Cumbria continues to play a significant role in Britain’s energy and nuclear industry, and as the sector expands, the future for local businesses working within it looks very bright indeed.
Tens of thousands of local people are employed in the supply chain, from industry giants to the catering and cleaning contractors delivering essential services, and all those in between.
Around 250 of these businesses are members of Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC), an organisation that represents and supports the needs and interests of local businesses involved in the energy and engineering sectors.
By providing a collective voice and platform, BECBC helps members to achieve sustainable growth, long term prosperity and creates real value for local customers and communities.
Led by chief executive Dianne Richardson since 2021, the organisation hosts dozens of events throughout the year where members gather to network and hear from leading figures in the energy, education and professional services sectors.
Dianne was a member of BEBC for many years, representing various employers before being elected to the board in 2019 and appointed chief executive in 2021.
An expert in social value and a lifelong learner, her passion for the county’s local businesses and communities can be traced back to her West Cumbrian roots.
Dianne said: “I am extremely proud to lead this organisation, it has such a significant impact on the members we represent.
“There is a real sense of community between the businesses regardless of their size or sector, and I know how beneficial this is having been a member of the cluster in my previous roles.”
Working across multiple sectors over the years, including the civil service, local authorities, educational institutions and as a self-employed cafe owner, Dianne’s broad experience and local knowledge is the perfect combination to lead BECBC.
Dianne said: “I have a real passion for learning. I failed my A-Levels at Whitehaven Grammar School and I thought that university was never going to be an option for me, but I was wrong.
“When I went to work for Lakes College as a business account manager I realised that support was available to study a degree part-time with UCLan and I have continued to study and build my skill set since then.”
During her time working for Copeland and Allerdale district councils, Dianne was involved in introducing smoke-free legislation in 2006 where she enjoyed supporting local businesses and employers to understand and implement new rules and regulations.
A social value role with Balfour Beatty furthered her passion for supporting communities in West Cumbria and she later joined KBR as the social impact lead for PPP – a 20-year partnership between Sellafield Ltd and partners to transform major project delivery at the Sellafield site and creating a lasting and impactful legacy for local communities and employees.
“Every single role, qualification and place I have worked in has developed the experience and skills that led me to BECBC. I have always been fascinated by the potential of collaborative working and networking, and this is vital for our membership to help them thrive.
“Without doubt my most challenging experience was as a self-employed business owner running Richardson’s Tea Rooms in Whitehaven for five years. I understand the pressures of small business owners as well as the challenges facing the big industry employers and how national and international trends affect their projects and strategies,” said Dianne.
