Member Article

Airport chief jets in to NECC

There will be a changing of the guard today at the AGM of the North East’s largest business membership organisation.

The North East Chamber of Commerce will welcome Newcastle International Airport Chief Executive Dave Laws as its new President, bidding farewell to current position holder John Mowbray OBE.

Dave began his career with the airport over 30 years ago as a fireman, rising through many areas of the business including health and safety, human resources, operations, aeronautical and commercial development before becoming Chief Executive in 2007.

A passionate advocate for the North East and its business community, Dave has helped secure business links as well as popular holiday destinations for nearly five million passengers per year and was instrumental in the introduction of a daily route to Dubai in 2007.

He said: “It is a great honour to be elected President of a regional institution nearing its 200th anniversary. The NECC is a fantastic organisation and essential to all North East business, helping produce the future workforce with its apprenticeship scheme, supporting our firms operating in overseas markets and working alongside ministers to bring more investment to the North East.

“During my three decades at Newcastle International Airport I have played my part in helping it become one of the UK’s fastest developing airports and hopefully I can play my part in helping the Chamber develop further and strengthen our position as the region’s leading business membership organisation.”

Dave will use his first address to thank Current President John Mowbray and formally launch NECC’s 50 Great Reasons to do Business in the North East, produced by the Chamber to help promote the region as the place to work and do business.

“This simple, but incredibly important document sets out the things we do best in the North East,” said Dave. “If we can persuade our exporters to include it in presentations overseas, out members of Parliament to use it in the House of Commons and our councils to adopt it as part of their economic development packs we will ensure a unified positive message and a clear demonstration of how committed we are to attract new business and nurture the ones we already have.”

The 50 Greatest Reasons document will be available at the NECC AGM and can be downloaded from the NECC website at: http://www.necc.co.uk/what-we-do/necc-regional-image-portal

Speaking ahead of his last address as President, John said: “I am delighted and very proud to see the 50 Greatest Reasons come to fruition. We worked incredibly hard on this project and think it will become a valuable tool in the region’s effort to attract new business.

“I have had an incredible two years as President and it has been genuinely satisfying to see the region emerging from recession in my last 12 months.

“We’ve had it tough in the North East, but thankfully we have been tough enough to roll with the punches dealt by the economic downturn and now stand ready to take advantage of the opportunities the recovery will present.

“I know Dave Laws very well and he is an exceptional choice as President. If he is half as successful at NECC as he has been at Newcastle International Airport then the Chamber is in great hands.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by North East Chamber of Commerce .