RTC is a mission led company specialising in helping organisations to innovate, compete and grow across the North.  

Alan Reid, MBE, is a Chartered and member of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Alan has worked in various engineering and manufacturing industries and was a director and shareholder of an SME based in Lancashire for eight years.  He views this role at RTC North as an opportunity to combine his industrial and engineering design experience with the business growth support knowledge he has gained over the last few years. 

Katharine Paterson first came to the Northeast from Oldham in 1988 to undertake postgraduate studies at Newcastle University. Her love of the Northeast has kept her here, with a career spanning local government, higher education, and consultancy. She has worked in economic development, international student recruitment, she was part of the Innovation and Skills team at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and was latterly a Change Manager in the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University.  

However, her passion is her business, So To Company Ltd, which was set up following her, or rather her baby daughter’s, negative experience with a wooden-barred cot. Seeing no alternative to the wooden-barred cot on the market, she was driven to the point that, despite having no creative or design skills, she was inspired to create an alternative cot. In 2021 Katharine was awarded a prestigious Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award to help her get Karekot to the point of commercialisation, Katharine joins RTC North to support other businesses with the benefit of her experience and knowledge, in their own innovative journeys. 

Elle Coggins joins the marketing department to produce high quality, impactful designs for both digital and print. She will be showcasing her skillsets through various design platforms. Her creativity will feed through the company, bringing fresh new perspectives. 

Elle previously worked for UMi as a Junior Media and Content designer, working alongside the marketing, content, and events teams, to create engaging social graphics, large multi-media online publications, marketing materials and much more for a variety of different campaigns. Before working for UMi, Elle studied at the University of Sunderland and graduated during the pandemic in 2020 with a degree in Graphic Design.  

Jamie Ollivere, Chief Executive, said:   

“Whether supporting with innovation, supply chain development or growth coaching our advisors and coaches deliver great support to thousands of SMEs each year. 

We’re delighted to welcome Alan, Katharine and Elle to the team and are confident their collective skills and experience will be a great asset across the company.”