Senior Business Advisors play a key role in supporting the growth and resilience of businesses across North Yorkshire. They provide specialist, high‑level guidance to new and established businesses, helping them navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and plan for long‑term success.
Their role typically includes:
- One‑to‑one expert advice on business planning, growth strategy, finance, innovation, skills, and productivity.
- Connecting businesses with relevant support programmes, funding options, training, and local or regional initiatives.
- Helping organisations access and understand council services, such as licensing, Trading Standards, environmental health, planning, and regulatory requirements.
- Signposting to local and national partners, including universities, skills providers, Growth Hub resources, and sector‑specific networks.
- Supporting start‑ups, scale‑ups, and SMEs to overcome barriers, improve operations, and unlock opportunities.
- Acting as a strategic link between businesses and the wider economic development landscape, ensuring local needs are understood and addressed.
Senior Business Advisors ensure that businesses across North Yorkshire receive practical, tailored, and proactive support, fostering a strong and thriving local economy.
Meet the Team
The Economic Development team is a highly experienced group supporting inward investment, business growth, and economic development across North Yorkshire. Collectively, the team brings decades of expertise across sectors including economic development, retail, commercial banking, consultancy, and grant funding, so are ideally placed to support you on your journey of investing in North Yorkshire.
Working closely with partners and stakeholders, the team delivers strategic guidance to help businesses invest, expand, and thrive, contributing to North Yorkshire’s Economic Growth Strategy.
Sue White
Economic Development Manager
About Sue
Sue is an experienced economic development specialist with a strong background in inward investment and regeneration; she has led major strategic programmes and developed evidence‑based policies to drive key sector growth.
As Economic Development Manager, she leads North Yorkshire’s inward investment and business support work, collaborating with partners to attract investment and deliver the region’s Economic Growth Strategy.
Matthew Dutchak
Senior Economic Development Officer
About Matthew
Matthew is an experienced inward investment professional focused on attracting investment to North Yorkshire and supporting major strategic sites. He brings strong regional investment expertise and has contributed to key initiatives such as the UK’s first Investment Zone.
Alison Littlewood-Laws
Senior Economic Development Officer
About Alison
Alison focuses on inward investment activity and wider economic development across North Yorkshire, working with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to support delivery of the county’s Economic Growth Strategy.
She brings significant experience in the UK and international retail operations sector, along with experience in business support within North Yorkshire.
Neil MacGillivray
Senior Economic Development Officer
About Neil
Neil has extensive experience in commercial banking, grant fund development and delivery, and business consultancy. He specialises in inward investment projects and supporting economic growth across all sectors in North Yorkshire collaborating with partners and key stakeholders to help deliver North Yorkshire’s Economic Growth Strategy.
Rebecca Micallef
Senior Economic Development Officer
About Rebecca
Rebecca has a professional background spanning planning, regeneration and economic development, and works with a wide range of stakeholders to support commercial development, attract investment, and drive economic growth, providing strategic input across major schemes and place‑based initiatives.
Sue White
Economic Development Manager
About Sue
Sue is an experienced economic development specialist with a strong background in inward investment and regeneration; she has led major strategic programmes and developed evidence‑based policies to drive key sector growth.
As Economic Development Manager, she leads North Yorkshire’s inward investment and business support work, collaborating with partners to attract investment and deliver the region’s Economic Growth Strategy.
Matthew Dutchak
Senior Economic Development Officer
About Matthew
Matthew is an experienced inward investment professional focused on attracting investment to North Yorkshire and supporting major strategic sites. He brings strong regional investment expertise and has contributed to key initiatives such as the UK’s first Investment Zone.
Alison Littlewood-Laws
Senior Economic Development Officer
About Alison
Alison focuses on inward investment activity and wider economic development across North Yorkshire, working with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to support delivery of the county’s Economic Growth Strategy.
She brings significant experience in the UK and international retail operations sector, along with experience in business support within North Yorkshire.
Neil MacGillivray
Senior Economic Development Officer
About Neil
Neil has extensive experience in commercial banking, grant fund development and delivery, and business consultancy. He specialises in inward investment projects and supporting economic growth across all sectors in North Yorkshire collaborating with partners and key stakeholders to help deliver North Yorkshire’s Economic Growth Strategy.
Rebecca Micallef
Senior Economic Development Officer
About Rebecca
Rebecca has a professional background spanning planning, regeneration and economic development, and works with a wide range of stakeholders to support commercial development, attract investment, and drive economic growth, providing strategic input across major schemes and place‑based initiatives.
