Entrepreneurs' Forum

Getting to know... Nicola Crowther We know you as the founder of Crowther Mediation and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is the… | North East | Entrepreneur | Business Growth | Insight | SMEs | Professional Services ...

Getting to know Nicola Crowther! 👋 Founder of Crowther Mediation, Forum member and entrepreneur who has built a trusted UK brand and expanded into Dubai.

Read more about her story with Bdaily ➡️ shorturl.at/vz1Zg

Getting to know... Aaron Lally We know you as the founder of VEST Energy and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is the… | Manufacturing | North East | Energy | Entrepreneur | Business Growth | SMEs | Professional S...

Getting to know Aaron Lally! Founder of VEST Energy, trader at heart and Forum member. Loves family life, boxing, rugby & the buzz of building brilliant teams.

Read more about his story with Bdaily ➡️ bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

Check your mailbox because the latest edition of forum magazine is here!

Jam-packed with member features and feel-good stories, if you can't wait for your edition to arrive, you can head to our website to read the digital edition: entrepreneursforum.net/news/publica...

Getting to know... Simon Briton • We know you as the founder of Quantify R&D and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is… | Tax | North East | Accounting | Entrepreneur | Business Growth | SMEs | Professional...

Getting to know Simon Briton! Founder of Quantify R&D, innovation tax expert and Forum member. Loves problem-solving, cycling, foraging, fermenting & new music.

Read more about his story with Bdaily ➡️ bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

Getting to know... Michael Knowles We know you as the founder of ROAR Digital Marketing and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is… | North East | Digital | Entrepreneur | Marketing | Business Growth | SMEs | Professional Services |

Getting to know Michael Knowles, founder of ROAR Digital Marketing and proud Entrepreneurs’ Forum member, Michael thrives on progress, family adventures and life in the North East.

Read more about his story with Bdaily ➡️

We made it to the top! ⛰️ Yesterday, members and our team conquered Roseberry Topping – huffs, puffs, epic views and plenty of laughs, finished with a well-earned lunch at The King’s Head Inn! Thanks to everyone who brought the energy 🙌

Getting to know... Helena Harford We know you as the founder of Print Cakes and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is the… | North East | Creative | Entrepreneur | Brands | Business Growth | SMEs | Manufacturing & Construction |

Getting to know Helena Harford! 🧁

From Graphic Design grad to founder of Print Cakes, Helena’s baked for Chanel, Jo Malone & even Richard Branson – twice!

She’s grown her business from a home kitchen to a thriving bakery, all while raising three young kids.

Read her story via Bdaily 👇

Our Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates the North East’s most inspiring business legends.

Past winners include: Nigel Mills CBE, Sir Graham Wylie CBE, Helen McArdle CBE, John & Dame Irene Hays, Dame Margaret Barbour, Lorna Moran OBE, Paul Callaghan CBE.

🔥 But in 2025… a new name joins the list!

Getting to know Alistair McLeod, founder of Gray Fox Consulting and Entrepreneurs’ Forum member, Alistair is all about curiosity, logic and straight-talking.

Head to Bdaily to read all about Alistair's journey: bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

👏 Let’s hear it for the exceptional finalists for our Caroline Theobald Award!

• Richard Bradley, Dyer Engineering
• Tania Cooper MBE, Steel Benders UK Ltd
• Ammar Mirza CBE, AmmarM Group
• Kate Cooper-Fay, Cooper-Fay Harris

🎉 Our awards are OPEN TO ALL. If you'd like to celebrate with us on 18 Se

A change of pace! ☀️

Last week’s coastal walk took us from Tynemouth to St Mary’s Lighthouse and back, with great views and even better company.

What a way to soak up the summer!

Explore more events by visiting our website: www.entrepreneursforum.net

Getting to know Vikki Jackson-Smith - MD of J&B Recycling, Forum member and North East powerhouse!

From weighbridge to boardroom, Vikki’s journey is all about resilience, impact and living life to the full (she once beat Catherine Zeta-Jones in a dance comp 💃).

Read online:

👋 Meet Allana Hurst – CEO of Tights Tights Tights and proud Entrepreneurs’ Forum member. From fashion student to global business owner, her story is full of ambition and creativity.

Read more via Bdaily ➡️ bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

We had a brilliant time on Friday at our Schools Out Summer Social – the perfect way to kick off the holidays in style! ☀️

Hosted at PILGRIM, the evening was packed with great conversation, summer vibes and a seriously good soundtrack.

