Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive

North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC)

Sunderland | Salary circa £100,000

For more than 30 years, the North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC) has been helping businesses start, grow and thrive.

As one of the region's most respected social enterprises, the BIC has supported thousands of entrepreneurs, helped create countless jobs and built a reputation as a trusted partner to businesses, funders, local authorities and economic development organisations across the North East.

Today, with a strong balance sheet, a highly regarded brand, an experienced team and ambitious plans for growth, we are seeking an exceptional leader to become our next Chief Executive.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation that combines genuine social purpose with commercial ambition.

Reporting to the Board and working closely with a highly experienced Chair and Non-Executive Directors, you will provide strategic leadership across a diverse organisation encompassing enterprise support, innovation programmes, commercial workspace, property assets, digital services and publicly funded projects.

You will shape and deliver the next phase of the BIC's growth, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable, commercially progressive and deeply connected to the needs of businesses and communities across the North East.

You will lead strategic planning, organisational performance, stakeholder engagement, governance, financial management and business development while acting as one of the region's leading ambassadors for entrepreneurship and economic growth.

The Role

The Chief Executive is responsible for the overall leadership, performance and future direction of the North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC), one of the region's most established and respected business support organisations.

Reporting directly to the Board and working closely with an experienced Chair and Non-Executive Directors, the successful candidate will lead a diverse and multifaceted organisation that combines commercial property, enterprise support, innovation programmes, digital services and publicly funded economic development initiatives.

This is a highly visible leadership role operating at the heart of the North East business community. The Chief Executive will work across local, regional and national networks, representing the organisation with government bodies, combined authorities, local authorities, investors, business leaders, funding partners and entrepreneurs.

The role combines strategic leadership, commercial management and external influence in equal measure.

You will be responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation's strategic vision, ensuring the BIC continues to evolve and remain relevant within a rapidly changing economic and technological landscape. Working with the Board, you will identify new opportunities for growth, diversification and innovation while maintaining the organisation's strong financial foundations and commitment to social impact.

The Chief Executive will have responsibility for a substantial property portfolio, multiple business centres, enterprise support programmes, digital and innovation services, and a talented multidisciplinary team. You will oversee organisational performance, financial management, governance, risk, compliance and stakeholder engagement while ensuring the highest standards of service delivery and customer experience.

A key priority will be strengthening the balance between commercial income generation and social purpose. The BIC has a long-standing reputation for supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses across the North East.

The next Chief Executive will build on this legacy by identifying new revenue streams, developing strategic partnerships and ensuring the organisation remains financially resilient whilst continuing to deliver meaningful economic and social value.

The successful candidate will also play a leading role in the wider economic development agenda of the North East. Working closely with regional partners, you will help shape conversations around entrepreneurship, innovation, skills, investment and business growth at a time when the region is experiencing significant opportunities across advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital technology, AI and inward investment.

This is a role for a leader who enjoys operating at both strategic and operational levels. Someone who can inspire people internally, build influential relationships externally and bring together commercial discipline and social purpose to deliver long-term impact.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for an inspiring and commercially minded leader with the credibility to operate at Board level and the passion to make a lasting impact on the North East economy.

While previous Chief Executive or Managing Director experience would be welcomed, we are equally interested in hearing from exceptional leaders who are ready to step into their first MD or CEO role.

• You may currently be a Managing Director, Chief Executive or Regional Director seeking a broader platform for impact. Or indeed a Finance Director, Marketing, Business Development Professional who has successfully driven commercial expansion, partnerships and organisational performance.

Most importantly, you will bring:

• Strategic leadership experience within a complex organisation.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• The ability to build influential partnerships across the public and private sectors.
• Experience leading and motivating high-performing teams.
• Political awareness and stakeholder management skills.
• A genuine commitment to economic inclusion, entrepreneurship and regional growth.

Why Join Us?

The North East is entering one of the most exciting periods in its economic history.

From clean energy and advanced manufacturing to AI, digital innovation and inward investment, the opportunities for growth are significant. The BIC is uniquely positioned to support the entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses who will shape the region's future.

This is an opportunity to lead an organisation with purpose, influence and ambition.

To build on an outstanding legacy.

To shape what comes next.

And to play a defining role in the future success of the North East.

Applications

Castle Peak Group is acting as retained search partner on behalf of the North East BIC.

Key dates for interview Informal meetings, week commencing the 13th July Formal interview, Thursday 23rd July.

Castle Peak Group is acting as our retained consultancy on this appointment. Candidates should apply by emailing a full cv and covering letter to James Carss at ***email_hidden***

We are inclusive, supporting different perspectives to drive innovation. We are constantly looking to improve the diversity of our organisation and invite applications which reflect the diversity and demographics of our community including applications from BAME, LGBTQ communities and those with a disability.