Water company boss takes chair at business forum
Nov 15 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal
A PROMINENT figure in the North- East business community has been chosen to replace Alistair Arkley as the head of the Northern Business Forum.
John Cuthbert, managing director of Northumbrian Water, will take over as chairman from Mr Arkley, who has chaired the forum since 2003.
A former board member of One NorthEast, Mr Cuthbert has also, through his chairmanship of the Regional Skills Partnership, dedicated time to working on the skills agenda in the region. He said: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to chair the Northern Business Forum and look forward to working even more closely with our leading business organisations.
“NBF brings together key business people on a regular basis to stimulate dialogue and debate.
“It is a very effective forum in which to communicate, exchange views, pool information and formulate a broad business position on issues affecting business here in the region.”
Mr Cuthbert, who has served on the NBF board for almost five years, is also vice-chairman of Durham University Council and is deputy lieutenant of County Durham.
James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North-East Chamber of Commerce, members of the NBF, said: “We are delighted that John has been appointed to chair the NBF. His business acumen and leadership skills will be of great benefit to the forum and its members.”
NBF board member Meryl Dodd added: “With John’s background and wide-ranging business expertise, we are in no doubt that he will take the forum from strength to strength and we look forward to working with him.” Alan Hall, director of EEF Northern, said: “The Northern Business Forum needed someone who was committed to the North-East, someone at the heart of the business community and John fits this role perfectly.”
Mr Cuthbert has spent most of his career in the North-East and has been managing director of Northumbrian Water for six years.
The NBF plays an important role in engaging and influencing the regional agencies to make the North-East a better place for business.
