Rachel Turnbull, CEO of the TT2 Limited, the company that runs the Tyne Tunnels, has been awarded the much coveted Chartered Director status by the Institute of Directors (IoD), the UK’s longest running organisation for professional leaders.
Rachel, a chartered accountant by profession, oversaw the project finances and construction of the second Tyne Tunnel, which was completed in 2011. A graduate of Northumbria University, she originally joined the tunnels as a Financial Controller, before become Chief Finance Officer, and then CEO. She is a member of the Northern Counties branch of the IoD.
There are currently fewer than 1,000 Chartered Directors worldwide, and just a handful in the North East region, of which Rachel is the youngest, and one of just two women to hold the qualification.
The IoD is the UK’s longest running organisation for professional leaders, dedicated to encouraging entrepreneurial activity and promoting responsible business practice, for the benefit of the business community and society as a whole. It supports 34,500 members through 48 regional branches across the UK, and seven branches overseas.
Rachel Turnbull said: “It is a great honour to be awarded Chartered Director status. This is not only a great personal achievement but a big positive for TT2 too, our customers, investors, employees and other stakeholders can have confidence that our organisation is well led and committed to continuous professional development.
“As an employer we encourage and support our staff to improve their skills throughout their careers, and to strive for nationally recognised qualifications. From our apprentices, right up to our senior team, there is always room to take that next step and sharpen your skills.”
Graham Robb, North East Regional Chairman of the IoD said: “On behalf of the IoD I would like to congratulate Rachel on this well-earned mark of professionalism. This shows she is able to operate at a strategic and tactical level to establish and sustain growth within her organisation, and that she has a firm appreciation of all aspects of effective business leadership and sound corporate governance.
“Rachel’s achievements in business are made all the more impressive by the fact that she is in her 30s and has balanced her work life with the pressures of bringing up a young family. The North East’s boardrooms need more strong female role-models like Rachel, and the IoD is here to support both women and men in positions of business leadership.”