This week's North East appointments

NewcastleGateshead Initiative has appointed Paul Szomoru as head of Business Tourism - leading the NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau after nine months as interim head of the team.

Paul has taken the helm at NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau following six years at NewcastleGateshead Initiative in various business development roles.

NewcastleGateshead Initiative chief executive, Sarah Stewart, said: “Paul has done a great job leading the Convention Bureau and developing the organisation’s business plan for business tourism.

“I’m delighted he has accepted the position on a permanent basis and have every faith that Paul’s skills and experience will help the team continue their success in attracting high profile national and international events.”

Fund management firm NEL Fund Managers has added Chris Parker to its investment team.

Chris’s new role entails acting as the first port of call for business managers and advisors looking for investment from NEL, assessing the commercial viability of business plans and working closely with investees as their applications progress.

Barrie Hensby, chief executive at NEL, adds: “Chris’s appointment further strengthens a highly skilled and extremely active investment team, and his experience in both finance and industry will be important to our continuing drive to invest in even more ambitious North East firms with robust development plans.”

Sunderland software firm 4th Aspect is preparing to take its web marketing technology to new markets, after the appointment of Neil Jolliffe, a sales director who was at the forefront of the internet boom in the nineties.

4th Aspect co-founder, Claire Glynn, said: “Neil is a vastly experienced professional, who has long been at the forefront of the technology world.

“We’re thrilled to have him on board. It’s a real coup and a move that we are sure will help us to move into some exciting new markets. We have plans to really grow 4th Aspect over the coming months and years, and with Neil’s support, we’re sure that this will happen.”