Newcastle-based social enterprise PNE Group have welcomed a new member to its Board.
Irene Allcroft joins a strong Board of non-executive directors who will support the social enterprise to embark on its delivery of promoting positive social and economic change through enterprise development.
Irene, who also works as Interim Director through CapaCity Associates, brings to the board over 30 years’ experience working within strategic enterprise and innovation development in both the private and public sectors.
An experienced chief executive, Irene has supported a multitude of growth and diversification projects internationally throughout her career and has closely collaborated with a number of organisations and start-ups, identifying ways to raise investment and to innovate.
After spending a number of years in senior management positions in the oil and gas industry, and a period of 10+ years working in strategic management consultancy, Irene then started looking to invest in young technology companies and has previously served as an NXD of technology companies on behalf of investors. This led to her becoming involved as a founding Investor/Director of CatalySystems, an environmental technology company, which she led as CEO from 2012 until 2017. As Chief Executive, Irene secured over £2.1M of investment to develop a new energy efficient technology and oversaw the formation of a two-year technology partnership in India.
Commenting on her appointment to the board, Irene said: “What attracted me to PNE Group, is the way in which they have approached and built their business model over the years, adapting to change where necessary, without compromising their original aims and objectives as a not-for-profit social enterprise.
“The organisation works diligently to support enterprise development, and the global reach of the Group is credit to the team.
“I look forward to supporting the Executive team with their growth plans in key areas of their business to meet their future vision for the business.”
Welcoming Irene, Chair of the Board, Tim Smith, said: “We are delighted to welcome Irene, an experienced strategic Director, to the PNE Board. Throughout her impressive career, she has consistently proven her expertise in strategic enterprise and innovation development and is a fierce advocate for sustainable enterprise – a value that is at the heart of the Group.
“Her experience and expertise will be instrumental in driving the organisation forward, and her appointment to the Board will only further enhance the wide range of skills which the directors acquire.”