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This week’s North East appointments

Toni Madine, Philippe Galland & Andrew Atkins, The Bazaar Group

Cramlington-based soft furnishings specialist The Bazaar Group has appointed three new senior managers as part of its five year growth plan, including plans to double staff.

Toni Madine has been appointed as Head of HR, with 30 years HR consultancy experience across various sectors, as well as being an experience assessor for the CIPD and associate lecturer at Northumbria University.

Philippe Galland joins as head of sales and marketing having gained extensive experience in brand development within companies such as P&G and the Pentland Group.

Andrew Atkins has been hired as head of design and development, bringing with him board-level experience in housewares and fast-moving consumer goods.

The Bazaar Group managing director, Mark Dolder said: “We have always placed an incredible amount of value on the people in our business and consequently we have a fantastic team.

“As part of our business development strategy we wanted to take our people development plan a step further. This meant having a dedicated in-house HR manager who could outline a programme for career development, leadership skills and apprenticeships, which could be rolled out across the departments.”

Chris MacKinlay & Debbie Fell, Able UK

As Able UK moves forward with major projects at its sites on the Tees and the Humber, it has strengthened its Property and Development team with the appointment of group marketing and development executive Chris Mackinlay and administrator Debbie Fell.

Chris (pictured right) has a strong background in marketing, design and customer relationship activities, including eight years as studio manager with Darlington-based Printwell.

Also joining the team as the department’s administrator is Debbie Fell, who has experience with a number of leading companies in the region, including most recently the Centre for Process Innovation at Sedgefield.

Able Group development manager, David Shepherd said: “These new appointments underline our ambitious programme now moving ahead on a number of fronts—including, of course, the Able Marine Energy Project which is set to become a major catalyst for establishing the Humber as a centre of excellence for the renewable energy industries.

“On the Tees we are undertaking major improvements at Able Seaton Port, including the construction of new quays, one of which will be one of the heaviest load-out quays in Europe, initially to service the Shell Brent Field decommissioning project and further underlining ASP’s position as world-class multi-user facility.

“With our newly-strengthened team we aim to provide a first-class service to our existing and future clients across all parts of our operations.”

Ron Waters, Surgo

Surgo Construction (Surgo), one of the North East’s key construction companies has announced a new appointment to its board of directors.

Ron Waters, who until recently was Surgo’s estimating manager has, with immediate effect, been appointed to estimating director, taking up a key board position.

Having worked in the construction industry for some 44 years, the past 17 of which have been with Surgo, Mr Waters has amassed immense knowledge and experience.

This latest appointment recognises both Mr Waters’ contribution to Surgo’s ongoing success and the company’s commitment to promoting from within, ensuring consistency and continuity as well as valuable knowledge and skills retention.

Speaking about his new role he said: “I am delighted that my commitment and contribution to the company has been recognised in this way. I am very much looking forward to working closely with my fellow board directors to keep Surgo at the forefront of the region’s construction industry.”

Jonathan Grant, Owen Pugh

North East civil engineering firm, The Owen Pugh Group has appointed a group commercial director to oversee all commercial activity across the organisation.

Jonathan Grant from Chopwell, Gateshead has joined the company in the newly created role with responsibility for leading the development of the Group’s long-term strategy in relation to corporate performance, finance and acquisition.

Mr Grant joins Owen Pugh having spent almost 15 years in main contracting following a spell in private practice.

He has held roles at Stephen Easten, Tolent Construction, Brims Construction Ltd and more recently at Willmott Dixon Construction, initially as a senior surveyor progressing to North East commercial manager.

Grant, who has achieved degrees in both Geography and Quantity Surveying, said: “The basis and training I received across each of these businesses was fantastic and really drilled home the importance of our North East supply chain within the construction industry.”

Company chairman John Dickson commented: “Owen Pugh’s success is largely down to the fact that we’ve been able to attract some of the very best talent the industry has to offer. I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Jonathan to the team; he boasts a wealth of experience that I have no doubt will be a huge asset as the company enters the next stage in its strategic growth.”

Lee Mutch, Stagecoach North East

A former engineering supervisor at Stagecoach North East’s Slatyford bus depot in Newcastle has taken up the role of engineering manager for the company’s Hartlepool operations.

