Charlotte is an experienced facilitator, helping individuals and groups to explore innovation in context.
She supports start ups and SMEs to develop solutions to problems they face.
With a background in higher education and a PhD in responsible management education, Charlotte has experience working with a wide range of stakeholders.
Creating and delivering events and workshops to help them innovate and move ideas forward, with a focus on sustainability.

charlotte.hope@ruraldesigncentre.com

David has over 20 years’ experience in design and has worked in a wide range of areas in consultancy, education and collaboration. He has designed technical stuff like medical devices and scientific equipment, working for small regional charities to global corporations.

David cares a lot about designing things with the people that matter, the end-user(s). He is really excited to be working on the rural design project with a great team and helping to improve rural life.

Deborah is an experienced administrative facilitator who has helped to develop and deliver a number of projects spanning design, retail, ecommerce and construction.

She is responsible for a wide range of administrative duties to facilitate the delivery of this project.

Gary is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at Northumbria University. Previously he completed his PhD at the Centre for Rural Economy at Newcastle University and then spent 11 years at the University of Lincoln, initially in the Business School and then helping to establish their new School of Geography. 

Gary’s research expertise lies in the areas of rural entrepreneurship, rural development and counterurbanisation. Recent research includes a European project on sustainable coastal agricultural, a study for DEFRA on the changing dynamics of rural economies and smaller projects investigating rural transport innovations, the growth of co-working spaces and the impact of Covid-19 on agricultural shows.
 

Jamie has been working in the design industry for over 14 years and is very passionate about his work.

He has experience in various design disciplines, and his current focus is on digital experience and service design.

Jamie has worked across many sectors including; tech, higher education, local government, financial, healthcare, and the third sector.

He is enthusiastic about doing helpful design that will benefit people, communities and the planet.

Jude has over 20 years project experience in a range of North East Industries including 10 years heading Northumberland Tourism. She championed rural businesses as chair of the VisitEngland Rural Tourism Group and was on the Rural Growth Network (RGN) Executive followed by two years as RGN Manager.

jude.leitch@advancenorthumberland.co.uk

Katy is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of processes throughout all project delivery. She has an astute attention to detail and a passion for attainment and is looking forward to working as part of the Rural Design Innovation Project Team to help deliver support to the rural community.

Liz has always worked with start-ups and SMEs involved in developing innovation to pioneer new markets, for example electric vehicles, shared mobility and energy storage.

She has experience in building consortia from across industries to develop and deliver new projects, including funding searches and bid writing.

Liz will be working directly with SMEs to help deliver the innovative solutions that have been developed during the co-design process.

Lois is an experienced Project Manager who has been responsible for the delivery of a range of publicly funded projects, supporting SMEs from across the North East.

Lois is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all project activity is delivered in line with the obligations of the funders and that project objectives are successfully achieved.

As specialist in value innovation and as a member of the Design School Executive, he has undertaken leadership roles as Director of Taught Postgraduate, Head of Industrial Design and Director of Enterprise and Engagement and his research has contributed to all six of the University’s research submissions (2021, 2014, 2008, 2001, 1996 and 1992).

English’s work on relational problem framing has initiated new methods, new products and new intellectual property through an inclusive approach based on design-led entrepreneurship. A multiple perspective problem framing approach developed by English as part of a PhD by publication (2010) provides a transferrable innovation methodology that aims to reveal hidden value for both business and community.