Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Lucy Cook, Mincoffs Solicitors

Newcastle-based law firm Mincoffs Solicitors has appointed Lucy Cook as associate solicitor.

Lucy Cook joins the firm from Bond Dickinson, having previously worked at Sage UK for several years as an in-house lawyer, dealing with commercial contracts with a technology focus before moving into commercial roles.

Originally from York, Lucy has a wealth of experience in providing commercially-focused legal advice in the fast-moving technology sector.

Lucy said: “Being in industry taught me the value of pragmatic legal advice and I recognised in the team at Mincoffs a similar focus on sound, commercial advice. With its reputation for excellence, Mincoffs has some fantastic clients in the technology sector and the digital scene in the North East is thriving. I am delighted to be joining the Mincoffs team at such an exciting time”

Antony Hall, partner and head of commercial at Mincoffs said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lucy to the Commercial Team, bolstering our position in the market place within the technology Sector. She brings a huge amount of expertise to the team and will play a key role in our plans to develop the department”

Tracey Wilson, durhamlane

Newcastle sales consultancy, training and outsourcing firm, durhamlane, has appointed Tracey Wilson into a newly created data management and market intelligence manager role.

Windsor Terrace-based durhamlane has boosted its Outsourced Sales and Business Development team after promoting Tracey, who brings over five years’ experience and expertise to a position where she will be responsible for undertaking market research and intelligence projects for clients.

durhamlane, which helps regional and national companies in the IT, technology, construction and manufacturing among other sectors develop and grow through outsourced sales and business development services, is targeting a turnover of £1 million by the end of 2015.

Managing partner Richard Lane said: “Tracey has already proved she is a major asset to our business as we see demand for market research, intelligence and data services gain increasing traction among our clients. After all, confirming target markets and ensuring your data is in good shape is a key part of delivering effective campaigns to the right people at the right time.

“We are gearing up to invest further in the services that our clients need and the expertise that will enable us to continue to deliver nationwide solutions from a well-managed, fully resourced, cost-effective and pro-active professional sales environment.”

Mike Chambers, Guyzance Hall

Mike Chambers, a customer service specialist, has been appointed as general manager at one of Northumberland’s most exclusive venues, Guyzance Hall near Morpeth.

Set in its own 350-acre estate, Guyzance Hall is a 19th century Grade II listed residence and a highly sought after wedding and events venue.

Available on an exclusive use basis, the emphasis is very much on ensuring that guests feel that they are staying at their very own country mansion.

He spent 20 years with British Airways as Steward in charge of First Class following experience in the Intercontinental Hotel in London’s Park Lane.

He joins Guyzance Hall from Northumbria Coast & Country Cottages Ltd where for the last four years he was deputy director.

Mike said: “Having come from Newcastle, but spent a lifetime travelling where the opportunities have been, I’m pleased to come back to the North East, and this new challenge at Guyzance. Here, the focus is on offering the very highest quality and level of customer care and I am looking forward to working with the team to ensure that every guest who stays here has a visit that meets if not exceeds their expectations.”

Neal Grainger, Arc Wealth Limited

Neal Grainger, a former commercial financial advisor from Eaglescliffe joins Arc Wealth Limited from Lloyds Banking Group with over thirty two years experience within financial services.

For the last 15 years Neal has operated in the Tees Valley providing business financing, employee benefits and protection solutions to over 100 businesses in the region.

Neal will be now responsible for providing holistic corporate financial advice to a wide range of companies, including Share Purchase agreements, Key Person Assurance and Partnership protection alongside wealth and retirement planning advice.

Neal said: “I am excited to be joining Arc Wealth, with a strong banking background in banking and financial services I felt the time was right to make the move to an established wealth management company. There is a gap in the market for corporate advice and I am confident that I can offer businesses the right information to help their businesses grow.”

Andrew Chambers, managing director said, “With the addition of Neal, it has allowed us to expand our service offering to clients, we can now offer a full range of financial planning services to individuals and businesses.

“We have plans to expand the practice this year, and are looking to take on a number of advisers. We are now fully geared up to achieve this in 2015.”

William Whinn, Orcuma Ltd

North East software company has added to its numbers with the appointment of Sunderland University graduate William Whinn.

Orcuma Ltd, which is headquartered in the Sunderland Software Centre, has welcomed William into the growing team to assist with further development of its FIRsT software, an innovative internet-based CRM and case management system.

The business already has an impressive assortment of clients, including Durham County Council, G4S Utilities and Outsourcing, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, and sporting organisation Future Cheer, and is looking to expand its portfolio with the addition of computing graduate William.

William has been appointed the position with Orcuma with the help of the University of Sunderland’s Graduates into Enterprise scheme, allowing graduates the opportunity to gain valuable experience after completing their degree.

William said: “As a graduate from Sunderland I think the scheme is an excellent opportunity to highlight the skills I gained whilst at university, and I am delighted to have been awarded the position at Orcuma.

“The role sounds an exciting opportunity and one where I can really put my skills into practice”.

Katherine Hamilton, WorkCast

WorkCast online events and presentation platform is delighted to welcome Katherine Hamilton to the marketing team.

Katherine joins Sunderland based Software as a Service business, WorkCast - part of the Leighton Group - from Software Solutions company, CompanyNet.

Katherine will drive forward WorkCast’s content marketing for a B2B audience, with a particular focus on promoting the use of and knowledge about running webinars for lead generation and communications.

Katherine said: “It’s a great time to be in the B2B tech scene, especially now there’s such a strong focus on the content we all produce and how it drives digital inbound marketing.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .