Judges 2025

We pride ourselves on the integrity and diligence of our judging process. All judges are selected for their expertise and must have at least 10 years’ experience working in or around the finance sector.

Stephen Adair, Partner, Broad Chare Partners

View Stephen’s Biography

Tom Ainscough, Chief Executive Officer, ZyroFisher

View Tom’s Biography
Joanna Allen, IFA, Greenarch Wealth Management

View Joanna’s Biography

Lynn Bassett, Global HR Director, Barbour

View Lynn’s Biography

Ian Beaumont, Regional Senior Partner, Azets

View Ian’s Biography

Dan Bloxam, Associate Director, Nigel Wright Group

View Dan’s Biography

Ken Campling, Financial Director, Hays Travel

View Ken’s Biography

Philip Clare, Partner, Muckle LLP

View Philip’s Biography

George Clark, Non Executive Director, Nexus

View George’s Biography

James Cleave, Chief Financial Officer, Everflow Utilities

View James Biography

Nick Collins, Executive Director of Finance, Newcastle University

View Nick’s Biography

Stephen Craigen, Chief Financial Officer and Director, Hargreaves Services plc

View Stephen’s Biography

John Fenwick, Director of Finance and Resources, Nexus

View John’s Biography

Brian Foreman, Former Head of Handelsbanken Newcastle       

View Brian’s Biography

Claire Foster, CFO, Executive, Non-Executive & Trustee, Strategic Advisor, Mentor, EDF Renewables       

View Claire’s Biography

Tom Gilbert, Group Financial Controller, Dewhirst

View Tom’s Biography

Rachel Hegarty, Head of People & OD, North Tyneside Council

View Rachel’s Biography

Niamh Hodge, Managing Consultant, Nigel Wright Group

View Niamh’s Biography

Eoghan Johnston, Chief Financial Officer, iamproperty

View Eoghan’s Biography

Alex Jones, Finance Director, Northern Powergrid

View Alex’s Biography

James Kyle, Regional Director, Rathbones

View James’s Biography

Claire Long, Director of Finance, Muckle LLP

View Claire’s Biography

David Mellett, Managing Director Financial Planning, TrinityBridge

View David’s Biography

Sahil Nayyar, Director, Cavu Corporate Finance

View Sahil’s Biography

Linda Nguyenova, Investor & Deal Origination Lead, BGF Yorkshire & North East

View Linda’s Biography

Bruce Parvin, North East Regional President, CIPFA

View Bruce’s Biography

Gareth Phillips, Managing Director, CRL Foods

View Gareth’s Biography

Robert Phillips, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson

View Robert’s Biography

Liz Robertson, People Director, The Inn Collection Group

View Liz’s Biography

Lynn Shearing, M&A Director, Bourne Leisure

View Lynn’s Biography

Paul Shields, Partner, Johnston Carmichael LLP

View Paul’s Biography

Emma Smith, Principal Consultant, Nigel Wright Group

View Emma’s Biography

Aneela Ali, Executive Director – Finance and Corporate Services, North East Chamber of Commerce

View Aneela’s Biography

Stephen Adair, Partner, Broad Chare Partners

Stephen Adair is a Partner of Broad Chare Partners, Chartered Financial Planner, Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment.

Stephen uses his experience as a business owner, and his high-level of professional qualifications, to provide high quality, tailored wealth management and comprehensive support in respect of the overlapping needs of the individual, family and business, which change from start-up to growth, succession or retirement.

Broad Chare Partnership LLP is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

SJP Approved 05/03/2025

 

Tom Ainscough, Chief Executive Officer, ZyroFisher

Based in the North East, ZyroFisher are the UK’s leading distributor of cycling parts and accessories, with over 50 well known cycling brands within its portfolio. Tom who leads the business as CEO has over 25 years business experience in both large corporate FMCG, SME, PE and  turnaround environments. Tom’s background is in operations and supply chain management with a keen interest in practical financial solutions for SME business needs.

A keen cyclist and outdoor enthusiast, Tom is passionate about the North East and its wealth of business talent.  

