Heidi Mottram is Vice Chair of he North East Local Enterprise Partnership, and Chief Executive Officer of the Northumbrian Water Group Limited and Northumbrian Water Limited. 

Heidi's career began with British Rail in the mid-1980s.  She progressed through a variety of senior leadership roles in British Rail and,  following privatisation,  a series of UK train operators. Heidi was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list 2010 for services to the rail industry and a CBE in the Birthday Honours list 2018 for services to the water industry and business community.

Under her leadership Northumbrian Water Group achieved the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of Sustainable Development in 2014, and has been the only water company to be listed on the World’s Most Ethical companies list ten times. 

Cllr Graeme Miller was appointed Leader of Sunderland City Council in May 2018.  He was first elected to the council in 2006 to represent Washington South ward where he is also school governor.  Before becoming Leader,  Graeme was the Cabinet’s portfolio holder for Health, Housing and Adult Services.  Graeme is particularly passionate about mental health as the basis for good overall health and wellbeing and he is a Health and Mental Health Champion for the city.

Graeme is a member of City Hospitals Sunderland Foundation Trust’s Council of Governors and Chair of Age UK Sunderland.  He also represents the council and city on a number of bodies and organisations including the North East Combined Authority Leadership Board and North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

As Leader,  Graeme's focus is continuing to work in partnership on the city’s economic regeneration,  building on progress in relation to housing and infrastructure development and skills and employment opportunities.

After leaving school at 16,  Jamie returned to education as a mature student to gain an engineering degree at Northumbria University.  He worked as an engineer making breathing apparatus and in the electronics and IT sector,  later setting up his own software development firm. 

Before being elected to the Office of Mayor,  North of Tyne,  Jamie was a Labour and Cooperative Councillor in the Monument Ward in Newcastle City Centre.  A passionate socialist,  Jamie is committed to driving forward his manifesto pledges around community wealth building,  addressing the climate emergency,  revitalising life in local communities,  building affordable homes and delivering lifelong learning for the people North of Tyne. 

Originally born on Teesside,  Jamie now lives in Gosforth with his wife Caroline who is a GP,  and sons Leon and Nelson.