Tracey Watson
CEO
Tracey brings a wealth of experience in international trade and publicly funded business support. She has over 22 years’ experience designing, managing and delivering grant and business advisory programmes, with extensive knowledge of UK and EU regulatory frameworks, funding compliance and assurance requirements.
Her international trade career spans back to the early 1990s, including roles as Export Sales Officer at Tioxide Europe Ltd, Logistics Manager at Oxford Chemicals, Head of the North East’s Regional International Trade Office, and as a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser.
This breadth of experience enables Tracey to deliver robust, compliant and practical support that meets the needs of public-sector funders while providing clear, accurate and meaningful guidance to businesses.
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Lynn Rutherford
Managing Director
Lynn brings extensive experience in international trade, regulatory compliance and the delivery of publicly funded business support. As a former Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser, she has supported businesses trading internationally, including providing practical trade guidance to Tees Valley-based companies both before and after the introduction of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Alongside her trade expertise, Lynn plays a key role in the management and delivery of grant-funded projects, supporting programme coordination, compliance, communications and stakeholder engagement to ensure funding objectives are met.
Lynn’s experience co-producing a specialist dangerous goods magazine with Tracey—an initiative that led to them both winning Female Entrepreneur of the Year Awards—underpins her role as Chief Editor of Horizon Magazine. Her earlier career in the insolvency sector further strengthens her expertise in risk, governance and ongoing compliance, helping businesses remain robust and compliant throughout their international trade journey.
John Christal
Non-Executive Director & Customs Compliance Specialist
With over 40 years of experience in international trade and logistics, John has built a career spanning the Royal Corps of Transport, chemical industry logistics, and roles as an International Trade Adviser, business consultant and trainer.
At Tees Global, John serves as a Non-Executive Director, offering strategic insight and expert advice to businesses engaged in international trade. His key specialisms include:
✅ Customs Compliance – Import/export audits, consultancy & regulatory advice
✅ Certified Trainer – Dangerous Goods by Road, Sea & Air (CAA-approved)
✅ Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser
✅ International Trade Training & Mentoring
John’s expertise helps businesses navigate customs regulations and optimise global trade operations.
Will Kiernan
Dangerous Goods Trainer/Forwarder
Certified Dangerous Goods Trainer and Import/Export Documentation Specialist with strong expertise in regulatory compliance and international trade operations. He supports businesses to safely and compliantly move goods across borders, providing practical guidance on dangerous goods regulations, customs documentation and export controls.
Will plays a key role in the delivery of publicly funded business support and grant-funded programmes, contributing technical expertise, training delivery and one-to-one advisory support to ensure businesses meet both regulatory and funding compliance requirements. His structured, detail-focused approach helps businesses reduce risk, improve compliance and build confidence in international trade activities
Chloe Huitson
Media & Editorial Officer
Horizon Content Designer
Chloe is our tech guru. Her production and editorial skills allow us to produce engaging and informative podcasts, webinars and workshops. For Horizon magazine, Chloe uses her skills to design articles and pages, and is our in-house designer for third-party adverts. Helping us to really bring each page of Horizon Magazine to life throughout every issue.
Through all of her work Chloe balances catching the imagination with professionalism to ensure she always produces video, sound, electronic and paper content which works best for our clients. Chloe's work allows us to provide content that is easy to consume for our clients.
Andrew Burton
Senior Compliance Manager
Andrew leads the grant administration team across publicly funded programmes. He is responsible for overseeing grant appraisal, due diligence, claims assessment, compliance assurance and reporting, ensuring funding is managed in line with programme guidance and audit requirements.
Andrew brings a strong, detail-driven approach to grant management, supporting robust governance, risk management and transparent decision-making. His leadership ensures that grant-funded projects are delivered compliantly while providing clear, consistent guidance to applicants, funders and delivery partners.
Jonny Rutherford
Senior Grants Officer
Bringing a strong legal and compliance background to the delivery of publicly funded programmes. He holds a First Class Honours LLB and applies his legal training to grant appraisal, eligibility assessment, due diligence and funding compliance.
Jonny has supported the delivery of major trade-related support programmes, including the Brexit Support Programme for Tees Valley Combined Authority and the Free Trade Agreement Support Service for the Department for Business and Trade, both delivered via Tees Global. His experience ensures that grant-funded projects are assessed and managed with clarity, rigour and a strong understanding of regulatory and contractual requirements.
Craig Price - Sam Shearer - Judith Hall - Helen Canwell - Aby Hunter
Grants Administration Team
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You
Want to join our team?
Our Grants Administration Team provides end-to-end support for the management and delivery of publicly funded programmes. The team is responsible for grant appraisal and eligibility checks, due diligence, claims assessment, monitoring, compliance assurance and reporting, ensuring all funding is administered in line with programme guidance, subsidy control requirements and audit standards.
Working closely with funders, delivery partners and applicants, the team provides clear, consistent guidance throughout the grant lifecycle, supporting robust governance, risk management and transparent decision-making while helping businesses successfully deliver their funded projects.