 

Joanna Allen, IFA, Greenarch Wealth Management

Joanna is an independent financial planner with over 25 years experience advising a range of corporate, sme and individual clients.
Passionate about advice for women and ethical investing and championing bespoke, chartered, independent advice.

 

Lynn Bassett, Global HR Director, Barbour

Lynn Bassett is an experienced HR and Organisational Development leader with over 20 years of experience in the consumer and retail sectors. As Global HR Director at Barbour, she leads the company’s people strategy, ensuring it drives business growth while fostering an inclusive and engaged workforce. Previously, Lynn also worked for Nike, where she held various senior HR roles, most recently serving as Senior HR Director for the UK & Ireland and as a member of the EMEA HR Leadership Team. Beyond her executive roles, she brings governance and strategic oversight as a Non-Executive Director, alongside her past contributions to higher education as a member of Newcastle University Business School’s International Advisory Board. Lynn is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and holds a Master's degree in Geography from the University of Cambridge, a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, and a Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching. She also earned a Diploma in Inclusive and Authentic Leadership from Northwestern University.

 

Ian Beaumont, Regional Senior Partner, Azets

Ian is the Regional Senior Partner in the North East & Yorkshire for Azets. He is responsible for regional strategy, growing the business and ensuring Azets plays its part in the region’s success. He has been a partner in four major accountancy firms and office managing partner in three.

Ian as a wealth of experience working with clients through all aspects of growth, acquisition, transition between generations and exit either through sale, EOT or IPO onto a public market. He is a visiting professor at the University of Huddersfield, a keen golfer and sport enthusiast.

Dan Bloxam, Associate Director, Nigel Wright Recruitment

Dan is an Associate Director for the Finance Recruitment Team, whose current remit focuses on Permanent, Qualified, Finance Leadership and Board appointments throughout the North East of England and Yorkshire. Roles include Finance Directors, CFOs, Group FCs, Head of Finance and Transformation. Recruiting across a broad range of sectors and ownership structures, whether that’s PLC, Private Equity or private ownership. Prior to joining Nigel Wright, Dan has 13 years' experience of working with internationally recognised talent management and development framework, Investors in People. Advising on improving business performance through effective people management and development practices. Latterly, he has worked for Grant Thornton, a global leader of audit, taxation and advisory services, specifically focused on people solutions through Account Management services.

 

 

Ken Campling, Financial Director, Hays Travel

Our finance team provides access to daily commission reports and is on hand to help members make the most of these for financial planning and to answer financial queries. Our state-of-the-art selling system manages your bookings seamlessly, without the need for any manual intervention.

 

 

Philip Clare, Partner, Muckle LLP

Philip is a Partner in and heads up the Corporate Team at Muckle LLP. He advises clients on a whole range of corporate matters, such as business acquisitions and disposals, private equity transactions, other investments and corporate reorganisations. He frequently acts for clients buying or selling businesses and also regularly advises on company law and corporate governance matters.

 

George Clark, Non Executive Director, Nexus

With over 49 years public service experience. George spent 25 years at Newcastle City Council where he was Chief Internal Auditor and Head of risk management and insurance.

In 2001 became an Inspector with the Audit Commission delivering over 50 assessments across all areas of the public sector in England. Made redundant in 2011 on the abolishment of the Audit Commission.

Currently providing his skills and experience to a range of local bodies;

  • Nexus - Independent Non-Executive Director.
  • Independent Person for Newcastle
  • Vice Chair of Board of Governors Tyne Coast College
  • Treasurer of Heaton Stannington AFC
  • Treasurer of 61st Newcastle (St Francis) Scout Group

Internationally worked with the Shanghai Municipal Reform project: Crown Agents training Chief Internal Auditors from Africa and Eastern Europe; Bosnia to lecture Cantonal Finance Ministers and their staff, on their role in public accountability, developing and delivering training to develop effective Internal Audit; Macedonia developing anti-corruption hotlines and training programmes for the staff operating them.

