Member Article

How this North East collaboration hopes to help businesses grow with Non-Executive Directors

Two of the region’s enterprising business professionals have come together to create the Experience Bank, not-for-profit initiative set up to support North East business growth.

Created by Peter Neal, of UNW LLP, and Neil Warwick, from Square One Law, The Experience Bank will help facilitate introductions between business owners and entrepreneurs looking to attract and work with an experienced Non-Executive Director.

Already supported by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University has also joined the collaboration with more partnerships sought with organisations around the region in the pipeline.

The recent addition of Northumbria provides a real boost for the Bank, with the uni having a strong record of working with businesses and collaborating on areas including research, knowledge sharing and providing funding support for graduate interns.

Tracey Wilson, Associate Head of Department for Accounting at Newcastle Business School, said: “The Experience Bank aims to help businesses in the North East by providing them with an environment where they can learn from each other and work with experienced Non-Executive Directors.

“They can guide them through business decisions, help them overcome challenges and open doors to new opportunities. It’s about helping businesses who have already achieved some success to reach the next level.

“We are also delighted to be hosting it here at Newcastle Business School. As well as providing access to a support network of talented and experienced business leaders and advisers, it offers opportunities for our academics to engage in research collaboration and to link up with dynamic and growing enterprises.”

Peter Neal, Head of UNW Strategic Talent, commented: “The Experience Bank is a peer-reviewed, proprietary network of experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders who are committed to sharing their knowledge and expertise.”

The Experience Bank says it will build and manage a high quality network of experienced and appropriately motivated business leaders who are interested in supporting aspirational enterprises across the region in a Non-Executive capacity.

Moreover, it plans to nurture the next generation of aspiring Non-Executive Directors and aims to raise the visibility of business talent in the North East.

Peter Neal added: “The important features of the Experience Bank are that it is business-led, genuinely independent and free-thinking.”

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