Judges 2026

Our judging panels are made up of leading marketing and business professionals from across the North East region and beyond. The judging process is an integral part of the North East Marketing Awards, ensuring credibility, fairness and transparency throughout.

If you’d like to find out more about the judging process, please email us at info@northeastmarketingawards.co.uk

Jayne Andrews, Freelance Consultant

View Jayne’s Biography

​Dan Appleby, Managing Director, Drummond Central 

View Dans’s Biography

Cat Bramwell, Senior Consultant, Nigel Wright

View Cat’s Biography

Paula Brinson-Pyke, Head of Marketing, British Engines

View Paula’s Biography

Paul Cairney, Performance Marketing Lead, Sage

View Paul’s Biography

 

Ben Cook, Deputy Director of Ext Affairs, Sunderland Uni

View Ben’s Biography

​Chris Coulson, Marketing Director, Fairstone Group

View Chris’ Biography

Chris Fletcher, CMO, Visualsoft

View Chris’ Biography

Matt Forster, Associate Director, Gardiner Richardson

View Matt’s Biography

Michele Gettins, Chief Marketing Officer, IAM Property

View Michele’s Biography

Kieron Goldsborough, CEO, Different Narrative

View Kieron’s Biography

Louise Harris, Head of Marketing, The Inn Collection Group

View Louise’s Biography

Dale Gorley, Director of Marketing, Ward Hadaway

View Dale’s Biography

Alex Hirst, Group Sales & Marketing Director, Pneuma Group

View Alex’s Biography

Scott Holland, Freelance Consultant

View Scott’s Biography

Anna Howes, Freelance Consultant

View Anna’s Biography

Nicola Irving, Chief People & Brand Officer, Openworks Engineering

View Nicola’s Biography

Chris Kent, Associate Director, Nigel Wright

View Chris’ Biography

 

Rachel McBryde, McBryde & Co

View Rachel’s Biography

 

Jodie Balmer, McBryde & Co

View Jodie’s Biography

 

Sarah McCourt, Head of Communications and Marketing, Nexus
 View Sarah’s Biography

 

David McNiven, Marketing Director

View David’s Biography

 

Chris McShane, Marketing Director, Printed.com

View Chris’ Biography

 

Sasha O’Neill, Freelance Consultant

View Sasha’s Biography

 

Kirsty Ostell, MD

View Kirsty’s Biography

 

Sam Patterson, Marketing and Commercial Leader, FOOTY.COM

View Sam’s Biography

 

Stacey Ridley, Senior Marketing Manager, Womble Bond Dickinson

View Stacey’s Biography

 

Laura Sharp, Marketing Director, Newcastle School for Girls

View Laura’s Biography

 

Jess Sinton, Principal Consultant – Marketing, Nigel Wright

View Jess’ Biography

 

Gill Smith, Freelance Consultant

View Gill’s Biography

 

Terry Stephenson, Sunderland AFC

View Terry’s Biography

 

Sophie Tunnah

View Sophie’s Biography

 

Steve Underwood, MD, Bonded Agency

View Steve’s Biography

 

James Watson, Head of Marketing, Nuby

View James’ Biography

 

Ben Whitfield, Marketing Director, NE1

View Ben’s Biography

 

 

Chris Wragg, Danesmoor Group

View Chris’ Biography

 

 

Lynsey Wilson, Head of Customer Brand and Marketing Operations, True Potential

View Lynsey’s Biography

 

 

Jayne Andrews, Freelance Consultant

Jayne has over 30 years’ experience in marketing and is now a Freelance Consultant.

Based in Hexham, she previously worked in London, Sydney and Miami, building brands across diverse sectors.

Her career spans loyalty programs for T-Mobile and O2, Safe Sex Campaign partnerships for the UK Government, and a Marketing Director role in online dating. 9 years in the travel industry - In 2013 she launched Carnival Cruise Line in Australia and New Zealand, then moved to Miami in 2019 to lead the North American brand. She steered Carnival through the pandemic, relaunching post-Covid, before returning to the UK in 2021. Since moving to the North East, she has worked with Opencast software, and was Marketing Director for Fentimans for 3 years. Current clients include an Italian based Bread Ingredient Manufacturer in the GLP space, and a Leeds tech company. 

