About Us

I am delighted with the impact the Forum is having within the region. It gives established entrepreneurs a chance to exchange views and newer members real access to the "been there done that" brigade. The tangible benefit of an organisation like this is to celebrate, encourage and develop the entrepreneurial culture of the North East

You can't beat hearing from world class business leaders, whether they're national figures or North East success stories. Sharing their advice, passion and knowledge and mixing with fellow entrepreneurs is tremendously inspiring, whether you're well established or you're just starting out. Looking at how others do it and having the chance to pick their brains, even if they work in a different sector, provides a unique insight I certainly wouldn't get anywhere else. Certainly there wasn't anything like the Forum around when I was starting out, but I really think that together we can make this region stronger.

I spent 15 years running a business in London before coming home. Boy, it's better here. The people are as open and supportive as ever, but there's a new energy and self-confidence around too. It's an ideal breeding ground for entrepreneurs - you supply the encouragement and advice, we'll bring the determination and vision. The Entrepreneurs' Forum embodies that new North-East mix: old strengths, with new dreams. It's a brilliant concept and I'm honoured to be part of it.

Deep down I had always felt that I could run my own business, but working in Edinburgh felt like an old boys network. If you weren't over 40 and had gone to Fettes (a private school for boys) then you didn't stand a chance. I am not 40 and certainly not posh! Luckily for me, being back in the North East there were no restrictions whatsoever. The world was truly my oyster. But when I first started out I remember feeling very isolated; stuck for someone to ask the most obvious of questions to. I didn't know whether the questions I had were the sort of issues others had. Now I know that a problem shared is always a problem halved! The Forum is an oasis for any entrepreneur to ask any question and find the answers from people who have been there and got the T-shirt. I find its members an inspiration and they really embody a sharing, can-do mentality.

The Entrepreneurs' Forum is a fantastic support network and arena for the exchange of ideas that I wish was around when I started out all those years ago. We all need support and advice from friends and mentors and the Forum provides a great environment for this. Nurturing our numerous, passionate and dynamic young entrepreneurs is vital to the success of the region and I'm delighted to be involved in such a forward-thinking, innovative set-up.

If an economy is booming at a regional level, then the opportunities to improve facilities and generally improve the benefits for everybody are more prevalent. That benefits everybody in that region, whether they are in business or not.

I had found it very difficult to meet local business people or to share ideas and experiences because we are all so busy running our own businesses. The Entrepreneurs' Fourm has given me that opportunity to listen to other people's success and to pick up tips and encouragement to continue growing the business.

The best tip we would offer to any budding entrepreneur is to carefully consider all the well-intentioned advice you are given and then ignore most of it. Keep your nerve, surround yourself with good people and, most importantly, hold the dream. It works.

You find that with other members of the Entrepreneurs' Forum you can discuss confidential issues openly with like-minded business people and get genuine responses. It is also good to understand the issues that other businesses are facing and how they deal with some of their opportunities and problems.

None of us got where we are today by ourselves. We've all needed mentors, friends and advisors to achieve our current success and will continue to learn as we continue to grow.

The Entrepreneurs' Forum is an integral part of the North-East business community but is in no way typical of a business support organisation. It's so important for the future of our region that we continue to foster entrepreneurship, encourage people to start and develop businesses and to retain our best talent - that is what the Forum aims to achieve.