Dr Simon Goon, managing​ director, Business Durham 

WHEN Welshman Stewart Watkins stepped down as boss of Business Durham in July, to make way for West Midlandsborn Dr Simon Goon, he left a legacy of projects that helped bring thousands of jobs to the region.

His achievements can be seen throughout County Durham, in everything from Sedgefield’s thriving technology hub Netpark to Hitachi’s £82m investment in a new train factory at Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Watkins had no historic ties to the county, but his upbringing in the Welsh Valleys, an area renowned for coal mining, industrial hardships and stunning countryside, ensured that he quickly developed an understanding for the challenges County Durham faced, as well as an affection and passion for his adopted home.

Solihull-born Dr Goon has retained his Brummie brogue, despite living in the North- East since he gained his degree and PhD at Sunderland University, where he met his wife Nicky, who comes from Darlington, in the mid-1990s.

He has also retained an outsider’s ability to look at the county with a dispassionate gaze, which allows him to ask the types of questions that a local person might avoid, and to see things that those of us who hail from the county take for granted.

“I think Durham is too humble,” he said. “I don’t think it shouts enough about what it has to offer.

“We are competing for investment at a global level.

This is not the time to hide your light under a bushel.

“Perhaps we have been too focused in one particular sector historically. The world is different now.

“We need to make sure that businesses in priority sectors – that might be in the knowledge, digital or service economies, whether they are a start-up or employing a thousand people – get the appropriate support.”

He added: “Without compromising our existing strengths, we need to diversify.

Not just so we have a token presence in an area, such as digital, but a genuine capability.

“We need to create far more jobs. But wouldn’t any county say the same thing?

“Yes, but we really do need them here. Our need is greater than most.”

Dr Goon said the county has some great strengths, adding: “The deep and wide manufacturing supply chain and the skills and expertise that sector has built over many years should never be underestimated.

We need to treasure it and help it grow.

“But the county faces significant challenges too.

“We need to raise our profile.

We need to create a better story for Durham that convinces people to spend their money or bring their project to us and contribute to our economic growth.

“We want a bigger slice of the pie.

“Funding bodies, whether in Europe, the UK Government, or private investors, need to to look at Durham as a serious proposition.

“How we achieve that is one of the things I am starting to get my head around.

“One of the challenges that we face is that there are hotspots of economic activity spread out across the county.

“We have business parks in Consett, Newton Aycliffe, Durham City, Netpark, South Church (in Bishop Auckland) etc. How do we achieve greater connectedness across the county?

“I would admit that I don’t yet have all of the answers.”

Dr Goon’s scientific mind could be key to helping him find some of those answers.

After studying chemical and pharmaceutical science, he worked at Seal Sands Chemicals and later Rhodia Pharma Solutions, before joining One North East in 2005, where he became head of the business investment team.

“Something I learnt from my time at One North East is that you need everyone aligned,” he said. “We need to get all partners, both within and outside of the county, together to ensure they are all actively working for the good of Durham businesses. We need more coherence.

“Profile, proactivity and partnership. Those are the key things we need to focus on.”

Five minutes with Dr Simon Goon

Favourite North-East building and why? Durham Cathedral, the majestic nature of the building, the innovation being the first stone arched roof and the breath taking feeling that it invokes when one thinks about its history and the reasons for its existence.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? Waiter at the Metropole hotel in Solihull whilst doing A levels, a couple of hundred pound a month.

What is the worst job you've had? Working in a pub.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? A roast with lots of trimmings and bread and butter pudding.

What would your superpower be? Being able to read people’s minds.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party?  William Wilberforce, Dimitri Mendelev, Spike Milligan, Dave Brubeck.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much? Family holiday for three weeks in New England, USA a few years ago and it was a lot.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? @_BusinessDurham of course for info on the great things that are happening with business in Durham, although @madeupstats makes me laugh.

Favourite book? Anything by Peter F Hamilton, especially Nights Dawn trilogy.

When did you last cry? A couple of weeks ago, reading a report of Prisoners of conscience in North Korea.

What is your greatest achievement? Having a great family who hopefully will be better than me in the years ahead.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? There’s no such thing as a bad experience, only how you respond to it.

Favourite animal and why? I don’t really like animals, but we have a mad chocolate Labrador, called Alfie so I guess him.

Most famous person on your mobile phone? I don’t keep their numbers on the phone, in case it gets lost.

What was the last band you saw live? King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys.

Describe your perfect night in. Playing board games with the family, followed by a movie (if we can agree on something).

In another life I would be... A forensic pathologist.

Who would play you in a film of your life? Probably James Corden – he has the right shape if not the right hair cut.

What irritates you? People not caring about what they are doing.

What's your secret talent? It's so secret that even I don’t know it.