Business Link has new leading light
Apr 8 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
THE founder of one of the region’s leading manufac- turing companies has been unveiled as the new chairman of Business Link North East (BLNE).
Later this month Roy Stanley of The Tanfield Group will officially replace Paul Callaghan at the helm of the business support organisation.
Alastair MacColl, chief executive of BLNE, said: “Paul was always going to be a hard act to follow. However, we have found a new chairman who underlines the scale of our ambition.
“Roy possesses a formidable business pedigree along with the energy and vision required to make the North East the best place in Europe to start or grow a business. This is great news for Business Link North East and for the region.”
Mr Stanley, who founded the Washington based Tanfield Group in 1996, has built the company into a global leader in the manufacture of commercial electric vehicles.
It trades under the Smith Electric Vehicles and UpRight Powered Access brands, with the latter being the UK’s biggest manufacturer of self-propelled aerial work platforms.
He said: “Under the leadership of Paul Callaghan, the board of Business Link North East has laid an excellent foundation for the future. I am excited by the prospect of being part of a team that aims to create the most enterprising region in Europe.”
Mr Callaghan, chairman of Leighton Group, has played a vital role in establishing BLNE as a single regional support service for current and potential entrepreneurs.
His involvement with Business Link stretches back over five years – he was initially a board member and then chairman of Business Link Tyne and Wear.
In 2005 he was asked to chair the coalition that won the contract to transform business support in the region, leading to the formation of BLNE. Since 2006 he has chaired the organisation.
He said: “I am delighted that Roy Stanley will be succeeding me at Business Link. His success with The Tanfield Group and his other ventures show he is a fantastic entrepreneur.
“As a role model for aspiring business people in this region Roy is second to none. I am sure that he will prove to be an exceptionally able and charismatic leader for the next phase of Business Link North East’s growth.”
Margaret Fay, One NorthEast chairman, said: “Roy brings with him a wealth of hands-on business expertise and experience which will be invaluable in leading what is now one of the UK’s largest business support organisations.
“We very much look forward to working with Roy during what continues to be an exciting time for business support services in the region.”