Our Senior Business Advisors work with you to understand your challenges and priorities, and to connect you to teams within North Yorkshire Council who can support you on your business journey, teams like:
Trading Standards
Trading Standards help businesses and consumers save time and money with trusted advice on critical issues, from scams and fraud prevention to fair trading, product safety, and compliance, covering everything from buying second-hand goods and animal health to weights and measures and underage sales.
NYtech Cyber Security
NYtech is North Yorkshire Council’s specialist cyber security and digital forensics service, trusted by businesses and law enforcement since 2002. They provide expert solutions in digital forensics, data recovery, and cyber health checks to protect your systems and uncover critical evidence. Whether you need to secure your network, recover lost data, or safeguard against cyber threats, NYtech offers tailored, professional support that keeps your business safe and compliant.
Planning & Conservation
Our Planning and Conservation Service ensures sustainable development while protecting the county’s unique built and natural environment. From planning applications and permission guidance to conservation, heritage, and environmental protection, they provide expert support at every stage. Services include planning policy (including the emerging North Yorkshire Local Plan), building control, enforcement, developer contributions and more, helping you deliver projects that meet regulations and create lasting impact.
Health, Safety & Food Compliance
Our Environment and Neighbourhoods team is your trusted partner for compliance and best practice. They provide tailored advice on managing health and safety, occupational safety, and workplace-specific requirements, helping you create a safe, productive environment. For food businesses, they offer expert support on food safety, premises registration and approval, and conduct thorough inspections to keep your operations compliant and customer ready. With their guidance, you can focus on growth while they handle the details.
Licensing and Registration
Our Licensing and Registration team helps you stay compliant with quick, reliable licensing services for a wide range of business activities.
Services include:
- Alcohol, entertainment and gambling licences
- Taxi and private hire licensing
- Animal welfare and boarding licences
- Street trading and charity collection permits
- Registration for tattooing, piercing and beauty treatments
- Caravan site approvals
- Scrap metal dealer licences
- Fireworks sales permissions
Business Rates
Business rates, also known as National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR), ensure businesses contribute to the cost of vital local services. If you occupy a non-domestic property, these charges apply to you.
The business rates information can help you to
- Learn how business rates are calculated
- Get details on the non-domestic multiplier
- Access valuation guidance and FAQs
They can help you to stay informed and compliant.
Visit North Yorkshire
From the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales and the wild beauty of the North York Moors to our stunning coastline, North Yorkshire offers unforgettable experiences all year round.
Visit North Yorkshire is more than just an information hub; it’s your gateway to everything this incredible destination has to offer. As the county’s official Destination and Marketing Service, they work to grow North Yorkshire’s visitor economy by attracting guests who stay longer, explore further, and experience more.
Meet North Yorkshire
Meet North Yorkshire is the official Convention Bureau for the county, helping businesses discover and secure the ideal venues for meetings, conferences and corporate events. It offers personalised venue recommendations, expert event‑planning support and access to a diverse range of spaces, from historic buildings to unique scenic locations, designed to make business events memorable and effective.
Culture
North Yorkshire Council’s cultural function drives the county-wide Cultural Strategy, using the region’s rich heritage and creative assets to support economic growth. It works with national and local partners to strengthen the creative sector, unlock funding, promote culture‑led regeneration, and widen access to skills and cultural opportunities. For businesses, this creates a vibrant, innovative environment that attracts talent, supports collaboration and adds value to the local economy.
Libraries
Looking for the perfect place to start or grow your business? North Yorkshire libraries offer more than just books; they’re your local business hub. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, computer access, and essential services like printing, scanning, and photocopying (some charges may apply). Need tech support? Many libraries have friendly volunteer IT buddies ready to help.
Planning a meeting or event? North Yorkshire’s libraries feature professional meeting spaces, with rooms to hire for up to 50 people.
Thinking of starting a business? They’ve got the resources to turn your idea into reality. As a library member, you’ll get free access to The Complete Business Reference Advisor, a website packed with over 4,000 factsheets, market reports, funding sources, and practical guides for launching more than 350 types of businesses.
Adult Education and Training
Take your business to the next level with our flexible skills development programmes, from essential foundation courses to tailored training designed for your staff.
The Adult Education and Training team offer
- Customised learning to meet your business goals
- Expert support from our Learner Engagement Officers
- Convenient drop-in sessions for quick advice
They can help you to Invest in your people and strengthen your business