Peter has an MA Hons in Geography from Oxford University. He is currently MD of his own logistics business in Gateshead that he set up in 2014.
The first part of Peter’s business career was spent in marketing services in London. Having started on the graduate trainee programme at United Biscuits in 1987, he was then part of a start up marketing agency in 1990 that worked with well known consumer brands such as Coca-Cola, Sainsbury and Budweiser, specialising in marketing campaigns to make the most of brand sponsorships. The business was sold in 2000 to a PLC and after 5 years as MD, in 2005 Peter moved with his young family to Belsay, Northumberland.
Peter is passionate about all children having the opportunity to reach their potential, both inside and outside the classroom. He was previously involved in a charitable enterprise that provided out-of-school activities that helped in turn to improve attendance, behaviour and attainment.
Peter still lives in Belsay with his wife Laura. He has 3 children in their 20s, 2 of whom have started their careers in Paris and London respectively; the youngest is at Durham University. Peter is a season ticket holder at St. James Park and also loves cricket, whether playing at Belsay or watching England. Having now been in the north east for almost 20 years, Peter is very committed to the region: ‘I love the place, the passion of the Geordies and I just want to see us punch above our weight’.