North East BIC, a Sunderland-based business support organisation, has named Société BIC North Europe commercial director Brett Griffiths as its next chief executive, starting 1 October. He succeeds Paul McEldon, who is retiring after 25 years in the role and 32 years with the organisation overall.

Griffiths brings more than 26 years of commercial leadership experience across Africa, the Middle East, the UK and northern Europe. He has lived in County Durham since 2020 and sits on the board of Enactus UK, a charity supporting student entrepreneurship. "The North East BIC is a purpose-driven organisation, which aligns perfectly with my values," he said.

McEldon, who received an OBE in 2021 for services to local growth in the North East, joined the BIC in 1994 and became chief executive in 2001. Under his leadership, the organisation says it has supported more than 1,100 companies through its business centres and helped over 8,000 people start or grow a business, contributing more than £2.5 billion to the regional economy over three decades, according to its own impact reporting.

McEldon will stay in post through the handover before moving into non-executive board roles. BIC chair Kevan Carrick said Griffiths has "demonstrated an incredible ability to drive both business and social growth" and would help advance the organisation's next strategy.

North East BIC provides workspace, mentoring and innovation support to help regional businesses start up and grow.