Ian Dormer

Following an education at Essex University and Georgetown University (Washington D.C.) in Government, work started as a journalist on the weekly technical / business journal Flight International in London. For nearly four years he covered all aspects of commercial, operational, & technical aspects of the world's aviation industry, rising to Deputy News Editor before leaving in 1989.

Since that time he has run, and now owns, Rosh Engineering Ltd which is a specialist contractor to the electrical supply industry, repairing and refurbishing high voltage electrical plant throughout UK, Ireland & the Benelux with occasional forays farther afield.

Since the early 1990s he has been active in the Institute of Directors (IoD) on the North East Regional Committee, serving as Chairman for three years from 1998. From 1995 to 1997 he Chaired the National Steering Group of Younger Members and joined the IoD’s Main Board in 1999, being appointed Vice Chairman in 2004. Other duties with the IoD include Chairing the Membership Committee and sitting on the Nominations Committee.

He has also been active on a number of other regional business and education focused voluntary organisations including time as a Director of the Northern Business Forum, Newcastle University AIESEC Local Advisory Board, Small Business Service Regional Assessment Panel, ONE North East’s Review of Business Support Steering, the Further Education Funding Council Member and The Engineering Diploma Development Partnership Strategy Group.

He joined the Board of the newly formed Business Link Tyne & Wear in 2000 and was Chairman from 2002 to 2004.

In 2004 he established, with a small group of like minded business people, The North East Says No Campaign Group. This was established, and designated by the Electoral Commission as the official body against an Elected Regional Assembly in the regional referendum. The electorate of the North East agreed with the campaign with nearly 80% voting No.

He is long standing supporting of Mencap North East, and various Liver charities fund raising appeals. Married to Julia Newton, Consultant Physician at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary and Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University. They have one daughter, Emily, born October 1998 and one son Mark, born September 2002. He collects books and loves ski-ing.