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Interview: Bob Paton, North East LEP Interim Chief Executive

“I have the best job in the North East” were the words Bob Paton used to describe his new role as the North East LEP’s Interim Chief Executive.

With no Chief Exec in place for the last 12 months and the NELEP in a difficult position to deliver a strategic economic plan of creating over 100,000 in the next ten years, the enterprise group turned to Bob to lead the facilitation.

“We have a plan with the core emphasis on creating more and better jobs for the region. I think the North East is the best region in the country and I wanted to be a part of this”, explained Bob.

“For whatever reason the person lined up for this position dropped out last minute and I’m very grateful for the hugely supportive position Accenture have taken in allowing me to take up this position”

At Accenture Bob headed the development of the new delivery centre in the North East, a job he loves to do.

“There’s still things to achieve at Accenture, I spend a couple of hours in the morning with what I can only describe as a brilliant team.

“But as I say I don’t think there’s a better job out there for someone with my passion for this region than heading up the LEP’s plan - so I can only reiterate how grateful I am for the unbelievable support shown to me to enable me to take up this role too.”

“It’s a really good time for me to take on the role, preparation is in place and we’re driving the delivery”.

Young people are at the forefront of Bob’s vision of a region creating and supporting a great amount of higher quality jobs. Focussing on the building a strong economy, education system, identity of the region and greater collaboration between the region’s businesses and education providers, Bob wants to see a better North East, working together.

And certainly Bob’s unrivalled passion for both the North East and the role itself suggest that a lot will be achieved in his six month tenure. Now, the question on everyone’s lips is will the experienced Ashington born business leader be in the role for longer?

“I’ve not been asked to do the position full time”, said Bob. However, if he were to be asked we’d imagine it would be very difficult for such a champion of the region to turn down.

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