 

 

 

 

Dan Appleby, Managing Director, Drummond Central

With 25 years in creative agencies, Dan began his career in London before returning to his native North East.

Drummond Central, which Dan has led for the last 8 years, is a 100% employee-owned agency trusted by famous brands like Greggs, bet365, Triumph Motorcycles, Dreams, Dr. Oetker, Jack Daniel’s and HelloFresh amongst others.

Dan has been an elected member of the IPA Council since 2020 and was awarded a lifetime Fellowship (FIPA) for his contribution to the organisation and the wider industry. He’s a passionate believer in the power of creativity to grow businesses and a proud advocate for Northern marketing, having once been told he was “committing career suicide by leaving London

Cat Bramwell, Senior Consultant, Nigel Wright

Cat has joined Nigel Wright with over 15 years of experience in the retail sector, primarily operating Pandora Franchise stores throughout the North East of England, helping to grow the brand, develop the ecommerce presence and establish excellence across the customer experience. Cat now sits within the Sales and Marketing team specialising in junior marketing roles across sectors within the North East of England.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paula Brinson-Pyke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Cairney, Performance Marketing Lead, Sage

Paul recently re-joined Sage, the global leader in accountancy software as Marketing Lead for its Accountants segment. With over 20 years of senior marketing experience across a range of sectors, he has worked with prominent brands including Royal Bank of Scotland, The Co-operative Bank, MBNA, United Utilities and Newcastle Building Society.

Paul’s expertise spans both B2B and B2C marketing, giving him a unique ability to navigate various markets and craft exceptional customer experiences. A passionate advocate for the North East, Paul is committed to working with purpose-driven organisations that aim to make a positive impact. He currently serves on the Board of Darlington Credit Union.

 

 

 

Ben Cook. Deputy Director of Ext Affairs, University of Sunderland

Ben has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing, working for major global brands including UNIQLO and Costa Coffee. His career spans both agency and client-side roles, with expertise in managing multiple international markets, CRM, loyalty, and digital strategy. At UNIQLO, he helped relaunch the brand in the UK and later led digital marketing across nine European markets. Passionate about developing and growing brands, Ben is now Deputy Director of External Relations at the University of Sunderland, where he focuses on shaping and strengthening the university’s brand and reputation.

 

 

 

Chris Coulson, Marketing Director, Fairstone Group

Chris Coulson is Marketing Director at Fairstone Group, one of the UK’s largest wealth management and financial planning firms, and a judge for the North East Marketing Awards. A marketing specialist with a broad range of experience across sectors, Chris has built and led effective marketing teams that deliver on both strategic and commercial goals. Based in the North East but active across national and international markets, his work spans acquisitions, brand integration, and large-scale campaigns. He brings a clear, practical perspective on marketing’s role in business growth to the judging panel.

Chris Fletcher, CEO, Visualsoft

A seasoned commerce leader, Chris combines extensive retail experience from brands including Berghaus and Barker and Stonehouse with a transformative decade at Visualsoft, where he now serves as CEO. His hands-on journey through operations, client development, and project management provides a unique, 360-degree understanding of digital commerce challenges. This background, rooted in both client-side and tech leadership, fuels his drive to empower retailers with the tools and strategic vision needed to thrive online, delivering innovation and tangible growth.

Matt Foster, Associate Director, Gardiner Richardson

Matt is a creative brand strategist and part of the senior leadership team at Gardiner Richardson, a Newcastle based brand communications agency working regionally, nationally and internationally with a wide range of brands including RIBA, Akzo Nobel, Ringtons, Newcastle Building Society, Northumbria University, Newcastle Airport and Newcastle City Council. He is also a board member at regional writing development agency New Writing North.

