This week’s North East appointments

Silver Bullet Marketing, Richard Hopper

Ouseburn Valley-based marketing agency, Silver Bullet Marketing, has announced the appointment of Richard Hopper as account manager.

Richard joins the agency from his previous position as marketing manager for Durham County Cricket Club where he developed the Durham brand and marketed several events at Emirates Durham ICG including the 2013 Investec Ashes Test Match.

Silver Bullet managing director, John Dias added: “We’re delighted that Richard is joining us at such an exciting time for the agency as the market for our services not only recovers but dramatically improves with a number of new account wins in recent months.

“We had some very impressive applications for this post but Richard stood out for his experience of a wide variety of marketing and his enthusiasm for creative work.”

“The last five years of recession has certainly sorted out the agency world in the region with many companies going to the wall, through no fault of their own apart from being unable to adapt to a ferociously difficult economic environment.

“We’ve been trading for 15 years since 1999 and are now seeing business improving dramatically as organisations feel confident to invest in their marketing again.”

“Richard’s appointment is a sign of our own confidence in the improving economy and he’s already impressing our clients with his own style.”

GFW Letting, Adam Bishop

Expanding North East letting company, GFW Letting, has welcomed its first property apprentice to its Newcastle office, in a bid to support the next generation of property professionals. 18-year-old former Whitley Bay High School pupil, Adam Bishop, joins GFW Letting as a trainee Property Assistant working alongside the busy property management team.

GFW letting Ddirector Holly Armstrong said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Adam and for GFW Letting and we are thrilled to have him on board. We were extremely impressed by Adam’s enthusiasm and the fresh new ideas he brought to the table and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop his understanding of the industry, throughout the year.

“2014 has been a successful year for GFW Letting and it’s great to have Adam on board as we continue our growth as a team.”

Property manager Stacey Hogg said: “I’m delighted to have Adam on board. We’re dedicated to connecting discerning tenants with quality homes and as a result, we’re experiencing high demand for both our urban and rural properties. Taking on a talented new apprentice will only help to strengthen the GFW Letting offer even more so.”

Southdale, Iain Godfrey

Construction and development specialist Southdale has appointed Iain Godfrey as its new technical director for the North East region. The move comes as Southdale looks to strengthen its North East board in line with growth within the region.

Iain joined Southdale, which bases its North East division in Darlington, since 2009, when he joined as design manager.

He has been at the forefront of prominent projects across the North of England, including the Queenshill extra care development in Leeds, the redevelopment of the Royal Oak Brewery site in Stockport, and a community centre in Middlesbrough, along with a range of housing schemes.

Southdale’s North East division has a turnover of £28 million and is currently live on 16 housing sites across the region.

Trudie McCormick, Southdale’s North East region managing director, said: “Iain has been a great asset to Southdale since joining us five years ago and he brings a quarter of a century of experience to his new role as Technical Director for the region.

“He will help us to continue our growth in the North East and develop into an increasingly prominent force in the region’s construction market.”

Smithers Purslow, Tom Reid

Engineering and surveying consultancy, based at the Quadrus Centre at the Boldon Business Park, has appointed a graduate building surveyor Tom Reid on the back of more buoyant trading conditions.

Smithers Purslow, a Midlands-based consultancy, which established a northeast office in 2011, has benefited from an influx of new business wins, having now firmly carved a niche for itself within the regional built environment sector.

Chris Scott, associate and head of office said: “Although we established our office at the height of the recession, we have worked hard to become part of the regional built environment sector and we’re very busy at the moment with involvement in a range of varied work.

“This has allowed us to recruit a graduate building surveyor and I am delighted to welcome Tom back to Smithers Purslow as a full time member of the team.”

Capita (North Tyneside) Tim Matthews

Capita, one of the UK’s leading multidisciplinary consultancies, has made a key appointment to further strengthen its property team in North Tyneside.

Tim Matthews, who has 14 years experience in property management, is the new Head of Property and Facilities Management Services for Capita’s partnership with North Tyneside Council.

Tim was previously the head of property services and facilities management for the Newcastle office of property services company DTZ and headed its Leeds office’s corporate real estate team.

Tim, who lives in Newcastle, said: “I’m delighted to have joined the business. What appealed to me was the challenge of developing our core services for the council as well as bringing in further business.

“I’m already impressed by the quality of staff within the team and I’m excited about what we can achieve.”

Capita operations director Barry Pilkington said: “Tim’s appointment is the latest in a series of external senior appointments into our Property and Facilities Management services and demonstrates our ongoing investment in this area as we look to further strengthen core services and to diversify.

“Tim brings an excellent track record in property management and we wish him all the very best in his new role.”

Johnson Tucker, Daniel Capobasso

Newcastle based chartered surveyors and property consultants, Johnson Tucker, has appointed an investment surveyor and associate partner, to support the development of its growing portfolio of private property clients.

Daniel Capobasso, who lives in Cullercoats, graduated with a first degree in mathematics and statistics from Newcastle University together with a Masters in real estate from Northumbria University.

David Johnson, partner, commented: “Daniel is a very good addition to our team. His expertise spans valuations, private client reports, landlord and tenant work and agency, so he can provide investment advice based on a sound understanding of property-related matters. We are delighted to welcome him to the firm.”

Swinburne Maddison LLP, Simon Robinson

Swinburne Maddison LLP (Swinburne Maddison), one of the region’s leading law firms, has announced a key appointment to its highly respected property team.

Simon Robinson, formerly head of BHP Law’s commercial and agricultural property team has joined the Swinburne Maddison as a partner.

Victoria Walton, head of commercial property, said: “We are delighted to make this announcement and thrilled that Simon has decided to join Swinburne Maddison at a time when we are experiencing steady growth. He brings with him extensive experience and knowledge of both commercial and agricultural property.

“Whilst these are areas where we already have a an excellent track record, Simon’s background and reputation are such that we expect to build further on that and increase the number of clients who choose to make the practice their first port of call when looking for sound property related legal advice.”

Simon commented: “It is great to be joining Swinburne Maddison at such an exciting time. I am very much looking forward to joining Victoria and her team.”

4x4, Jack Errington and James Grady

Stockton-based North Eastern 4x4, which specialises in servicing, parts and diagnostics for Land Rover and BMW, has expanded its team by taking on its newly-qualified apprentice.

Jack Errington from Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, completed his apprenticeship as a Motor Vehicle Technician with North Eastern 4x4 in conjunction with Hartlepool College of Further Education, achieving an Advanced Level Apprenticeship level 1-2-3 Diploma.

James Grady from Fishburn is currently undergoing his apprenticeship at North Eastern 4x4 as a Motor Vehicle Technician and will qualify in 2015.

Warren Portues, co-owner of North Eastern 4x4, said: “Apprentices form a valuable part of our workforce and it’s important to generate new opportunities for young people keen to enter the industry.

“Jack and James are important members of our team and are both really skilled and enthusiastic workers – working with them has been such a good experience that we’re hoping to take on another apprentice in the coming months.

“Jack progressed impeccably throughout his time here as an apprentice, so we are delighted to be able to offer him a permanent job as a Technician.