Mayor Ben Houchen
Tees Valley Mayor
Ben qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and practised corporate law, commercial law and commercial litigation for six years before running his own business. He was UK & European CEO of an international sportswear company. He was also leader of the Conservative Group on Stockton Borough Council from 2014 to 2017.
He was elected as the first Mayor of the Tees Valley in 2017 and was re-elected in 2021 with 73% of the vote. He was then elected for a third term in 2024 and currently continues to serve as the elected Mayor.
In his first term, Ben successfully delivered his manifesto pledge to save Teesside Airport from closure and is continuing to deliver the 10-year Rescue Plan for the airport.
He is responsible for establishing the first Mayoral Development Corporation (South Tees Development Corporation - Teesworks) outside of London, second only to the Olympic Park – which was set up for the 2012 Olympics. The Development Corporation is responsible for the regeneration of the largest brownfield site in western Europe, which has attracted billions of pounds in foreign direct investment and is creating thousands of manufacturing jobs in industries like offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon, capture and storage. He has also created two more Mayoral Development Corporations to help regenerate Middlesbrough and Hartlepool town centres.
Mayor Chris Cooke
Mayor of Middlesbrough
Prior to politics, Chris worked in local schools after gaining his degree in IT from Teesside University. Subsequently, Chris was elected as a ward councillor where he proudly represented and served the Newport community. During his four years as a councillor, Chris also worked as a community cohesion coordinator where he supported some of the most vulnerable people living in Middlesbrough.
As Mayor, Chris is determined to make Middlesbrough a healthier, safer and more ambitious town. This will continue to facilitate a climate in which existing and new employees, employers and businesses in the Tees Valley can prosper.
Imran Anwar
CEO, Alt Labs
With more than a decade of in-depth experience in Transport, Banking, Fintech, Retail, E-commerce and FMCG, Imran's strategic leadership has transformed Alt Labs into the go-to provider for startups to FTSE 100 companies. His extensive expertise encompasses Growth Hacking, Digital Transformation, Mobile Apps, SaaS, Big Data, and Web Development, demonstrating his ability to fuse pioneering strategies with practical solutions, which Microsoft and the BBC have featured.
As part of Imran's accomplishments at Alt Labs, he has become an integral pillar of the global tech startup community. His mentorship has nurtured the growth of more than 180 startups, guiding them in refining their technologies and securing more than £23million in contracts and VC funding.
In 2023, Imran launched Flok Co-Working Space in Teesside, a pioneering community of tech startups and established businesses looking at the future of office space. Flok hosted the first TedX Women outside of London in November 2023, with global speakers and an audience of 150 people.
Imran's visionary leadership has not only reverberated across SMEs and FTSE 100 institutions but has also been recognised nationally. Under his guidance, Alt Labs was honoured as the FSB's Largest Small Business of the Year 2023. Adding to its growing list of accolades, Alt Labs clinched the Tees Tech for Good award and Imran himself was celebrated as the Tees Valley BME Leader of the Year 2021.
Paul Bell
Client Services Director, Better Agency
From maritime and manufacturing to soft drinks and skincare, Better has partnered with a diverse range of local, national and international clients.
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Tony Grainge
Middlesbrough Councillor
Tony has a wealth of experience of working in the community for most of his working life. Most recently he has been working with the Tees Valley Community Church and helped to set up a community interest company and start a community café.
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Riaz Hameed
Business Owner
Riaz began his career by establishing a business in the hospitality and catering sector aged 20. Then, as a founding director of Hameed Holdings in 1997, he successfully managed multiple businesses, including providing serviced office accommodations, retail shopping parades, affordable housing schemes, Key Worker accommodation and hospitality venues.
From 1999 to 2006, he served as a Board Member and Director of the Middlesbrough Town Centre Company, helping facilitate substantial inward investment and job creation as a key decision maker in assessing grant applications for regeneration schemes – including a £249million inward investment project, creating 3,500 jobs. He has also been a panel member of organisations such as the Crime Reduction Partnership and was instrumental in launching the Middlesbrough Pub Watch scheme.
His drive to contribute to societal welfare led him to join the Lay Visitors Association (now the Independent Custody Visiting Association) at 21, becoming its youngest Vice Chair. This involved overseeing the welfare of detainees and providing critical advice to government and the local police authority. He was also a trustee of the West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust from 2010 to 2013, ensuring the financial stability and governance of the organisation, which managed £52million in New Deal for Communities funding.
In addition to his professional endeavours, he an active member of the BAME community, bringing valuable diversity and insight to any board.
Father Glyn Holland
All Saints Church
He was a Board Director of the Town Centre Company from its inception and served as Chair from 2001 until closure in 2007. He went on to Chair the Town Centre Partnership until 2016 and was also involved in scrutiny and evaluation of projects funded by SRB 6.
Glyn is involved in a number of community-based social action initiatives and has a real commitment to education as Chair of Governors at Archibald School and a Trustee of Endeavour Academies.
He is passionate about the town centre community and feels privileged to be part of a new chapter in the continuing emergence of Infant Hercules.
Martin Raby
Principal, Northern School of Arts
He has been the Principal at The Northern School of Art since 2008, and gained a PhD based on a case study at the institution. The School is a specialist institution delivering further and higher education courses at campuses in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. It holds Ofsted Outstanding ratings (2009, 2022) and Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold awards (2017, 2023).
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Stephanie Spensley
Business Owner
With 14 years of professional experience in central Middlesbrough, she is excited to bring her knowledge and deep-rooted passion for the community as she has dedicated her career to enhancing the town she proudly calls home.
Since the closure of her businesses in March 2020 due to the pandemic, Stephanie undertook a new project and vision in the transformation of 1 Albert Road, Middlesbrough - formerly Spensleys Emporium - which is now Bloom Show Hall & Eaterie. The exciting and bold pioneering venue provides a creative space for artists from music, theatre, comedy backgrounds as well as serving as a crucial networking hub for local businesses. The Grade II building underwent extensive internal and external improvements, coinciding with the restoration of the historic quarter project, in conjunction with Middlesbrough Council & Historic Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ).
Their second Covid project was the creation of Daisy Dukes Drive-In Cinema, growing from events in Redcar and Darlington to become the UK market leader. They also leased a new site in Ingleby Barwick to create Manjaros Kitchen and Cocktails - a great restaurant and takeaway business.
Their future projects include the expansion of Bloom, as they look forward to the final unveiling of Middlesbrough Historic Quarter with STACK, Middlesbrough Train Station and other exciting new businesses.
Stephanie and her husband have a lifelong goal to bring a rehabilitation centre into Tees Valley. From autumn Stephanie will work with CAP UK, providing debt help and support to those living in poverty via local churches.
Matt Storey
Cleveland Police & Crime Commissioner
Matt has worked in the public sector his entire career in the Office of Dari Taylor, Member of Parliament for Stockton South, as an officer at Middlesbrough Council and as Parliamentary Office Manager to Andy McDonald MP since 2012.
Matt has been a Councillor in Middlesbrough since 2016, representing Central Ward, and was Labour Group Leader between 2019 and 2023 and Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board until May 2024.
