Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Craig Stobart & George Williams, Sanderson Weatherall

Chartered surveyor and property consultancy Sanderson Weatherall has strengthened its Teesside team with the appointments of Craig Stobbart as associate partner leading the agency department and new graduate surveyor George Williams.

Craig will lead the commercial agency department, and brings over 20 years’ experience in the commercial property market to the role having previously worked as a director at GVA and as regional director of Ashtenne.

In his new role, Craig will act on behalf of Sanderson Weatherall’s existing clients and new clients alike in the sale, lettings and acquisitions of commercial property, as well as building the commercial agency business across Teesside.

Craig said: “The opportunity to take the lead on Sanderson Weatherall’s commercial agency department in Teesside was one I could not resist. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Sanderson Weatherall’s current client base and overseeing the expansion of the commercial agency business in the region.”

George joins from Venture Properties where he was employed as a sales negotiator, accompanied viewer and valuer.

George will handle the sale and letting of commercial property across all sectors – offices, industrial, retail and development land.

He said: “Sanderson Weatherall’s reputation as a leading national firm was very attractive to me. I am keen to progress professionally and become a chartered surveyor, and I know that the company’s emphasis on professional competence and training makes them the ideal fit for what I hope to achieve.”

Neil Harrison, National Wood Heat Association

Northumberland biomass heating expert announced as new board member for the national Wood Heat Association

The co-founder of Northumberland biomass heating specialist re:heat, Neil Harrison, has been announced as the new board member for the industry’s largest trade association.

Neil Harrison launched the Alnwick-based firm with Ben Tansey in 2011.

Having played an instrumental role in the Wood Heat Association’s (WHA) establishment, Mr Harrison has been voted onto the association’s first democratically elected board of directors.

He was elected to the role after a vote among the 200 plus members who make up the WHA, the UK trade association for the modern wood heating industry.

He said: “It is fantastic to have this opportunity to continue to raise the professional standards and build the reputation of biomass heating as something that is a sound choice for businesses and households up and down the country.

“Having already assisted in the formation of the WHA, particularly the November 2013 establishment survey and the 2014 conference, I am very much looking forward to taking up my seat on the board and working to improve standards in our industry.”

Sarah Willshire, Watson Burton

Commercial property and development lawyer, Sarah Willshire, is the latest in a series of appointments at Newcastle-based law firm Watson Burton.

Sarah has joined as associate in Real Estate after spending 10 years at Bond Dickinson.

Sarah’s expertise lies in development work, advising clients on the acquisition of sites for development purposes, and for clients acquiring or disposing of ground rent portfolios.

In particular, she has worked for the Department of Education and Education Funding Agency on development of sites for free schools including the conversion of existing buildings and development of brown and greenfield sites.

Sarah will primarily service the firm’s key clients Aviva Investors and Bellway Homes Limited, and will also provide support to Watson Burton’s corporate and commercial team on real estate matters.

Tracy Hall, head of Real Estate at Watson Burton, said: “Sarah’s experience and expertise will bring further depth to our Real Estate team, which has been strengthened with a number of high calibre appointments in recent months.”

Nathan Stanislawski, Stagecoach North East

Bus operator Stagecoach North East has appointed Nathan Stanislawski as operations manager to the team at its Teesside bus depot in Stockton on Tees.

Lincoln-born Nathan was previously operations manager for Stagecoach in Ardrossan in West Scotland, which involved running the depot and managing 115 employees.

As operations manager, Nathan is responsible for a team of 170 drivers and office staff at the depot, which operates 76 buses around the Teesside area, as well as building relationships with the local community and businesses.

His role involves the smooth running of the bus services across the Tees Valley on a daily basis and proactively leading the team to improve the quality of the services in the area.

Nathan joined the transport company in 2006 as a driver, working through the ranks as a leading driver and then a controller.

In 2010, Nathan enrolled onto the one year Staff Development course, and was appointed assistant operations manager at the Kilmarnock depot in West Scotland, before joining the Stagecoach team at the London Olympics.

Nathan said: “I saw this role at a bigger depot in the famous north east as an opportunity not to be missed and a chance to build on my experience in the operations and management of a depot.

“I previously worked as a butcher, and it was here that I developed my skills and enjoyment in customer services, dealing with customers on a daily basis. I am looking forward to my new challenge and working with my new team.

“I endeavour to make Stockton a great place to work for all employees and provide a fantastic service for our customers.”

Sara Eckert, Leighton

North East technology firm Leighton has announced that Sara Eckert, previously of Jacques Vert Group Limited, has joined the company as its senior management accountant.

Eckert has previously held senior finance roles at St Oswald’s Hospice and Madison Capital Funding, a division of New York Life Investment Management, in Chicago.

Leighton’s CEO Lyle McCalmont said: “Sara brings a wealth of experience and talent to this role at just the right time. We are proud to have recorded some impressive growth figures in the last 12 months, and with the plans that we have in place for the short and medium term, the board and I are delighted to welcome someone of Sara’s calibre to the company.”

Working from the firm’s Houghton-le-Spring head office, with financial responsibility across the business, Eckert will offer considerable experience to the company’s senior team.

She said:“I am delighted to be a part of such a dynamic and growing company and I’m sure the position will be a great fit for both of us.”

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