Michele Gettins, Chief Marketing Officer, iamproperty

Michele joined iamproperty in 2019 to lead and grow the group’s Marketing function. An experienced senior leader with a strong strategic marketing and commercial background in both B2C and B2B, Michele has a proven track record of delivering results. Now as Chief Marketing Officer, Michele is accountable for building an A+ team and overseeing all aspects of marketing. She is passionate about putting customers at the heart of everything the business does, using customer and consumer insight to support innovation and brand differentiation as key drivers of business and category growth.

 

 

 

Kieron Goldsborough, Chief Executive Officer, Different Narrative

Kieron is CEO of the agency Different Narrative and has over 25 years' experience in leading marketing and communications campaigns for clients at a regional, national and international level. A qualified and experienced Creative Director and marketeer, with current positions at the Northern School of Art, The Northern Film & TV Studios and is a previous City Head for the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.He is also Co-Founder for the Marketing Attribution platform Marketing Engine. Currently in its Beta stage Kieron is working with an exclude set of users to prepare the platform for full commercial release later this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Louise Harris, Head of Marketing, The Inn Collection Group

Louise is an award-winning senior marketing leader with over 25 years’ experience driving digital transformation and commercial growth across hospitality and consumer-facing industries.  Currently Head of Marketing at The Inn Collection Group, she has delivered a brand-wide rebrand, launched a successful loyalty programme, and led digital initiatives that drove record-breaking revenue growth.  Previous senior roles include Pink Boutique and Tommee Tippee, where Louise delivered global e-commerce expansion and won a DMA Digital Award. Named North East Marketing Leader of the Year 2024, she is recognised for building high-performing teams and delivering measurable commercial impact.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dale Gorley, Director of Marketing, Ward Hadaway

Dale Gorley is Director of Marketing at Ward Hadaway, a Top 100 UK law firm headquartered in Newcastle. He has more than a decade of experience in professional services marketing with particular expertise in brand, strategy and integrated campaigns.

A true generalist, Dale has experience across the full marketing mix from PR and events to digital, content and client engagement. He is also leading the firm's marketing transformation including the development of its MarTech stack. His focus is on bringing marketing and business development together as one commercial effort, backed by insight.

Before joining Ward Hadaway, Dale held senior marketing roles at Womble Bond Dickinson. He holds Mini MBAs in Marketing and Brand Management.

 

 

 

Alex Hirst, Group Sales & Marketing Director, Pneuma

Scott Holland, Freelance Consultant

Scott Holland is the founder of Scott Holland Consulting, an advisory practice working with private equity investors and growth businesses on commercial due diligence, sales strategy, and marketing effectiveness — supporting businesses at both the pre- and post-investment stage.

With over two decades of senior leadership experience, Scott has spent his career building and running sales and marketing functions across digital agencies, e-commerce, and high-growth businesses. An agency background that includes scaling the new business function at Mediaworks to £10m annually has been the foundation for an advisory practice that has since worked with businesses including Power Tool World, WTTB, Digital Lighthouse, and Peacocks Medical Group.

Most recently Marketing Director at Henderson Design Group, the North East-headquartered home decor brand group behind I Love Wallpaper, Lust Home, and Lucie Annabel — three very different consumer brands trading across Europe and the US through direct-to-consumer e-commerce and digital channels.

He is based in the North East and serves as a Trustee and Non-Executive Director at Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Anna Howes, Freelance Consultant

 

Nicola Irving, Chief People & Brand Officer, OpenWorks Engineering

Nicola is Chief People & Brand Officer at OpenWorks Engineering, working in the international defence sector to provide AI-powered vision systems that defeat drones and other dynamic threats. Currently studying towards an MBA at the University of York with a particular personal focus on the strategic value of brands, Nicola has committed to continuous learning since graduating from Newcastle University with a degree in French, German and Spanish. Nicola is a director and trustee at Tyneside Women’s Health, where she is leading on brand definition and stakeholder engagement, and attends to strategy, governance and finance matters with her fellow board members.

