Simon Corbett (Chair)
BrightPeak
CRO
Simon is the founder of Orangebox Training Solutions, a training provider he built and successfully sold in 2025. He now serves as Chief Revenue Officer at BrightPeak, where he leads commercial growth across a group of national training providers. As Chair of the Hartlepool Business Forum, Simon works closely with local businesses and partners to drive economic growth, encourage collaboration, and expand opportunities across the region.
Haani Hasnain BSc PgD MBA FBAP (Vice Chair)
CEO & Chief Inspiration Engineer
Harmonised World Ltd
Haani has 25 years of directorships, senior leadership, management, mentoring and coaching experience delivering strategic planning, capacity building, implementation and partnership development, working in and with challenging goal-orientated fast paced private small to medium sized businesses with international operations. He is also Vice Chair of Business Forum, VC Hartlepool Pride in Place, Governor of Hartlepool FE College, Interfaith & Diversity Board Member, and Board Member of the Hartlepool Muslim Welfare Association and Salaam Centre Community Hub.
Gary Riches
Hartlepool College of Further Education
Deputy Principal and Chief Executive
A lifelong Hartlepool resident, Gary brings extensive expertise in apprenticeships, adult skills, commercial training, business development and student support. Gary is known for strong employer partnerships and a commitment to improving opportunities for local people. As a proud member of the Hartlepool Business Forum Steering Group, he works with partners to support enterprise, collaboration and the town’s long‑term growth.
Harrison Smith
Managing Director
Azalea Wealth Management
Azalea focusses on assisting both individuals and businesses with their financial planning needs with forward thinking and proactive advice. Harrison is passionately Hartlepool born and bred with a real desire to champion the fantastic business community right here in Hartlepool.
Matthew Pemrick
Cicor Hartlepool
Managing Director
Having operated at Senior Leadership level over the past 20 years in both SMEs and large multinational corporations, Matthew brings great experience in relation to entrepreneurship, operational excellence and leadership. Matthew is keen to support SMEs in these areas.
Paul Fraser
Rephrase PR & Media Services
Director
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in the media industry, Paul Fraser brings an understanding of storytelling, reputation management and regional networking to the Hartlepool Business Forum steering group.
Having spent two decades as a journalist Paul now specialises in helping local, national and international organisations bridge the gap between business goals and public perception through his agency.
Paul Lackenby MBA
QRS Precision & QRS Vertical
Co-owner and Director
Paul is a local family business owner and former Hartlepool College of Further Education engineering student who sees the town’s engineering heritage not as a relic of the past, but as the foundation for its future.. Committed to helping shape the next chapter of local growth, Paul looks forward to working with fellow steering group colleagues and forum members to support the continued development of the town’s engineering and business community.