Past President of CIPFA North East Region and in 2011 awarded the Dr Hedley Marshall award for outstanding voluntary service to CIPFA’s regions over a 21year period.

 

 

James Cleave, Chief Financial Officer, Everflow Utilities

James is the CFO of Everflow, a multi-utility business serving SMEs across the UK. He joined Everflow seven years ago and has helped grow the business from 10 to over 200 employees, as well as being 3rd in the FT1000 Fastest Growing Companies in Europe. He trained with Clive Owen in Darlington, before working at Deloitte as a senior manager within audit. As well as being a Chartered Accountant, he is also a member of the Strategic Panel, the senior-most industry body responsible for the strategic direction of the business water market.

 

 

Nick Collins, Executive Director of Finance, Newcastle University

Nick Collins has overall responsibility for the University’s financial planning, monitoring and control ensuring that robust financial plans are in place to meet the University’s strategic plans. Nick leads the Finance function covering Financial Performance, Corporate Finance, Financial Services, Procurement & Purchasing and Funding Assurance.

Nick is also responsible for the University IT Service and the campus Estates and Facilities.

Nick is an accomplished finance professional with experience across a range of sectors. He has a broad skill set that has been developed by driving complex change initiatives, leading large teams, strengthening financial control and operating in a listed corporate environment. Nick trained with PwC where he worked with a range of businesses before then holding a number of senior roles within Virgin Money plc. Most recently Nick was the CFO of a start-up bank.

Nick is a Chartered Accountant, Corporate Treasurer and holds a Masters in Physics from the University of Oxford.

 

 

Stephen Craigen, Chief Financial Officer and Director, Hargreaves Services plc

Stephen Craigen is the Chief Financial Officer and Director at Hargreaves Services plc. Stephen graduated from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne with a Master's degree in Mathematics and Statistics and is a qualified chartered accountant, having trained at PwC. Post qualification, Stephen moved to Hargreaves in 2013 and held various roles across the Group, including Group Financial Controller, until his appointment as CFO in August 2023.

 

 

John Fenwick, Director of Finance and Resources, Nexus 

John Fenwick is a Chartered Public Finance Accountant and has been a board member at Nexus since 2008.

In addition to the finance function, John’s responsibilities extend to the programme management office, legal services and ICT. John is also leading Nexus’ contribution to the region’s bus franchising scheme assessment, which will determine how bus services are delivered in future.

John’s key achievements at Nexus include attracting almost £1 billion of investment for the Tyne and Wear Metro, which has seen significant asset upgrades including a new train fleet with the first of 46 units having recently entered passenger service.

Before joining Nexus, John worked as a Finance Director in the Criminal Justice Sector having began his working life at Gateshead Council, where he became a Chartered Public Finance Accountant in 1995. John also has a postgraduate diploma in Strategy and Resource Management from Northumbria University.

 

 

Brian Foreman, Former Head of Handelsbanken Newcastle

Brian has 38 years of banking experience, having very recently stepped down from his role at Handelsbanken, where he lead an extended team spanning both Corporate and Private Banking. Prior to Handelsbanken, Brian was head of SME at Barclays and in former roles, during an extensive career, he also headed a centre of excellence for Football Finance, a role that carried a national mandate, being recognised for his Professional Services to the sector at the 2010 Football Awards. Brian has also been heavily involved with both the HE & FE sectors during his time as Head of Education across the North East & Yorkshire region. Brian now acts as an advisors to local SME enterprises. He is a fully qualified Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.

 

Claire Foster, CFO, Executive, Non-Executive & Trustee, Strategic Advisor, Mentor, EDF Renewables

Preferred Name: Claire
Pronouns: She/Her

Claire is a dedicated, passionate and results-driven CFO with proven success in financial transformation and optimising performance across a variety of sectors, currently working in a transformational role with EDF Renewables.

She is a Mum to five children and serves on the Board of Trustees of Age UK Northumberland, providing her expertise to the Executive and Senior Leadership Group.

Claire supports the Board of a local not-for-profit organisation within the education sector, as well as volunteering her skills to support the provision of programmes for surviving women and families after domestic abuse.

