OUR TEAM

Catherine joined the RBGS team in 2020 after gaining 21 years’ experience working within the local authority and community sectors. Catherine is our Support Officer and is responsible for a wide range of duties including; admin, event planning and organising our programme paperwork. Catherine has also played a key role in launching our brand new bespoke website. Prior to joining us, Catherine was the contracts and compliance team leader at Northumberland College, making her the “go to gal" in answering any questions on funding and regulations. Catherine is known for her astute attention to detail, and can be relied upon for sorting our team birthdays! She loves to bake, and has promised to make us all sorts of treats when we return to office life! 

Chris is our Rural Enterprise Specialist for West Northumberland, covering Hexham, Haltwhistle and Prudhoe. Chris has many years’ experience in delivering business support programmes – many of which were alongside our other Chris. He joined Advance Northumberland in 2016, and previously worked on our Business Northumberland digital support programme. Chris loves to support businesses by spending time getting to know and understand the owners and their ambitions. He is our very own “Maverick” having served in the RAF all over the world. Chris can often be found sampling sweet treats; he is our go to for food recommendations!

Chris is the Rural Enterprise Specialist for South East Northumberland, covering areas including Ashington, Morpeth and Cramlington.  He has worked with businesses of all sizes since 2007, from start-up to growth, including many social enterprises and Community Interest Companies. Chris joined Advance Northumberland in 2017 and worked alongside Katy in the delivery of the Rural Growth Network. During this role he gained lots of experience in developing applications for grant funding. Chris holds a Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, but his real talent lies in his outstanding general knowledge which is second to none. Chris is our team quiz master!

Jonpaul joined us in 2020 as our Rural Enterprise Specialist for North Northumberland, covering areas such as Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick. Jonpaul previously worked with our partner NBSL, and has many years’ experience in the business support sector. JP is known as our finance expert, having held a career in commercial banking. Not only does JP have an MBA in Business and Administration but he also sets the bar high on dress code, we’ve yet to see him in a pair of jeans! He is a basketball referee and a keen runner. 

Katy is our Manager of the North of Tyne Rural Business Growth Service, and previously managed the delivery of the Local Growth Funded Rural Growth Network capital grants programme 2015-20. Katy joined Advance Northumberland in 2015 having previously worked as a Regional Programme Manager at Carillion PLC, working in the energy sector. Katy moved to the North East 18 years ago to study Law at University. She brings many years’ experience of project management and has spent the last five years working with businesses in rural Northumberland. Most importantly, she still retains her Yorkshire accent! Katy can often be found drinking coffee, and balancing life as a busy working Mum.