Chairman's Dinner with Lee Hutchinson

Kick off 2025 with an inspiring and enjoyable evening at the breathtaking SIX rooftop restaurant at BALTIC! 

This year, we are honoured to feature North East entrepreneur Lee Hutchinson, Founder of Double Eleven and Pneuma Group, and a trailblazing force in the video game industry. Don't miss this inspiring evening with insights from Lee and opening remarks from our Chairman, Brendon Hayward.

Founded in 2009, Double Eleven has grown into a powerhouse in the gaming world, securing major partnerships with global giants like Mojang, creators of Minecraft, as well as working on high-profile projects like Red Dead Redemption for Rockstar Games, Fallout 76 for Bethesda Game Studios (now a popular TV series on Prime called Fallout), and the Lego Harry Potter Collection for Warner Brothers. Under Lee’s leadership, Double Eleven has expanded to over 400 employees, working across the globe with state-of-the-art offices in Middlesbrough and Kuala Lumpur.

In recognition of his exceptional leadership and the company’s remarkable growth, Lee was named our Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021. During that time, Double Eleven achieved a 455% growth rate in turnover to £50m between September 2020 and September 2022, making it the fastest growing large company in the North East.

In 2023, Pneuma Group was born, establishing subsidiaries to develop in the property and hospitality sectors. Their portfolio now includes SIX, the stunning venue for our 2025 Chairman’s Dinner.

Throughout the evening, Lee will share his journey with raw emotion, recounting the early days of building Double Eleven and the pivotal decisions that transformed it from a start-up into an internationally renowned brand. He’ll also discuss how he navigated the challenges of a rapidly evolving industry and the reasons behind their investment in property and hospitality venues across the North East, vividly bringing the Double Eleven story to life with authenticity and passion.

What Can You Expect?

Insights from a North East Trailblazer

Hear from one of the North East's most influential entrepreneurial figures, who has risen to become a titan in the gaming industry, sharing his journey and key lessons for success.

Kickstart Your Year with Connection

Start 2025 on the right note by engaging with your peers, socialising with fellow entrepreneurs, and build authentic friendships in an intimate setting.

Gourmet Dining with a View

Enjoy a delicious gourmet dinner while taking in the breathtaking views of the River Tyne from the stunning SIX Rooftop.

The Small Print 

This event is exclusively for entrepreneurial members of the Forum and costs £99+VAT for a three-course meal, payable in advance. No guests or substitutions allowed.

In the event that you need to cancel or amend your booking please let us know as soon as possible. Cancellations will be refunded if received before 5pm on Thursday 16th January 2025. Unfortunately, we are not able to reimburse the ticket cost if your place is cancelled after this time.