Thanks to everyone who joined us!

Meet Neil Henry – founder of Option3 Logic, Entrepreneurs’ Forum member and mentor. From a YTS scheme in ’88 to building a thriving business and coaching others to do the same.

Read his story via Bdaily 👉 shorturl.at/l2g1S

⛳ What a (slightly soggy!) day at Rockliffe Hall wrapping up our 2025 Golf Day series! Rain didn’t stop the fun as golfers of all levels enjoyed the Filly Course & Yearling Par 3. Huge thanks to Maitland & everyone who made it brilliant. See you next year! ⛳

⛳ A brilliant day at Close House for our Forum Golf Day, with tee-offs, first swings & plenty of laughs!

Thanks to our wealth management partner RBC Brewin Dolphin for hosting us and to all who joined us.

Next stop: Rockliffe Hall with our digital marketing partner Maitland!

Getting to know Laurence Beck! 👋
From one vehicle and a vision to a multi-regional chauffeur business now operating in the U.S.

Laurence, MD of Parkers Chauffeurs, shares how resilience, integrity and doing things properly built a business with heart.

👉 Read more: bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

BIG news! 🚀 As of June 2025, the Entrepreneurs’ Forum is 350 members strong! Entrepreneurs across the North East growing their businesses with peer support, practical insight and bucket loads of inspiration.

Not a member yet? Join now: entrepreneursforum.net

🎉 Join us for the 2025 Entrepreneurial Awards – a night to celebrate, connect & be inspired!

Swipe to see last year’s finalists, host Jo Darby & the objects that told their stories.

Book now: entrepreneursforum.net/awards

It's time to announce our Entrepreneur of the Year finalists! Swipe to see who’s made it 👀

Our awards are open to all so come be part of the celebration! Winner revealed this September.

🎟️ Save your space: entrepreneursforum.net/awards
Thanks to Ward Hadaway for supporting this award!

It's time to announce our Caroline Theobald Award! Swipe to see who’s made it 👀

Our awards are open to all, spotlighting the North East’s rising stars.
Winner revealed this September!

🎟️ Save your space: entrepreneursforum.net/awards
Thanks to RTC North for supporting this award!

Meet Josey Lawrenson – co-founder of Therapy North & House Seven, child counselling specialist and 1 of the youngest directors in the Forum 👏

From 17 concerts a year to building a business before graduating, Josey’s journey is full of passion, purpose & resilience.

🔗 bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

Put your hands together for our Impact finalists! 👏

Our awards are open to all, spotlighting the North East’s rising stars.
Winner revealed this September!

🎟️ Save your space: entrepreneursforum.net/awards

Psst... our One to Watch Finalists are HERE! Swipe to see who’s made it 👀

Our awards are open to all, spotlighting the North East’s rising stars.
Winner revealed this September!

🎟️ Save your space: entrepreneursforum.net/awards
Thanks to UMi for supporting this award!

Back at UMi this morning for another 10/10 workshop! ⭐️

Thank you to the brilliant Oliver Deacon for guiding us through how AI can power more efficient, effective leadership.

Head to our website to see what’s coming up next: entrepreneursforum.net/events

Getting to know... Tom Solly We know you as a director at RBC Brewin Dolphin, and a partner of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is… | Advice | North East | Management | Finance | Entrepreneur | SMEs | Professional Services...

Getting to know Tom Solly 👋

📈 Director at RBC Brewin Dolphin
🤝 Entrepreneurs’ Forum partner
🐦 Dream job? Cricket commentator
🦩 Proudest moment? Riding an ostrich

“Everyone has a story to tell and I like to hear it.”
Read more ➡️ bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

#NorthEast #Entrepreneurs #BDaily

👋 Meet Samantha Vassallo FCIM – founder of Horizon Works, proud Forum member and accidental marketer!

From fashion dreams to marketing success, she’s built a thriving agency, a loyal team and a life she loves in the #NorthEast.

Read more via Bdaily ➡️ bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...

Big news! 🎉 Kimberley Turner, CFO of Double Eleven, joins the Entrepreneurs’ Forum board!

Kimberley brings with her a wealth of strategic experience from one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech companies.

Welcome Kimberley!

Read more: shorturl.at/FrT5H

Getting to know Douglas Dinwiddie! 👋

As part of Bdaily’s Getting to Know series, we caught up with Doug – Founder of Maitland, former pro golf caddy, and proud Forum partner – to find out what drives him on and off the green.

Read online ➡️ bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...