Our Team

Lauren is our General Manager and she is responsible for the foundations development, programme delivery and membership engagement. Lauren’s passion for supporting young people on Teesside is infectious and she has been instrumental in the development and growth of High Tide since it’s conception in 2012.

Michael is the Managing Director of Casper Shipping, a leading port agency and marine services business in the UK and one of the founding partners of High Tide. Michael is also a board member of International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC), the world’s leading mutual insurer for the transport industry. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, has an MBA from the University of Teesside and is a non-practicing solicitor in England and Wales.

In her position as head of PR, Marketing and communications at PD Ports, Kirsten is responsible for directing and overseeing the implementation of the Company’s group-wide communications strategy, brand management and CSR Policy. Aside from design, all marketing and PR activities are handled in-house and centrally managed at PD Ports’ Middlesbrough based headquarters. Kirsten is engaged with a number of groups and organisations in support of the delivery of PD Ports’ business strategy including an active role within the Cabinet Office’s Communications Steering Group to promote the Northern Powerhouse.

Paula has a key position with Sir Robert McAlpine, which is heavily committed to apprenticeships and schools, as well as being the regional Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) supervisor and mentor. She also chairs two engineering organisations aimed at helping young people in their own careers. As a female engineer, Paula has talked about the challenges she’s experienced and has previously supported High Tide as a STEM ambassador. Alongside our diverse trustees, she will help provide the delivery of interactive, exciting and meaningful work experience to many more students.