At the North East Business Resilience Centre, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our team protects businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and The Humber from online crime and fraud, so we’re proud to introduce a few of the faces that make our work so impactful. Here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our team, in their own words.
Rebecca ChapmanCEO & Retired Superintendent
Why you are passionate about your role:
I love my role at the NEBRC. Having been in it since the start of the network I am really invested in its success and the team, far more than any other paid role I’ve ever been in really. The flexibility of a private limited company is that I’ve been allowed to let the creative juices flow and approach things in an innovative manner and really able to capture all the great ideas from the team I work with and implement them without delay. This unique centre has now gone from 0-4200 members over the last 5 years providing support and top tips in our newsletters and over 350 days in services supporting SME needs.
Where you can be found whilst at work:
You will find me either on a train up and down the region, or behind a desk with ear buds in, selling our concept to new members, board investors and partners or seeking new contracts for our student services. I’m passionate about what we deliver to SME’s and I think this shows in the growth we have and the fantastic team I work with who have stayed with the company over the years.
Your favourite memory from working at the NEBRC so far:
My favourite memory is our end of year receptions where all our partners, clients and police colleagues meet each year to celebrate our successes and journey- we have some great speakers, good food and drink and a sprinkling of festive spirit to end the year on a high before starting over after Christmas. All my other memories are of the team and how we work hard but have the best belly laughs.
Steve Leach
Director & Detective Inspector
Director & Detective Inspector
Why you are passionate about your role:
I have been in policing for nearly 30 years and for the vast majority of that in CID. Most of that time has been spent dealing with the aftermath of crime. Being part of the Centre and network, allows me time to focus on the stopping people becoming victims of crime, or at least reducing the impact of crime. The role is still challenging as I have to explain to people and businesses that the threat is very real, but at the same time help them understand and manage the risk, as well as explaining we are here to offer support and help them get to where they need to be.
Where you can be found whilst at work:
I’ll be on stage or driving somewhere in the North East, Yorkshire or The Humber presenting the threat landscape and support that the NEBRC can offer to an audience of SME’s. Or I’ll be involved in lots of different meetings about upcoming events, developing relationships or general governance of the business.
Your favourite memory from working at the NEBRC so far:
I never like questions like this, as I have lots of good memories involving all the team! Doing what we do with the right team is what makes it all worthwhile.
If I have to pick one, it’s probably hearing lan Dedicoat known by many as ‘The Voice of the Balls’ from the National Lottery announce that we had won the Outstanding Cyber Security Initiative 2021 from the OSPA’s. It was so funny to hear him say our business name followed by what we do, as well as it being a complete shock that we had won! This award was celebrated by everyone involved in the centre and put us firmly on the map.
Martin WilsonHead of Student Services & Detective Inspector
Why you are passionate about your role:
Crime prevention has always been at the heart of policing, and at the NEBRC, that’s exactly what we focus on – preventing crime through collaboration with our partners. What drives me is the opportunity to take a user-centric approach, especially with SMEs, helping them strengthen their security posture. I love knowing that the work we do genuinely makes businesses safer.
Where you can be found whilst at work:
You’ll usually find me out and about across the North East, meeting with clients and partners – I’m the only team member based up here, so I’ve got the region covered! When I’m not on the road, I’m often delivering cyber security presentations, training sessions, or engaging with students. And in between all that, I’m diving into my PhD research.
Your favourite memory from working at the NEBRC so far:
Watching students grow in confidence is incredibly rewarding. Seeing them come in unsure, then develop skills to support SMEs in becoming more cyber secure and ultimately go on to secure fantastic roles in the industry – that’s what it’s all about for me.
Lizzie Young
Operations and Relationships Manager
Operations and Relationships Manager
Why you are passionate about your role:
My role is particularly rewarding as I am regularly working with local SMEs to help them increase their understanding and awareness of cyber security and become safer from online crime. Another part of my role I am passionate about involves engaging with local universities and their students, providing programmes and initiatives which assist in coaching and mentoring the tech talent of the future.
