Lee Perkins, Managing Director, Small Business Division, Sage UK Ltd
Lee started with Sage UK in July 2011. He is the managing director of Sage UK’s Small Business Division which has over 1000 people based almost entirely in the UK office of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Prior to joining Sage from 2008 to 2011 Lee was Country Manager of the UK and Ireland for Computer 2000.
David Clarke, Sales and Marketing Manager, DFDS Seaways
David has over 16 years experience in B2C and B2B marketing strategy and development. He joined DFDS Seaways in January 2012 as Head of Marketing to drive the multi-channel marketing activity of the UK operation.
With a strong focus on digital and CRM, he has developed and delivered marketing communications in highly competitive sectors such as retail, travel and professional services.
Tanya Garland, Cool Blue
Tanya Garland launched Cool Blue in 1999. Operating nationally, its clients include Unilever, Johnson Matthey, Huntsman, Tempur, Barker & Stonehouse, Kromek, Nonlinear Dynamics and Newcastle University.
Offering PR, design and digital skills, Cool Blue is one of the very few agencies nationally to have truly integrated social media in its campaigns.
Cool Blue has been ranked as the UK’s number 1 PR agency by marketing commentator Drum (as well as being ranked in the UK’s top 20 for combined design, marketing and PR services).
Following university Tanya joined Hill & Knowlton in London, where she became European Account Director.
She returned to the region and worked with clients such as Amoco, BP, DuPont and Zeneca, sitting on DuPont’s UK Communications Board – the only external consultant to have done so.
Tanya was shortlisted for the North East Business Executive of the Year in 2009.