Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Chris Cant, Metnor Construction

Metnor Construction has confirmed the appointment of Chris Cant as managing director following the retirement of Alan Greenwell.

Chris, the company’s commercial director, has taken over the role from Alan, who held the post for 10 years.

He joined Metnor Construction, part of the Metnor Group, as commercial manager in 2004 and was promoted to Commercial Director in 2012.

With responsibility for all aspects of the company’s commercial operations, Chris has worked with a number of blue chip clients including the De Vere Group, Care UK, BUPA, Hotel du Vin and Colt Telecom.

Over the past 18 months, he has also taken responsibility for the firm’s business development in the North East, focusing on supply chain relationships and customer service.

Speaking of his appointment, he said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Managing Director and wish Alan all the best for his retirement. Alan announced his plans to retire in March last year and we have been working together since then to ensure as smooth a handover as possible.

“I’m looking forward to the new challenge and to continuing Alan’s good work over coming years. My main aim is to make Metnor Construction the first port of call for the North East’s construction professionals.”

In his role as commercial director, Chris has worked on a number of high profile projects undertaken by Metnor Construction, including the recent redevelopment of the Hampton by Hilton project opposite Central Station, and a 338-bed student accommodation project near the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle.

Keith Atkinson, managing director of Metnor Group, said: “Chris has built up a first class team around him and I am sure he will continue to enhance the company’s growing reputation both within the region and further afield.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Alan for a magnificent job, not just in his 10 years as managing director of Metnor Construction, but also in the 22 years he has spent with the wider Metnor Group. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Chris Cant took over the role of managing director on 1st May.

Wendy Edwards, Archers Law

A Teesside woman has taken the next step on the legal ladder after being appointed as a partner at a top law firm.

Wendy Edwards has moved in to the role of partner at Archers Law having initially joined the firm in the Wills, Probate and Trust team nine years ago.

Wendy graduated from the University of Teesside with an honours degree in Law in 2005 and was taken on by Archers within a year.

She went on to study with The Institute of Chartered Legal Executives, which requires the student to obtain both academic qualifications as well as five years’ full time experience working in a specialist area of law.

On completion of that she then went on to study the Legal Practice Course with the University of Law in York at weekends whilst working full time to qualify as a Solicitor..

In 2014 she was made an Associate Solicitor, and her rise to the position of Partner is the next stage of her development at the Stockton-based firm.

Wendy said: “It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage, but I’m absolutely delighted to be made a Partner.

“This is something I have always had ambitions to do, and I am very much looking forward to being a bigger part of this dynamic and successful firm.”

The firm’s Wills Probate and Trusts team consists of five solicitors, two legal assistants and six legal secretaries, and Wendy’s new role will see her take on the management of this department.

She added: “We pride ourselves on giving high quality, specialist service.

“In the Teesside area there are just six solicitors who are registered with the organisation Solicitors for the Elderly, and three of those work in the Wills Probate and Trusts team at Archers Law.”

Lorna Beckett, Newcastle Racecourse

Newcastle Racecourse has bolstered its customer facing team with the appointment of a new customer service executive.

Lorna Beckett from Cramlington has joined the 60 strong team at the Gosforth Park venue with a responsibility as the first point of contact for customers coming into the venue which welcomes over 200,000 guests to 29 racedays and 250 events across the year.

The role involves answering queries about forthcoming events and race meetings and taking bookings, co-ordinating schedules for all of the venue’s staff as well as a wide range of administrative duties.

Lorna brings a wealth of experience to the new position having worked as a Conference and Events Sales Agent at the Holiday Inn Newcastle Gosforth Park for seven years. Responsibilities included managing wedding bookings from the initial enquiry through the day itself and taking room reservations for leisure guests as well as hotel residents.

Lorna said: “I am really enjoying the variety that my new role at Newcastle Racecourse offers. Every day there is something different and new challenges to overcome.

“I also enjoy getting to know the staff as well as the regular customers and Annual Members. It’s also a pleasure to come to work in High Gosforth Park, the surroundings are fantastic.”

David Williamson executive director at Newcastle Racecourse, said: “We’re delighted to have Lorna on board as her experience in customer service, sales and organising events is second to none.

“As the first port of call for guests coming to the racecourse Lorna has a responsibility to have a handle on everything happening on site and she is certainly rising to the challenge.”

Karen Boswell, Hitachi Rail Europe

Hitachi Rail Europe today announces the appointment of Karen Boswell as managing director and Nick Hughes as sales director, with effect from 1st June 2015.

With the company’s Rail Vehicle Manufacturing Facility in Newton Aycliffe becoming fully operational later this year, Hitachi Rail Europe’s focus is shifting towards delivering trains to existing UK customers and driving new European sales.

Karen comes to Hitachi Rail Europe from East Coast Trains where she spent five years as managing director.

On joining Hitachi Rail Europe, Karen said: “It is an exciting time to be joining such an innovative organization like Hitachi Rail Europe. I was attracted to Hitachi by its excellent record of customer delivery as exemplified by the 395 Javelin fleet.

“I look forward to bringing into service a new generation of trains, which will deliver a step change in the experience for passengers and greater reliability for operators.

“I believe people are the key ingredient and I am looking forward to working with the wider Hitachi Rail Europe team, developing our people, creating new and exciting opportunities for all whilst at the same time raising the bar in the customer experience.”

Nick Hughes joins Hitachi Rail Europe with over 20 years of senior level experience in the UK and EU rail markets. He joins from Ansaldo STS where he is currently Chairman in the UK. Prior to that, Nick held senior business development roles in Alstom Transport and Jarvis.

Nick said: “I am delighted to be joining such a dynamic and expanding business as Hitachi Rail Europe.

“Following in the footsteps of my predecessors, I will focus on steering the business towards new sales and opening new markets here in the UK, Europe and worldwide. I am really excited about joining the sales team and I am inspired and driven to take this business forward at what is a very exciting time for HRE.”

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