Where you can be found whilst at work:
I’ll be found working from home with my Cocker Spaniel Freddie, or in the office organising the team to make sure that everything runs smoothly as Ops Manager!
Your favourite memory from working at the NEBRC so far:
I think winning our first ever award. We won Outstanding Cyber Security Initiative at the UK OSPAs back in 2021 after launching the year before. Back then we were a small team of 4 and the Centre was still very much working progress, so it was amazing to be recognised and awarded. I remember being sat with Becky, Steve and Martin and we were all buzzing! Fast forward to now, our team has doubled, and we have achieved so much since then including multiple awards!
Chantelle Whitham
Marketing and Communications Manager
Marketing and Communications Manager
Why you are passionate about your role:
I love my role at the NEBRC because it allows every day to be different. I thrive on meeting new people and as Marketing and Communications Manager in such a front facing role, I meet lots of businesses in need of support and many of them don’t even realise what is available to help keep them safe online. I’m also passionate about helping people as a previously self-employed beauty therapist, I can relate to the highs and lows of running a business.
Where you can be found whilst at work:
You can find me at most events that we host, present at and attend, usually behind the stall and speaking to as many businesses as I can to let them know what support we can offer them – for free! I’m also nearly always behind a camera in one way or another, taking selfies at events or in the office and making everyone get in pictures with me!
Your favourite memory from working at the NEBRC so far:
There are so many memories I don’t think I could pick an absolute favourite, every End of Year Reception holds a place in my heart because of the hard work that goes into them and it’s so rewarding getting all of our partners and stakeholders together in one room. I also have to mention winning Policing Team of the Year at the National Cyber Awards in 2022 was amazing, as we were still in our early years so to be recognised nationally for the work we are doing keeping businesses safe was so special.
Joe CockcroftService and Technology Supervisor
Why you are passionate about your role:
I’ve always been interested in computers, but it wasn’t until I started making websites and learning how to protect them that I found my passion for cyber security. It’s always been a part of what I love to do, and the fact I can help businesses and people stay safe from online crime just makes my job even more rewarding.
Where you can be found whilst at work:
I’m usually in the office or at home delivering assessments for SME’s and supervising our team of 31 students, but mostly I’m on hand answering technical queries and issues around our IT hardware, website or CRM for the team keeping them secure and up to date.
Your favourite memory from working at the NEBRC so far:
My favourite memory with the NEBRC has to be when I did a presentation on stage at the Williams F1 Conference Centre. Our board members from Acronis asked us to come along and present what we do and deliver some case studies to their MSP’s.. We were given a tour of Williams’ collection of F1 cars afterwards, so being a big F1 fan this was definitely a highlight.
Lydia Stone
Business Assistant
Business Assistant
Why you are passionate about your role:
I enjoy being able to connect and communicate with new people especially with people who I wouldn’t usually come into contact with or typically speak with outside of work. I also love the fact that our company helps small and medium businesses in my local area, it makes me feel like I am positively contributing to my community and society.
Where you can be found whilst at work:
I can usually be found at my desk writing out to our new members, designing graphics to promote content on social media and in our communications and a big part of my role is data cleansing our CRM to make sure our members receive tailored, suitable information.
Your favourite memory from working at the NEBRC so far:
My favourite memory from working at the NEBRC so far is the End of Year Reception. It was an amazing event where I got to meet a lot of our partners, friends and clients in a professional but also easy going way. I loved being able to see the NEBRC’s achievements and being able to spend time with my colleagues in a fun and relaxed environment. After the event I felt very close with the team which was a big thing to me as I was fairly new at the time.
Now that you’ve met the team, we hope you feel a little more connected to the faces behind the NEBRC. We’re always open to a chat, you can contact the team at any time here for any cyber security support, partnership queries or general information!