ONE of the North-East’s most respected business leaders, Lucy Armstrong, has been given a challenging new role by Newcastle University.

Lucy – currently chief executive of The Alchemists, an organization that works with fast-growing, entrepreneurial companies - has been named as the 11th David Goldman visiting professor of innovation and enterprise at Newcastle University Business School.

The David Goldman Endowment was established at the Business School in 2001 to create a legacy in memory of David Goldman, founder of software company Sage Group Plc. Lucy will be officially welcomed into the role on March 19 at the annual Goldman Lecture. This will see her take charge of a 12-month tenure to shape and develop the understanding of enterprise and innovation, both inside and outside the Business School walls.

During her hour-long talk, Lucy will lay out her plans for the year ahead, when she will look at the challenges of succession and growth, with a particular focus on family businesses and export.

Lucy brings with her a wealth of expertise and a formidable CV. Working across a variety of business, policy and educational arenas, she was chair of Capital for Enterprise, responsible for over £4bn of government backed debt and equity support to business, and chair of the CBI’s national Small and Medium Business Forum from 2010 to 2013. Lucy also chairs an angel investment network and is the deputy chair of NCFE, the national qualifications organization.

Lucy will succeed Roy Sandbach, previously Proctor and Gamble research fellow and currently leading the North East LEP innovation programme, as the David Goldman visiting professor.

Lucy Armstrong said: “This is an exciting time to be taking up my role. The Business School has an enviable reputation and I am convinced that by focusing on planning for succession as a route for growth we will be able to increase the understanding of the potential that exists in established businesses. It is vital to look beyond the innovative start ups and encourage the innovative second and third generations of owners and managers.”

The Goldman endowment provides funding for: a permanent professorship role within the business school; the David Goldman visiting professor of innovation and enterprise; a David Goldman doctoral studentship, and the annual David Goldman lecture.

The Business School’s permanent David Goldman professor of innovation and enterprise Savvas Papagiannidis, said: “I am delighted to welcome Lucy to this role. With her strong credentials she is set to continue the Goldman endowment’s reputation of engaging highly regarded business leaders while imparting well-rounded knowledge. “Over the past year we have learnt a great deal from Roy’s expertise and thank him for his time and dedication to the role. “The Business School is looking forward to the year with Lucy, where we can continue to build excellence across pedagogy and real business practice.”

David Goldman visiting professor 2013-14, Roy Sandbach said: “I have had a thoroughly rewarding year at the Business School. Sharing a lifetime of innovation experience with students and staff, engaging with businesses across the region, supporting innovation conferences and helping to inspire schoolchildren in a university of possibilities….who could wish for more? To book a free ticket to the Goldman Lecture email: bsevents@ncl.ac.uk