Empowering Teesside’s Next Generation of Businesses

Teesside has long been a region defined by resilience, innovation, and a strong sense of community. Today, that spirit is being carried forward by a new wave of entrepreneurs and behind many of them stand a whole group of cheerleaders, in the form of experienced business leaders.

“Throughout our history, we have always recognised the importance of our local community” says MD Karl Pemberton

“From our support of The Teesside Charity as patrons and our volunteering policy for staff, to our relationship with local schools, colleges and university, but also by working closely with other local businesses” Karl adds.

From Foundations to Leadership

Both Karl and fellow director, Paul Gibson’s careers began in customer-facing roles at Yorkshire Bank, experiences they both credit as pivotal in shaping their ability to connect with people. That early exposure to speaking to people and finding out their concerns first hand laid the groundwork for the firm we see today. And for Teesside’s fledgling entrepreneurs this emphasis on human connection is crucial.

As a result, the firm now enjoys a partnership with Flok Co-Working Space in Middlesbrough town centre, with regular ‘financial planning’ clinics hosted by our own Andrew Haley. Financial planner, Andrew provides financial advice and guidance to start-up businesses and owners, alongside those in the wider business community in the town.

As a qualified chartered director, Karl recently joined Alt Labs’ and Flok CEO Imran Anwar (pictured below) to give a ‘fireside chat’ offering a candid look into his personal journey and the philosophy that underpins Active Chartered Financial Planners’ work with emerging businesses.

Karl also spoke about building a robust strategy and respected brand with the family business when he joined the firm back in 2007 – a journey that mirrors what many founders in Teesside are experiencing: balancing tradition with innovation.

“This perspective can help support startup businesses” says Karl

as every business (brand new or well established) requires well thought through strategies for long-term sustainability and growth. Whether it’s planning for investment, adding new services, or navigating uncertainty, financial planning gives you a forward-thinking strategy”

Karl’s philosophy “leadership isn’t about making it all about you” resonates strongly with early-stage founders who are learning to lead teams, build cultures, and make impactful decisions.

Lawyer and Trustee for The Teesside Charity, Helen Lyne reiterated this by saying “Karl doesn’t shout about what he does and doesn’t realise the influence he has. He just gets on with it, does things right, looks after people. Proper Teesside – no fuss, no showing off.

He’s ambitious, you can tell, but he’d never say it. It’s in how he works, the standards he keeps, the way he keeps moving forward without making a thing of it.

I’ve always been inspired by that. Karl shows you can lead, you can go far, and still stay grounded, half the time not even realising the impact you’ve got on people around you. That’s attracts a different level of respect.”

Continuous Learning

Drawing from the firm’s experience with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 small businesses accelerator programme, Karl encouraged entrepreneurs to embrace learning at every stage of their journey, with director Paul Gibson saying “Superior knowledge remains one of the firm’s core strengths and this is something in which we will continue to develop over time with all team members, no matter what role they play”

Building a Stronger Teesside Together

“What Karl brought to our programme founders wasn’t a presentation. It was permission. Permission to admit they don’t have all the answers. Permission to take the long view. Permission to lead without making it all about themselves. That’s what happens when established businesses like Active Chartered Financial Planners connect with early-stage founders. You’re not just sharing expertise. You’re showing them what good looks like. And for a region like Teesside, where businesses actually back each other, that matters.” Says Alt Labs’ and Flok CEO Imran Anwar

By combining technical expertise and experience with empathy and openness, Active Chartered Financial Planners and other established local businesses can offer vital support to fledgeling businesses to create a stronger Teesside business community.