Experts in Residence

Local experts providing practical advice to local businesses

Business and IP Centre North East’s Experts in Residence offer north-east businesses the opportunity to meet, usually online, to discuss a wide range of business topics. Our Experts give up their own time to provide this support, therefore, meetings are limited to one only online appointment per Expert.

If you are still in the process of setting up your business you can access support from Experts listed in the ‘Start-Up Support’ Experts category, plus also our Innovation Expert Roger Tipple. To request meetings with our other Experts you must be a businesses currently trading in the north-east and registered with either Companies House or as self-employed with HMRC.

( Please Note: BIPC North East are not currently recruiting new Experts in Residence)

Meet our Experts

Please click any of our Experts below for more information and to book an appointment. Think carefully about which Expert who you feel is best places to help you and to get the most out of your session, tell us what advice you need from the Expert, being mindful of what can be realistically achieved in the 30/45 minutes available.

Business Start Up Advice

Dr Michelle Booth
Social Enterprise and Purpose-Led Business Consultant: : supporting South of Tyne based Social Enterprises
Gillian Middleton
Start Up Business Advice Expert (Sunderland, Gateshead and Durham residents only)
Allison Nicks
Start-up Business Advice Expert (South Tyneside Residents only)
Kate Duffy
Social Enterprise and Purpose-Led Business Consultant: : supporting North of Tyne based Social Enterprises
Shirley Wilson
Start Up Business Advice Expert (Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside residents only)
Sue Hunt
Start Up Business Advice Expert (Newcastle residents only)
Kirsty McDine-Daniels
Start Up Business Advice Expert for Women (Newcastle/Gateshead/North Tyneside/Northumberland Residents only)
Roger Tipple
Innovation Expert
John Cunningham & Matt Ginnelly
BIPC Intellectual Property Specialists

Grow Your Social Enterprise

Dr Michelle Booth
Social Enterprise and Purpose-Led Business Consultant: : supporting South of Tyne based Social Enterprises
Kay Jones
Trusted Advisor to Leaders, Boards and Purpose-Led Organisations
Kate Duffy
Social Enterprise and Purpose-Led Business Consultant: : supporting North of Tyne based Social Enterprises

Intellectual Property & Legal Advice

Leigh Ferguson
Dispute Resolution Expert
Elliot Stephens
IP Protection & Strategy Expert
David Corbyn
Patent and Trade Mark Expert
Sally Sanderson/ Matt Cormack
Corporate Law & IP Expert
Walter Marufu
Commercial Property Expert
John Cunningham & Matt Ginnelly
BIPC Intellectual Property Specialists

Marketing, Digital & Communication

Nic Redman (not currently available for appointments)
Voice & Communication Coach | Speaking Director
Lara Mellor
Microsoft Training Expert
Amanda Dixon
Digital Marketing & Website Growth Expert
Jackie Wilson
Content Marketing and Storytelling Expert
Hannah Zora Strong
Google and LinkedIn Advertising Expert
Rachel Sykes
Social Media & Digital Marketing Expert
Yulia Dzenkovska
AI and Customer Experience Management Expert
Keith Newman
Public Relations Expert
Racheal Straughan
E-Commerce and Online Retail Growth
Andy Ditchburn
Website, Brand and Marketing Expert
Ann English
Visual Marketing Expert
Jeni Smith
Networking Expert

Professional Photography and Video Production

Tim Goodill
Videographer & Media Consultant
Rachel McClumpha
Product & Brand Photography Expert
Sue Todd
Food, Drink & Hospitality and Product Photography Expert
Ashleigh King
Podcasting Expert

Grow Your Business/Expand Your Markets

Kate Dawson
Fashion: Clothing Design and Supply Chain Expert
Lucy Ord
Founder Development & Team Effectiveness Expert
Carol Butts
People Management and Human Resources Expert
Jane Shaw
Creative Business Expert
Chris Jewitt
Food, Drink and Hospitality Expert
Simon Laing
Tourism & Visitor Economy Expert
Natasha McDonough
Market Research Expert
Moira Barnes
Sales Expert
Tracey Watson
International Trade Expert
Kat Sykes
Change Management Expert
Sam Hook
Business Confidence Coach
Kim English and Colin Hastings
Production Systems Experts
Karen Williamson
Retail and High Street Expert
Roger Tipple
Innovation Expert
Scott Rowland
Performance & Turnaround Expert
Mel Carr
Winning Contracts & Tenders Expert
Tracy Clarkson
Survive & Thrive Expert
Paul Lott
Employment Law and HR
Joanna Tabaku
Maximising and Improving Business Profitability Expert

Green Business Growth and Sustainability

Jess Miller
Food Sustainability Expert
Victoria Robertshaw
Green business and retail expert
Ian Brown
Sustainability and Green Business Expert
James Staniforth
Environmental Sustainability – Carbon Foot Printing Expert

Managing Your Finances

Kay Sandford
Bookkeeping Expert
Sarah Gray
Insolvency and Restructuring Advice
Gavin Spencer
Digital Accountancy Expert
Graham Brewis
Financial Well-Being for the Self-Employed Expert

Food Safety/Health & Safety for Business

Jill Taylor
Food Safety Expert

Neurodiversity and Disability Support

Damian Baetens
Neurodiversity in Business Expert
John McDonald
Disability in the Workplace Expert

Citylife Business Support Grant

Businesses operating within some of the areas we cover can also access up to 12 additional hours of free support from our Experts by applying through our Citylife Business Support Programme. This grant is not available across all Council areas. To find out more and to check if your business is located in an eligible area please visit our Citylife Business Support Programme page.

Explore programme