She is also a proud Mentor to a number of CIMA students nationwide, providing advice and guidance to individuals throughout their financial qualification journey and has been a judge on the NEAA panel for 5 years.

 

 

Tom Gilbert, Group Financial Controller, Dewhirst

Tom joined PwC in 2007 after graduating from the University of Nottingham. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2010 and progressed to manager level in audit. His time at PwC included a two year period in France on secondment. In 2016 he moved to Nissan in Sunderland, and lead their Financial Reporting and Corporate Governance teams. During this challenging time, he helped the business as it dealt with the impact of Covid, Brexit and also the move towards electrification. In 2024 he moved to Dewhirst as Group Financial Controller, supporting the business through a major re-finance in his time there so far.

Rachel Hegarty, Head of People & OD, North Tyneside Council

Rachel is a qualified Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (FCIPD), with over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors in HR & OD.

Rachel has experience and expertise in managing and delivering people and business strategies through periods of change, most recently as the senior People professional at North Tyneside Council.

She is passionate about the alignment of inclusive, consumer-focused HR & OD strategy to increase organisational performance with a track record of supporting significant transformational change.

Rachel has postgraduate level qualifications in Executive Coaching, Human Resource Management and a degree in Business Administration.

 

Niamh Hodge, Managing Consultant, Nigel Wright Recruitment 

Based in our Newcastle office, Niamh’s recruitment remit focuses on temporary and contract Finance appointments from non-qualified to mid-level (up to £45,000 p/a) across Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and parts of County Durham. Typical assignments cover roles such as Accounts Assistant, Assistant Accountant, Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Management Accountant and Financial Accountant.

 

 

Eoghan Johnston, Chief Financial Officer, iamproperty

Eoghan Johnston qualified as a chartered accountant in 2011 through the innovative Flying Start programme; a collaboration between PwC, Newcastle University and the ICAEW. After qualifying Eoghan joined the Corporate Finance team under Paul Mankin before leaving practice for his first role in industry with Elysian Capital backed Tekmar Energy. Eoghan spent 5 years as Group Financial Controller at Tekmar before moving to his current role at iamproperty as CFO. Eoghan’s role has grown significantly since joining iamproperty in 2016 and has successfully guided the group through two major rounds of Private Equity funding. LDC invested in iamproperty in 2019 and successfully exited in 2023 achieving a 3.7x return on their investment to be replaced by Perwyn Private Equity, driving iamproperty on to its next level of growth.

Alex Jones, Finance Director, Northern Powergrid

Alex joined Northern Powergrid in January 2015 and became Finance Director in March 2022. He is a Chartered Accountant having completed his training with KPMG, spending seven years in their Restructuring practice.
Prior to becoming Finance Director, Alex was the Director of Performance and Planning, leading on the development of the company’s long term business plan. He has also spent time leading the company’s engineering and major projects operations teams.

James Kyle, Regional Director, Rathbones

James is Office Head of Rathbones Newcastle and was a core part of the team who opened the office in the city back in 2013. He started his career in the wealth management industry in 1998 and previously worked at Brewin Dolphin and UBS. James manages individual and family wealth and has a speciality in advising entrepreneurs, business owners and “C-suite” executives.

James graduated in Law from Newcastle University in 1998, holds the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) Diploma and is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI. He is a trustee of the St Mary the Virgin charity and is a former trustee of the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

 

Claire Long, Director of Finance, Muckle LLP

Claire is Finance Director at leading regional law firm Muckle LLP where she enjoys playing a broad operational and strategic role across the firm. Previously to that, having qualified as an ACA with Grant Thornton, she spent 24 years working for Procter & Gamble across a variety of business units, including European Finance Director for the Pringles business based out of Geneva, UK Finance Director for Market Operations in Surrey as well as being a Director of European Treasury Accounting in Newcastle.

David Mellett, Managing Director Financial Planning, Trinity Bridge

David is responsible for Advice and Client facing functions across the North. Experienced in Leadership & Wealth Management with a deep and extensive career working in the Wealth & Investment Management industry responsible for the management of specialist advisers across Advice, Asset Management, Investment Advisory and Estate Planning.