 

 

 

 

Chris Kent, Associate Director, Nigel Wright

Chris joined Nigel Wright in 2015 following 10 years in the industry, to be part of the new management team to set up the Nigel Wright Teesside office. Chris is a part of the Management Team of the Nigel Wright Northern Regional Business and has a personal focus on senior and director level commercial appointments for B2B clients. Chris predominantly provides retained searches for niche and sector specific appointments with regional, national and international remits. His expertise is in supporting CEOs, MDs and Sales / Commercial / Marketing Directors successfully grow their teams to drive profitable business growth and he has experience working with owner managed SMEs, privately owned national / global corporate groups and subsidiaries, listed companies and private equity backed organisations. The sectors that Chris works with include: • Oil and Gas • Defence and Aerospace • Engineering • Manufacturing • Chemical and Pharmaceutical • Construction • Transport / Logistics / Distribution • Packaging • Print and Direct Mail • IT / Technology • Public Sector – Commercial Strategic Environments The roles that Chris typically runs searches for include: • Managing Director / Business Unit Director / Commercial General Manager • Sales Director / Head of Sales • Commercial Director / Head of Commercial / Commercial Manager • Marketing Director / Head of Marketing • Account Director / Senior Account Manager • Head of Product Management / Product Manager • Sales Manager / Senior Business Development Manager • Bid / Proposal / Tender Management • Digital Director / Head of Digital / Digital Marketing Manager • Customer Service Director / Head of Customer Service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel McBryde, McBryde & Co

 

Jodie Balmer, McBryde & Co

Jodie Balmer is Director of Client Services at McBryde & Co, an award-winning B Corp communications agency based in the North East. With extensive experience across PR, marketing and strategic communications, Jodie leads the agency team and works with clients to develop insight-led, creative campaigns that deliver meaningful impact.

She holds a CIPR postgraduate diploma in Sustainability Communications and is passionate about purposeful communications, brilliant client work and developing talented teams. Having helped lead McBryde & Co to Agency of the Year at last years awards, Jodie is delighted to return to NEMA26 as a judge and celebrate the very best of the region’s marketing talent.

 

Sarah McCourt, Head of Communications and Marketing, Nexus

Sarah McCourt is Head of Communications and Marketing at Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive. She leads an award winning multi-disciplinary team, shaping some of North East England’s most high-profile brands.

Along with being CIM and CIPR qualified, she has had a career in communications and marketing spanning over 20 years, the majority of that in the housing sector.

Sarah was previously Head of Communications and Marketing at Sunderland based Gentoo Group before moving to Karbon Homes where she headed up the communications and marketing function and specialised in brand development and reputation management.

 

 

 

 

David McNiven, Marketing Director

David McNiven is a seasoned marketing professional with nearly 20 years of experience in digital and offline channels. He has held key roles at Wavemaker and Cairn Group and spent 5 years in a variety of global roles at Expedia Group in London.

 

 

 

 

Chris McShane, Marketing and Product Director, Printed.com 

With 20 years of marketing leadership experience, Chris McShane combines strategic vision with creative innovation. During his eight years as Marketing & Product Director at Printed.com, he used a customer-focused, data-driven approach to drive double-digit growth, lead product development, and expand into new markets. He is also known for fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture that encourages fresh ideas.

Chris's career includes senior marketing roles at HMV, Live Nation, and Ticketmaster. His entrepreneurial spirit and passion for design led him to co-found the interiors brand, The Curious Department.

Outside of work, he and his husband are enjoying life as new dads.

 

 

 

 

Sasha O’Neill, Freelance Consultant

With senior leadership experience spanning education, housing and utilities, she has also led marketing at Durham University, Bellway Homes and Northumbrian Water, shaping strategy and delivering campaigns that make an impact. She believes the best marketing is both art and science, blending creativity with commercial focus, and is passionate about championing talent and ideas across the North East.