Newcastle-born Lee Mutch, from Kip Hill in County Durham, has been promoted to the senior role after 20 years working with the local bus operator at its depots in South Shields, Sunderland and Newcastle.

The former engineering apprentice has progressed steadily within the company, working as a fitter and then a charge hand at the South Shields depot for 12 years before being promoted to engineering supervisor at Sunderland.

Following 14 months in the role, Lee stepped up the career ladder again to become engineering supervisor at the bus firm’s Slatyford depot in Newcastle, where he stayed for two and a half years.

Lee said: “I am really pleased to be taking up this role and thank Stagecoach North East for the chance to develop and progress my career. Since joining the company 20 years ago, I have worked hard and taken up the opportunities presented to me, working across the various depots.

“No day is the same, which makes it both exciting and challenging. Having previously worked at the Hartlepool depot, providing cover for one month last year, I have already met most of the team, who have made me very welcome.”

Paul Broadfoot, Nick Craggs, David Wise & Carinna Gebhard**, Space Architects**

South Gosforth-based Space Architects has made four internal promotions this spring to its Newcastle-based team.

Paul Broadfoot, who joined Space in 2005 at graduate level, has recently been appointed as associate director at the national design business. Paul’s new role will involve management of a project team as a group leader.

Carinna Gebhard and David Wise have both been promoted to associate architects after progressing from senior architect roles. Carinna was one of the business’ bursary scheme students which saw her complete a Part II accredited Master of Architecture (MArch) at Newcastle University as funded by Space.

Associate architect David Wise previously worked at HMH Architects, coming on board with Space in 2013. David’s new role will see him work across multiple projects – namely the delivery of the Quality Homes for Older People project in North Tyneside.

Following a similar pathway to Carinna, Nick Craggs – a ‘Spacer’ since 2006 – was also funded through the bursary scheme while studying at Newcastle University. This latest promotion sees Nick take on a senior architect position where he is working on housing schemes in the region.

Space Architects associate director Paul Broadfoot said: “It’s been a busy start to the year for us here at Space which has made for a challenging but motivational time.

“Therefore to be a part of this recent set of promotions is hugely rewarding and I’m looking forward to taking on the responsibility which comes with it to drive the business ahead in 2015 and beyond.”

Brian van Oosten, Wynyard Hall

Wynyard Hall has appointed Brian van Oosten as general manager, where he will oversee all areas of the operation, including the Spa, the Grand Marquee and The Walled Garden, which is set to open on 4 August.

In a career spanning 20 years, Brian van Oosten, who is fluent in four languages, has worked at hotels throughout Britain, including London’s Dorchester and the Michelin-starred The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel and Spa, North Yorkshire.

Wynyard Hall managing director Allison Antonopoulos said: “Brian’s understanding and experience of all areas of the hospitality industry, is exceptional,

“He has been trained to the very highest standards and has put that training into practice at some of the UK’s most highly regarded hotels and I am delighted to welcome him to Wynyard Hall.”

John Manning, Wates Living Space

Wates Living Space, the affordable housing contractor currently delivering the £80m Hull Extra Care PFI scheme, has strengthened its presence in the North East with the appointment of business manager, John Manning.

The move forms part of the contractor’s plans to expand its current operations in the region in support of the Wates Group’s wider business growth strategy.

John’s appointment will see him manage Wates Living Space’s project portfolio, whilst also driving the work-winning strategy for new build projects across the region from Northumberland to Yorkshire.

With 20 years’ experience in the construction and affordable housing industries, John joins Wates from Galliford Try, where he was Development Manager. He has also previously held the position of Construction Manager at Keepmoat.

Mick Holling, interim regional managing director for Wates Living Space, commented: “Wates Living Space has a solid reputation in the North East and we are currently building on this to increase our regional project pipeline, to ensure substantial growth for the business.

“John brings with him a wealth of experience in both the construction and affordable housing industries and will be instrumental in driving new business in the region.”

John added: “As one of the leading constructors in the affordable housing industry, Wates Living Space is already well placed to build on this by stretching its geographical reach in the North East. As a Newcastle native, I’m pleased to be a part of this growth strategy and look forward to working with the team in this region.

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