Geoff Thompson
Chairman
Geoff Thompson was born in Whiteleas Way in South Shields and was brought up and educated in the North East.
He gained a First Class Honours Degree in Material Science and a Distinction in a Post Graduate Diploma in Management at Sunderland University before completing his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Newcastle University.
Geoff has held numerous senior management roles in business consultancy and in industry, and founded Utilitywise PLC. Utilitywise began in South Shields and developed into the UK’s largest energy consultancy, employing almost 2,000 people with revenues approaching £100m.
The company listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2012. Geoff stepped down from running the business in 2016 and left the board in 2017.
Geoff became chairman of South Shields Football Club in 2015 and led the return of the club to South Shields.
The club has enjoyed significant growth and success since Geoff became involved, with three consecutive promotions achieved as well as a number of cup victories, including the FA Vase at Wembley in 2017. The club continues to develop and has an important community role to play in South Shields.
In 2017 Geoff created the club’s charitable arm, South Shields FC Foundation. He continues to provide personal financial support and management guidance to the Foundation, which now plays an increasingly pivotal role in the community and provides health and well-being programmes across a range of age groups.
Geoff became a Trustee of Harton and Westoe Miners Welfare in 2019 and continues to support the facility to ensure its viability as an important charity and community asset.