 

 

 

Kirsty Ostell, MD

 

Sam Patterson, Marketing and Commercial Leader, FOOTY.COM

Sam Patterson is a marketing and commercial leader with over 20 years' experience across digital, brand and content, spanning sport, culture, fashion and e-commerce. Sam began her career at END. Clothing, growing its global social audience, before moving into arts marketing at Sage Gateshead. As Marketing and Commercial Director at FOOTY.COM she led campaigns and partnerships with global sports brands including Nike and adidas. Sam is a trustee of the National Football Museum and is a regular media contributor on football culture. She’s also a co-founder of Nutmeg Salad, a football culture publication.

 

 

 

Stacey Ridley, Senior Marketing Manager, Womble Bond Dickinson

Stacey is Senior Marketing Manager at international law firm, Womble Bond Dickinson, where she leads strategic marketing campaigns that help connect clients, colleagues and communities. With a passion for creative storytelling and delivering measurable impact, she has built her 20 year career across brand, communications and events within professional services and regulated environments, including roles at Fairstone, Square One and the RIBA. Stacey is passionate about championing the people, ideas and campaigns that make the region such a vibrant place to do business.

 

 

Laura Sharp, Marketing Director, Newcastle School for Girls

Laura is an experienced marketing and communications leader with over 18 years in transport, higher education, and the public sector. She has led award-winning campaigns that rebuild reputation, grow ridership, and champion inclusion. Her expertise spans customer-centric strategy, multi-channel campaigns, brand development, internal communications, and stakeholder engagement. Laura began her career agency-side before leading major projects at Nexus and Newcastle University. Passionate about creativity, community impact, and team development, she thrives on using marketing to drive meaningful change and inspire others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jess Sinton, Principal Consultant, Marketing , Nigel Wright

Jess joined our team in January 2021. Her focus is on mid-senior Marketing recruitment across retail, FMCG, professional services and tech industries. Originally from Newcastle, Jess studied Geography and Sociology at Sheffield University, gaining a BA Hons. She then moved to London in 2010 where she spent 6 years as a Retail Marketer for the likes of Links of London and Jaeger. In 2016, Jess moved into Recruitment, specialising in retail marketing recruitment. As Senior Consultant, she worked with high-profile high-street retailers, hospitality brands and consumer household name brands on mid to senior roles. After 4 years, Jess decided to move back to the North-East by joining our team here at Nigel Wright.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gill Smith, Freelance Consultant

 

Terry Stephenson, Sunderland AFC

 

Sophie Tunnah, Freelance

 

 

Steven Underwood, Managing Director, Bonded

Steve is Founder & Managing Director at Bonded digital & media agency, with over 20 years in the industry, working with global brands through to ambitious start-ups.

Steve believes connection with people is the future of business communications; ‘in an ever changing fast paced world the importance of people has not changed; this is the constant.’

In addition to his role at Bonded, Steve has a passion for helping NE businesses grow & thrive. Steve is an advisor and mentor to other businesses and is chair of the NABS NE Committee.

 

 

James Watson, Head of Marketing, Nuby UK LLP

James entered the wonderful world of marketing at the same time that Guinness put a Polynesian surfer on our TV screens to the beat of Leftfield’s Phat Planet.  And as tik followed tok, James clocked his own path through Formula 1, football, cycling and indeed all sports through his roles at Haymarket Media, E.ON, Umbro (Nike Inc), Paddy Power, Science in Sport and Endura.

In the summer of 2022, James left London and moved permanently to the North East in search of fresh air, hills and a dog, achieving all three KPIs, and getting married for bonus points.

Now at local brand Nuby, James is keen to support and develop the next generation of brilliant talent in the North East.

Ben Whitfield, Marketing Director, NE1

 

 

 

 

Chris Wragg, Danesmoor Group

 

 

 

 

Lynsey Wilson, Head of Marketing Operations & Transformation, True Potential

Lynsey Wilson is Head of Customer, Brand and Marketing Operations at True Potential. Her role brings together customer insight, brand strategy, marketing technology and operational excellence, with a focus on creating better experiences for clients and advisers.

Lynsey was previously Head of Customer Experience at Sainsbury’s Bank and has almost 20 years’ marketing experience across retail banking, tourism and retail.