RTC North has appointed Andrew Buckley as its new CEO.

The former Membership Director at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, Buckley has been appointed as Chief Executive of innovation and technology transfer firm, RTC North.

Buckley will take over from the founder of RTC North, Gordon Ollivere MBE, as Chief Executive on November 1, 2016.

With a 30 year track record in marketing, sales, business development and general management, Buckley has been appointed to oversee the growth of the business and develop services to firms throughout the Northern Powerhouse.

Set up in 1989 in Sunderland, RTC was one of 12 Regional Technology Centres established around the country to help businesses develop new products and services by accessing expertise within regional universities.

Now, the company employs 65 members of staff at offices in Sunderland, Leeds and Daresbury (Cheshire) and delivers a mix of technology transfer, innovation and growth programmes for small companies.

At present, the firm delivers funded business support schemes including Innovate2Succeed, Designing Better Business, Enterprise Europe Network and NHS Innovations North.

RTC also supports the skills agenda and is home to one of a new network of STEM Ambassador Hubs set up to help promote careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths by engaging volunteer ambassadors from industry in school visits.

RTC has recently acquired Service Network, the North East’s voice for the professional, creative and technical sectors.

In 2016, RTC also launched a series of short course training masterclasses designed to help companies with everything fromBusiness Strategy and Making Innovation Happen to Understanding Your Export Potential.

Outgoing CEO, Gordon Ollivere MBE, commented: “Although our services are very diverse, ‘smarter use of technology’ in business and society remains at the heart of everything we do.  Of course I will miss the variety and the stimulus of working with such intelligent people but I am confident that Andrew will lead the company forward to achieve even greater success in the future.”