Prior to joining the company, David was Divisional Director for Santander Wealth Management, responsible for Investment advice across Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Previous to this, he was a Regional Head and Investment Director for the North at Kingswood Group responsible for all Advice and Investment Management functions.


David also spent 11 years with Barclays Wealth & Investment Management, latterly as the Director of Manchester & North West, where he led the Private Banking team focused on private clients and entrepreneurs, having being part of the leadership team since 2008.


David has over 20 years Wealth Management experience and is a Chartered Fellow and Chartered Wealth Manager member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

 

 

Sahil Nayyar, Director, Cavu Corporate Finance


Sahil Nayyar is a director at Cavu Corporate Finance, a mid-market corporate advisory boutique specializing in disposals, acquisitions, private equity, and debt funding transactions. Sahil has over 15 years professional service experience, advising shareholders and businesses on their journey. Nayyar emphasises a hands-on approach to client service, aiming to drive value and manage execution risks to deliver excellent outcomes for clients.

Throughout his tenure at Cavu, Nayyar has advised on several notable transactions, including:

- Sale of Beyond Digital to overseas corporate ZetaDisplay, backed by Hanover Investors
- Advised SkinBioTherapeutics plc on a buy and build strategy, including the acquisition of Dermatonics and BioTech Solutions
- Advised on the sale of Panelbase to Norstat, backed by Triton Partners
- Advised on the sale of Wheelbase to JD Sports plc

In recognition of his achievements, Sahil was awarded the Emerging Dealmaker of the year 2024, the winner of the YPA Finance Professional award 2023 and winner of the ABC Professional of the year award 2023.

 

Linda Nguyenova, Investor & Deal Origination Lead, BGF Yorkshire & North East

Linda joined BGF in May 2022. Focusing on Yorkshire and the North East, her role covers both Deal Origination and Execution. Prior to joining BGF, Linda spent nearly four years in the investment team at Endless LLP, a special situations investor, where she was responsible for deal origination and execution, financial due diligence and portfolio management. Linda is passionate about driving change and improving Diversity and Inclusion in the industry. Linda was recognised as one of the Future 40 Diversity and Inclusion Leaders by Real Deals.

Bruce Parvin, North East Regional President, CIPFA

Bruce is currently CIPFA North East Regional President, heading an active team of Executive Committee volunteers who manage professional development opportunities for members and students in the Region. Bruce also represents CIPFA on the North East Finance Leaders Group. His day job sees him leading on School Finance for Northumberland County Council. Having previously worked in a number of senior roles in NE Councils and educational settings, Bruce remains passionate about the key role of the public finance professional.

In his spare time Bruce is a qualified junior football coach and Club Chairman with Tynemouth United Juniors FC.

 

 

Gareth Phillips, Managing Director, CRL Foods

Gareth is Managing Director at CRL Foods, a rapidly growing contract manufacturer in the ready-to-drink markets based in Gosforth.

Gareth started his career in practice as an auditor with EY where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant before moving into UNW’s corporate finance team.  At UNW he advised on multiple deals in the region including MBOs, disposals and fundraises – in particular one for CRL Foods.  It was in 2021 that Gareth moved into industry for the first time as Group Head of FP&A at Fentimans where he drove a culture of business partnering and formalised within the Group an FP&A structure.

Gareth joined CRL Foods in 2023 as Finance Director and has since been promoted to Managing Director to lead the business through its next phase of growth.

 

Robert Phillips, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson

Robert is a corporate finance partner with over 25 years’ experience of advising clients on private and public company mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, domestic and international joint ventures and corporate governance.

In over 20 years working in the North East corporate marketplace as part of an award winning regional firm, Robert has advised on some of the most significant transactions in the region and worked with some of the region’s best known entrepreneurs. Robert’s specialisation is working with owner-managers and shareholders around strategic direction and maximising value when exiting their companies and also on the reverse side of those transactions, acting for corporates acquiring new businesses and companies as part of growth strategies.

