Member Article

Business legend Sir John Hall backs Charlie Hoult in race to be North of Tyne Mayor

SIR JOHN Hall has announced his support for entrepreneur Charlie Hoult in the race to be North of Tyne Mayor.

Hoult is expected to be confirmed as the Conservative Party’s nomination at a selection meeting this Thursday.

Born in Gosforth and now living near Hexham, Hoult, 51, is the owner of Newcastle business village Hoults Yard in Byker.

“Sir John is a legend in the north east and has helped shape the region. We need people involved with the North of Tyne mayoral role who have been successful and have big ideas and big ambition – no one fits that bill better than Sir John and I’m delighted to have his full support in my bid to be Mayor,” said Charlie.

“My campaign is about projects, not politics. It’s about getting things done, taking back control for the region and it’s about bringing everybody along on that journey,” he added.

There are seven weeks to go to the Mayoral election, which will take place on Thursday, May 2.

“This is a massively important choice for the north east, the Mayor will have the power and influence to take this region forward. Like me, Charlie is rooted in the north east and passionate about the region. His family has been successful here for generations and he’ll be perfect for the role,” said Sir John.

The legendary businessman, former owner of Newcastle United and the man behind the MetroCentre, said he had thought of standing for the role himself, but was happy to stand aside once he heard Charlie was interested.

“I gave long and serious consideration to standing for mayor, but I concluded the role needed a younger man and as soon as Charlie told me he was up for it, I was behind him,” Sir John, 86, explained.

“Charlie’s track record speaks for itself. He is a very successful businessman who has created hundreds of jobs in his own businesses. He’s sharp, well connected and hugely ambitious for the region,” he added.

“There is so much potential in the North of Tyne area, but we’ve suffered decades of Westminster neglect and the effects of petty local politics,” said Charlie.

“We need to think bigger, kick down the doors of Westminster to demand more equality and deliver projects that will improve the lives of the most passionate, hard-working people in the land.

“As the new mayor I will generate access to £600m in funding at the off. I want to grow this to deliver what the region needs. I will create more jobs, fix disjointed transport, inspire young talent, build stronger communities and spearhead the drive for further inward investment.

“One of the driving forces of me running for Mayor is because I fear the election of a Mayor from the hard left Momentum faction of the Labour party. This risks returning us to an era of strife and textbook economic experiments, turning the clocks back to the 1970s.

“We need to look forward, not back. We need policies based on reality not ideology. We need ideas, energy, ambition and a region fit for the next industrial revolution.”

Hoult is the fourth generation to run the family business, founded in Sandiford in 1917. His grandfather was an Independent councillor at Newcastle City Council after the Second World War and his father, Fred, was a magistrate, school governor and first chair of Freeman Hospitals Trust. Hoult is father to four teenage boys and his wife is a consultant dermatologist at RVI.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hoults Yard .