About Us

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.

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

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.

Brian Jobling is the CEO of Eutechnyx, one of the world's leading independent video game developers.  A hobbyist programmer in his teens, Brian founded the company as Zeppelin Games Limited in Gateshead in 1987.

Brian has built Eutechnyx into a highly respected and successful international business, operating in a competitive global market.  As well as its headquarters in Gateshead, the company has studios in mainland China, Hong Kong and in Charlotte, USA, employing more than 180 people worldwide.

Alastair Waite is Director of Oynx Group, specialists in business continuity and IT and business systems disaster recovery. Based in Stockton with data centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, and North and South Yorkshire, the group employs 120 people and is one of the fastest growing companies in the UK according to the 2012 Investec Hot 100 list.

John Waterworth is Chief Executive of Parkdean Holidays, one of the UK's biggest providers of holiday homes including caravans, lodges and apartments within 24 award-winning holiday parks across the country.

The company was formed in November 1999 with the acquisition of Trecco Bay Holiday Park in South Wales, the UK's largest caravan park, and has grown significantly via acquisition to 24 parks, playing a key role in the consolidation of a highly fragmented sector.

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.

Lisa Hart Shepherd is the CEO of Newcastle-based Acritas, a leading provider of specialist research programmes to the legal industry across the world.

Among the services it provides is Sharplegal, the world's most comprehensive study of the global legal market, as well as custom research programmes.

Prior to launching Acritas in 2002, Lisa completed a mathematics and management degree. She learned the science of research at market research agency Buckingham Research Associates before joining the law firm Denton Wilde Sapte where she set up a business analysis team. In 2000, she joined FTSE 100 Sage Group plc as a business analyst.

Graham is the Senior Partner at Recognition Marketing and Public Relations, the Darlington-based company he founded in 1990. Graham has worked in PR since 1988 and has been involved in more than 500 PR, media and marketing projects featuring leading national figures in the world of sport, entertainment and politics.