Robert has been named Insider’s North-East corporate lawyer of the year on three separate occasions – and worked on 4 of the awards’ ceremony “Deal of the Year” in the North East Region.

Following outstanding client feedback Robert was named as a star lawyer in the ‘Acritas Stars’ global database 2017 and 2018
Womble Bond Dickinson is a Transatlantic Law Firm created by the coming together of leading regional and national firms – to give businesses and individuals nationally and locally a regional presence and footprint – with national and now transatlantic reach and expertise.

Liz Robertson, People Director, The Inn Collection Group

As People Director for The Inn Collection Group, Liz Robertson has set up and grown the People function to enable significant business growth. With nearly 20 years of HR in both Retail & Hospitality she has been instrumental in organisational change, acquisitions, talent development, pay & reward strategies, resource planning for growth, employer brand building and cultural evolution.

Having graduated from UCL with a degree in Geography & Anthropology, she went on to do a Postgraduate diploma in HR Management before qualifying in training and mentoring. As mum to two boys she’s also recently become a governor at Whitley Bay High School, an eye-opening experience which supports understanding the needs and challenges of the future workforce.

 

 

Lynn Shearing, M&A Director, Bourne Leisure

M&A Director at Blackstone backed Bourne Leisure, acting across 2 brands: Haven - the largest caravan park operator in UK and Warner Hotels, a portfolio of 18 hotels, offering adult only leisure breaks throughout the UK. Roles undertaken previously include M&A Director at Parkdean Resorts, consultant for Greggs Plc, Business Development Director at Womble Bond Dickinson, Corporate Finance Assistant Director at PwC and Board Member at Bernicia. Studied Accountancy and Finance at Leeds University over 25 years ago. My greatest achievement to date, is having my 3 wonderful children (aged 17-20). 

 

 

Paul Shields, Partner, Johnston Carmichael LLP

Paul joined Johnston Carmichael in October 2023, with over 25 years’ experience working in accountancy practices in the North East of England. Paul is a Fellow of the ICAEW and a qualified auditor and is based out of the newly formed Newcastle Office where he is the Office Managing Partner.


Paul has also held several volunteer positions and is currently a director of Not-for-Profit Entity, Open North Foundation which assist North East based businesses and individuals that were adversely affected via Covid-19 and the subsequent financial downturn.

 

 

Emma Smith, Principle Consultant, Nigel Wright Recruitment

Emma joined the Nigel Wright Newcastle office in 2019. Emma has over 16 years of recruitment experience covering a variety of disciplines from HR to Senior Finance. Within her role, Emma specialises in mid-level qualified finance roles throughout the North East of England. Her expertise lies within search and selection, providing support to clients and candidates alike. She adopts a consultative and friendly approach which has allowed Emma to build a strong reputation in the market.

 

 

Aneela Ali, Executive Director – Finance and Corporate Services, North East Chamber of Commerce 

Aneela is a strategic commercial leader with expertise in finance, operations, and organisational transformation. As Finance and Corporate Services Director at the North East England Chamber of Commerce, she drives financial sustainability and efficiency, supporting businesses across the region. 

Beyond the Chamber, she holds Non-Executive Finance Board roles at Newcastle Gateshead Initiative and The Glasshouse, contributing to the North East’s economic, cultural, and creative growth. As Vice Chair of Gateshead College, she strengthens governance and strategy in education. 

A passionate advocate for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), Aneela ensures inclusivity is embedded in every space she influences. Recognised on the 2024 Northern Power Women Power List, she champions gender-balanced and inclusive workplaces. As Link Governor for Learner Voice and EDI at Gateshead College, she amplifies diverse perspectives and drives inclusive policies. She also supports financial governance and strategy as a school governor. 

A lifelong Newcastle United fan, Aneela enjoys photography, fitness, charity work, and global travel. She holds a BSc in Accounting from Northumbria University Business School, an MBA in Senior Leadership, and is a Chartered Manager (CMgr) and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI). Combining financial expertise, strategic leadership, and a commitment to inclusion, she is a driving force for positive change.