Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Two North East professionals have been appointed to senior roles within the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the national body for public relations professionals.

Stephen Waddington from Holystone near Rothbury, Northumberland has been named President for 2014, the most senior elected office in the Institute, whilst Sarah Hall from Whitley Bay has been re-appointed to the CIPR Board and as chair of the Professional Practices Committee.

Stephen said: “The public relations business faces a challenge in shifting from a craft to a profession with all the rigour drive that entails. Our role is to help accelerate that change.” Sarah added: “The CIPR is a national membership organisation. We’re firmly focused in 2014 on moving the organisation out of London and into the regions to better serve members.”

National planning and economic consultancy Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP) has appointed Michael Hepburn as director in its Newcastle office.

Michael has been with NLP since 2004 and has led its six-strong national housing team since 2010. It is engaged in a variety of residential and commercial projects throughout the North East and Yorkshire.

Expanding North East chartered surveyors firm Bradley Hall has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of two new associate directors.

Experienced chartered surveyor Richard Rafique joins the Grey Street office team, while chartered surveyor Amanda Burbridge joins Bradley Hall’s growing residential sales team in Gosforth. Both are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Director Neil Hart said: “We’re seeing a real surge in property enquiries and transactions. These senior appointments reflect the confidence in the regional market but also the commitment for growth within Bradley Hall.”

Newcastle-based PR and marketing agency Karol Marketing Group has appointed a new PR executive, Jade English.

A Public Relations graduate from the University of Sunderland, Jade brings a wide range of agency and in-house expertise to the agency, as well as extensive experience in event management, where she specialised in the education sector.

Jade, from Seaburn, said: “I’m very happy to be joining such a creative and forward-thinking team, who are renowned for their award-winning PR and marketing campaigns, and to be working with Karol’s diverse range of prestigious regional, national and international clients. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me.”

Insolvency expert Allan Kelly has taken over as the new chair of the North East arm of insolvency trade body R3.

Allan, who is a partner of regional accountancy firm Tait Walker and head of its Turnaround & Insolvency team, will serve a two-year term in the post, and is now responsible for leading R3 campaigns which highlight the benefits of accessing services provided by insolvency practitioners across the region.

He takes over the role from Steve Ross, who is a partner in the restructuring team at the Sunderland office of Baker Tilly Business Services Limited.

L-R: James Fascia and Jacqui Banks

The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) has strengthened its team for 2014 with the appointment of two new members of staff.

Jacqui Banks joins as HR Officer and will also be acting as PA to the Centre’s directors, whilst 18-year-old James Fascia, from Whitley bay, has secured a role as business administrator.

The BIC’s chief executive, Paul McEldon added: “It is always nice to begin a new year by welcoming more colleagues onboard.

“I wish both Jacqui and James the very best in helping to maintain the BIC’s excellent reputation in the business community, in what looks to be a very busy 12 months.”

Calibre’s new starters Karly Appleby (first left; right window) and John Burnikell (second left; right window)) with Sam Thompson and Shaun Phillips (also right window) with Paul Nelson, Marcus Watson, Steve Nelson, Karen Nelson (all in left window).

Newcastle ICT firm Calibre Secured Networks Ltd has made several appointments to support expansion in 2014.

The firm has brought in John Burnikell to provide server platformexpertise while Karly Appleby secures her first full time job, working in administration and accounts as she undergoes full auditor training.

Calibre managing director Karen Nelson said: “The future is exciting for us and we are busier now than ever before. We are going for growth, so I’m delighted to welcome John and Karly who will be a huge asset to both the management team and our customers in 2014.

“Over the next 12 months we will look to support the existing talent within the team while continuing to encourage and nurture a new generation of young, highly skilled people within the firm and the wider industry.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .