Community
The springboard to your future
The Catalyst in Newcastle brings together a dynamic community of innovators working in the data and healthy ageing sectors. There is an abundance of opportunity to collaborate and develop with like-minded businesses, research specialists and the wider community. Together we develop sought after opportunities to grow your business through our ecosystems and networking.
Our members
Meet your fellow neighbours, innovative individuals looking to stimulating economic growth and catalyse change.
Our team
Our professional, friendly and helpful centre team are here to make your work-life as efficient and enjoyable as possible.
Ryan Blake
Centre Manager
Ryan has been in the Flexible Workspace market for over 8 years, working for Oxford Innovation and The Catalyst for 4 years. From Assistant Centre Manager to Deputy Centre Manager to now the Centre Manager, Ryan has seen The Catalyst through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, to a flourishing and bustling centre for innovation. Ryan is extremley passionate about bringing eyes, attention and business to the North East, adding value to the budding ecosystem here.
In his spare time, Ryan coaches for his local FA as a Coach Educator, as well as at a local Cat-1 Academy for a professional team in the region. Football is in his blood, and he brings the creativity, enthusiasm, passion and competitive edge into his professional working environment.
When he's not on the grass, he's spending time with his wife and furry child, Gregg the sausage dog!
James Snow
Assistant Centre Manager
James comes from a strong background in operations and community engagement, developed throughout his career in the student accommodation sector. As Assistant Centre Manager at The Catalyst, he is passionate about creating a positive experience for customers and helping to foster a vibrant ecosystem where innovation and collaboration can thrive.
Away from work, James enjoys staying active, exploring the outdoors, and spending quality time with his family. Whether he's training in martial arts or discovering trails across the North East, he's always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and broaden his horizons.
Matt Dunbar
Events Venue Technician
Matt brings 12 years experience in audio engineering to The Catalyst, having previously worked freelance for festivals, venues, theatres and bands across the North East and beyond.
In addition to this work, Matt is a qualified School Business Manager, having worked in the education sector for 6 years before moving into the charity sector as a Senior Administrator specialising in process and systems development.
In his free time Matt can be found on a stage with his bands Millennium Bug and Lost Lot, in a field somewhere managing a festival or in his recording studio. If he isn't doing something music related then he will most likely be out adventuring in Northumberland with his family and his dog, Watson.
Molly Calveley
Events Coordinator
Molly graduated in 2019 with a degree in Events Management, having built up experience working on a wide variety of events including weddings, business expos and festivals.
Her background in hospitality led to Molly’s initial interest in events and gave her the drive to meet and exceed customer expectations. Working with businesses and professionals across a range of sectors, Molly uses creativity and a keen eye for detail to ensure the smooth planning and execution of events at The Catalyst.
In her spare time, she loves returning home to the Lake District to explore the outdoors and is currently working towards completing the Wainwrights with her dad. She also enjoys baking and trying new recipes to challenge her skills.
Rebecca Robinson
Centre Manager
Rebecca comes to Oxford Innovation with experience of working in both the public and private sector, having spent the last 5 years managing three business centres and the commercial events team for the University of Sunderland. Rebecca loves working in a busy and bustling environment, creating challenges and working with customers to support them in their business journey. She thoroughly enjoys networking, meeting new people and connecting people together.
In her spare time, Rebecca likes reading, walks with her family and watching her two children participate in their many sporting activities.
Lauren Dale
Customer Experience Assistant
Lauren joined The Catalyst as a Customer Experience Assistant in November 2019 just before we opened. Passionate about her work, Lauren has numerous years of administrative experience working within the healthcare and compliance sectors, and works efficiently within a busy, fast paced challenging environment – always with a smile on her face.
In her spare time, Lauren likes to engage with charitable activities, keeping healthy and socialising with friends and family.
Café
At The Catalyst, we have a superb onsite Café a space you can meet, greet and network with colleagues, the rest of The Catalyst community and friends. A warm and welcoming environment to relax and take a moment from the busy of your day and enjoy the best cup of coffee you will find! If you are not a coffee fan, the café team have this covered with a range of teas, and soft drinks to suit all tastes. The Café is open from 8.30am until 3.00pm.
An invite to innovate
Recommend our workspace to someone you know to receive up to £200 in vouchers.*
This applies for The Catalyst or any other location managed by Oxford Innovation.
* View our page for terms and conditions
Case studies
Hear about the dynamic and innovative community in the ageing and data sector in The Catalyst, Newcastle.
Customer Stories: Baltic Apprenticeships
Baltic Apprenticeships began back in 2006 as Baltic Training Services in a portakabin in Hartlepool fuel yard, 14 years on they are now based in The Catalyst. Read more about their transformation and what they are currently working on and their plans for the future!
Customer Stories: Urban Foresight
Urban Foresight was established in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2011 as the world’s first dedicated smart city consultancy. They set out to become a mission-driven business focused on using technology, data and new ways of working to transform local services and infrastructure.
A New Castle – The Catalyst
The Catalyst is the latest building to be completed at Newcastle Helix. This groundbreaking, striking facility is the new home of the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing and the National Innovation Centre for Data – and is now fulfilling its promise as a centre for innovation, as well as being a stunning contribution to the Newcastle urban landscape.
Find your space to create change
Join us and our community in the data and healthy ageing sector at The Catalyst, Newcastle.
