Margaret was appointed the Prince of Wales Ambassador for the North East of England.

Paul Callaghan, founder and chairman of Sunderland technology firm Leighton, and ONE board member, said: "Margaret has been an exemplary chairman, she is very experienced and can manage a board on a diverse range of interests. "She is extremely well-informed, a great communicator and can present very well. She will be a great miss."

Mr Callaghan believes the leadership shown by Ms Fay will stand the region in good stead for years to come and leave a legacy for future generations.

He added: "Margaret has identified the possibilities of electric vehicle manufacturing and of new, and renewable, energy and has positioned the North East very much at the forefront of developments in these industries."

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