Shaun Stuart

Chief Executive

Claims to fame, well, I live in Bishop Auckland with my wife and two children, am an avid Newcastle United supporter, have a keen interest in Northern and Rare Soul music, have a healthy interest in DIY especially joinery and own a great wine cellar which I occasionally share with my colleagues.

My training and development experience came from twenty years working in Her Majesty's Forces. Prior to leaving the forces, I attended a business start-up programme which awakened my interest in support for small business.

I set up a partnership with a long time friend, building a record shop business to gain further commercial experience.

Since that time I have looked for opportunities to become involved in Business Support, and got that opportunity working with the David Hall Partnership delivering the Enterprise Cell Programme aimed at team based business starts.

This was when I became seriously interested in the delivery of effective support for small businesses. I joined Darlington Business Venture as a business advisor and was instrumental in growing the business start rate in Darlington by 50%.

From this role, I joined the Teesdale Enterprise Agency in 1999 as Chief Executive and managed our merger with the Wear Valley Development Agency.

We now operate as one organisation, the Enterprise Agency for Wear Valley and Teesdale, our focus is to ensure that service provision meets the changing needs of local people & business.

My vision for the future of The Enterprise Agency is that it becomes a recognised 'Centre of Excellence for Business Support & Training'.

Sounds a high aim, but I know we've the team and the ability to make it happen.