Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

David Birks, Mark Reeves & David Lucas, Newtons Soliticors

Newtons Solicitors has strengthened its North East teams with three new appointments

Three new solicitors, who will work out of Newtons offices in Darlington, Stokesley and Richmond, have joined from a North East law firm.

They are Dave Birks, who is appointed an LLP member of Newtons litigation team; his assistant, Mark Reeves, a newly-qualified solicitor and David Lucas who joins as an LLP member in the commercial team.

The appointments follow Newtons’ acquisition of long-established Stokesley solicitors, Thorp Parker LLP, last autumn.

Newtons Solicitors managing director, Chris Newton, says: “We are thrilled by all these appointments which considerably bolster our presence in the North East.

“Having fought against Dave Birks in court I’m delighted that he has joined Newtons together with Mark Reeves. They strengthen our litigation presence in the North East considerably for both commercial and private work. This builds on the success that we are seeing across our northern offices and following the recent Thorp Parker Acquisition.”

Dave Birks said: “There is considerable competition between law firms in the North East. I’m delighted to join Newtons which is among the fastest-growing firms in the region. Its modern approach is just right for the current business environment, providing affordable, top-level legal services and practical advice.”

Managing Partner Jason Wainwright (left) with Kevin Maloney, Nicola Barnett and Adam Aston

Kevin Maloney, Adam Aston & Nicola Barnett, Muckle LLP

North East law firm, Muckle LLP has announced the promotion of three lawyers within its Banking, Commercial and Construction teams.

Kevin Maloney has been promoted to partner in the banking and restructuring team. In addition, two lawyers have been promoted to associate solicitor: Adam Aston in the Construction and Engineering team and Nicola Barnett in the Commercial team.

Kevin Maloney joined the firm’s Corporate team initially when he qualified as a solicitor at Muckle in 2000 but is known for his work in the banking team where he has been for eight years.

As well as providing advice for a range of financial institutions, Kevin advises borrower clients who need banking, finance and fundraising advice. He also leads the Graduate Recruitment Team at Muckle LLP.

He commented: “I am delighted to have been promoted. Muckle is a great place to work and I have enjoyed developing my career here. I’ve been fortunate to work on a range of high quality, complex transactions which reflect both the nature of our clients and the capability of our team.”

Louise Duffy, who leads the banking and restructuring team at Muckle LLP, said: “We are proud to congratulate Kevin on his achievement in becoming a partner within the largest banking team in the region. His appointment recognises the talent and work ethic which makes him a central member of our team.”

“He has led and managed complex transactions and the promotion is a well-deserved recognition of that effort and excellence over a long period.

Newly promoted associate solicitor, Nicola Barnett, joined Muckle in 2010 and specialises in advising on IT, data protection and freedom of information, she said: “I am delighted to be promoted and look forward to the new challenge in further developing our IT and information law offering.

“Since I joined the firm, I have enjoyed building on my existing practical experience as an information law adviser by achieving my data practitioner qualification and also raising the firm’s profile by speaking at the National Information Security Conference last year.”

Adam has also been promoted to associate solicitor. He joined Muckle eight years ago and specialises in detailed contractual analysis and drafting, commercial negotiation and contractual procurement in the construction sector.

Adam said: “Since qualifying into the Construction team, I have enjoyed working on a diverse range of construction and engineering projects. In recent times, I have been lucky enough to have worked on a number of high-profile engineering, energy and infrastructure projects. I am very excited by my promotion to Associate Solicitor and am very much looking forward to making a more prominent contribution to the running and continued success of our team.”

Speaking of the promotions, Muckle LLP’s managing partner, Jason Wainwright, said: “These promotions are well deserved and reflect hard work, expertise and enthusiasm. Kevin, Nicola and Adam clearly really enjoy what they do and it’s great to see people develop professionally and personally at Muckle LLP, whether joining us as trainees or later in their careers.

“We are committed to helping people achieve their potential and our promotions are a real reflection of the progress that the firm continues to make and the opportunities which lie ahead.”

Victoria Hampson & Jennifer Welch, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

The North & Midlands arm of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has appointed a new regional director responsible for supporting chartered surveyors in the North East and helping to maintain standards in the local industry.

Victoria Hampson, previously RICS Member Services Manager (North & Midlands), has been promoted to the role of regional director after taking the reins from Jennifer Welch (pictured left), who has been promoted to director of Business Delivery following a successful secondment as director of RICS in West Africa.

During the six months that Jennifer was seconded in West Africa, Victoria provided support by stepping up to the role of Acting Regional Director of RICS (North & Midlands).

Victoria said: “When I first took up the role of Regional Director, it was only temporary. But I’ve enjoyed it greatly and learnt a lot, so I was delighted to be promoted to the post permanently.

“Jennifer did a fantastic job as the Regional Director - she is highly respected amongst members in the regions and I’m going to miss her immensely. But I’m looking forward to putting my local knowledge to good use and continuing to support members, drive activity and develop further an already high performing team.”

Jennifer Welch first joined RICS 17 years ago as a Branch Administrator for Northumberland and Durham and over the years her drive, passion and commitment to the organisation’s members has been deservedly recognised and rewarded with many promotions.

She said: “The last six months in West Africa have been a big challenge and I am delighted that I will be able to continue with some of that work and use the skills and knowledge that I have gained over the years through working in the North and Midland’s regions, in other parts of the business.”

Jennifer added: “Whilst I do feel sad that I will no longer have so much direct contact with local members, I know that I am leaving the regions in the very capable hands of Vickki Hampson who will do a great job as the new Regional Director.”

Jonathan Wallis, The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers

Jonathan Wallis, a partner at land and property specialists George F White, has been appointed the new Chairman for the Northumbria and Cumbria Branch of The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV).

CAAV is a specialist professional body and its members are agricultural and rural valuers who provide professional advice and valuation expertise on issues affecting the countryside.

Commenting on the honorary appointment, Jonathan said: “I am delighted to be elected as Regional Chairman. It’s a very prestigious role and I would like to thank all those who voted for me to become the chairman for Northumbria and Cumbria. I look forward to the year ahead now that I have been officially inaugurated.”

Within the role, Jonathan will be responsible for chairing a committee that make decisions on membership and finance matters, rules and protocol as well as reporting back to the council and executives of the association.

Charles Meynell, senior vice-president at CAAV, said “It is great to see Jonathan elected as Chairman. The Northumbria and Cumbria Branch is thriving and it is a sign of confidence in Jonathan that, at a time when there is so much to be done in the agricultural and rural community, the members see him as their leader for the next year.

“Issues surrounding the implementation of the Basic Payment Scheme, for example, are but one of many that at national level we at the Central Association and the Branch at local level will be working closely to resolve over the coming months.”

Stephen Hillier, Kat Watson & Jack Stuart, Omlis

Newcastle-based mobile technology payments provider, Omlis, has made the first round of newly appointed roles in their ongoing recruitment drive for talented professionals within the North East, which will fill a variety of support and technical roles within the expanding organisation.

Omlis have appointed Stephen Hillier, Katie Watson and Jack Stuart as security systems analyst, recruitment operations assistant and communications assistant, respectively.

Mr. Hillier is a security cleared security professional bring over 26 years of experience in design, delivery and support of global ICT systems to his new role as security systems analyst.

Mr. Hillier said, “The opportunity to be part of such a dynamic organisation making a global impact from right here in the North East is very exciting.

“The talent within the business is very impressive and I look forward playing my part as Omlis continues to pioneer high integrity technologies that completely secure mobile payment transactions.”

Meanwhile, Omlis CEO Markus Milsted continues to demonstrate his commitment to achieving his recruitment forecast by appointing Kat Watson as Recruitment Operations Assistant, a support role to the growing recruitment team.

Ms. Watson joins Omlis from Mortimer Bell International where she was a recruitment consultant, she said: “I have followed Omlis’s progress over the past few months and feel very fortunate to be part of a forward thinking organisation,

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to improve my skills by facing new challenges within a very reputable and highly ambitious organisation.”

Omlis, who recently announced their success in securing over £20m contracts, is also focused on giving opportunities to talented young people, demonstrated through the recent appointment of Jack Stuart in the role of communications assistant.

Mr. Stuart said, “I chose to continue my professional development with Omlis and I am driven to repay their confidence in me. As the leading provider of high integrity mobile payment encryption technologies, Omlis represents a fantastic opportunity for anyone who is determined to be successful in the North East digital sector.”

Harry Swan, Innovate UK

Harry Swan, managing director of Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd. based in Consett, County Durham has been appointed to the Governing Board of the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK.

Innovate UK, formerly known as the Technology Strategy Board, is the UK’s innovation agency. Its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation.

Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Innovate UK brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy.

The chair of Innovate UK, Phil Smith, said: “I am excited by the contribution that Harry’s appointment will bring to our Board’s discussions.

“He leads a mid-sized, cutting-edge advanced materials and chemicals company and so brings a real customer’s perspective to our work. Beyond that, his work with the Chemical Industries Association and the recently established Chemistry Growth Partnership bring us first-hand insight into some of the strategic channels through which we engage and support businesses in key areas of potential UK economic growth.”

Of his appointment, which will last until June 2017, Harry Swan said “I am delighted to have been appointed to the Board of Innovate UK. As Managing Director of an SME that has a long history of innovation, I believe that harnessing the UK’s remarkable capability to innovate is central to re-building a strong economy based on wealth generating businesses.

“To be able to contribute to the organisation that is at the heart of this challenge is a real privilege and I look forward to working with the other members of the Board over the coming years.”

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