Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Dianne Sharp, Ebac Limited

Ebac Limited, part of the Ebac Group, has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Dianne Sharp. Dianne has taken on the position of chief executive of Ebac Limited, which manufactures domestic products including water coolers, dehumidifiers, chest freezers and ground source heat pumps.

She brings a wealth of business experience to the position. As Regional Director of the CBI, a trustee of Key Fund, former managing director of SCM Pharma and after a decade with County Durham electrical component maker Mechetronics Dianne has undoubted business acumen and an excellent track record of running efficient, high-growth businesses. Dianne will be responsible for the day to day production operation of Ebac Limited, the quality of its products and will support the ambitious growth plans of the company.

Dianne Sharp said: “Ebac is an innovative and forward-thinking company and this position takes me back to my manufacturing roots. “I am looking forward to supporting Pamela and working with the team at Ebac as the company grows, expands into new products and markets and continues to be a major contributor to the local economy.”

Ian Wolfendale, Jumpstart

Ian Wolfendale, a former business development manager with Insider Publications, has joined Jumpstart, as its North East of England Client Engagement Manager.

Ian, who spent 12 years with his former employer, is a well-known figure in business and corporate finance circles, particularly through his work creating links between trading businesses and potential investors throughout the United Kingdom.

He said: “Jumpstart has recovered significant sums in R&D tax credits from HMRC for its clients in the North East but overall, uptake has been limited and I believe, nowhere near the potential of the substantial sums that could be remitted back from the tax system to fund local businesses and permit them to support future vital investment.”

Jamie Harding, House of Type

Marketing, design and advertising agency House of Type has appointed a new staff member to its website team. Jamie Harding, who joins the Wilton Centre-based business as a Web Developer, will work on designing and developing websites and apps for the agency’s clients.

This includes working for national and international brands in retail, public and private sectors and manufacturing and heavy industries.

Billingham-born Jamie previously worked as a network infrastructure manager for a Teesside company managing the networks of four subsidiary companies and is keen to use his experience in an agency environment. He said:“I am really looking forward to working on a range of different projects for different clients.”

Miles Crossley, George F White

Land and property consultancy George F White has appointed a new investment director to drive business opportunity and growth. Miles Crossley joins the firm following a 9 year career at Banks Group, where he left his business development position to take on a key new role at George F White.

Speaking about his new role at George F White, Crossley said: “I’m very excited to join and share my experience with the George F White team. I have always had a lot of respect for the business and the people within it having watched its transformation over the past five years from a small rural firm to market leaders in all areas of property and business advice.”

“My role involves identifying individuals and organisations with capital to invest and helping them to meet their objectives by advising them through often complex and challenging environments found within the land, property and energy sector. Coupled with this, I will be proactively identifying land with development potential unlocking value for landowners.”

Chris Leyland, True Potential Investments LLP

Newcastle-headquartered True Potential Investments LLP has hired Chris Leyland as Deputy Chief Investment Officer as the company continues to grow rapidly.

Chris Leyland has over 13 years’ experience in the investment industry and his most recent role was as an Investment Manager at Tilneybestinvest. He was responsible for managing a large book of institutional and private clients utilising all asset classes and he was heavily involved in fund research.

Commenting on his new role, Chris said: “True Potential has shown incredible growth over the last three years and this will continue into the future with the investment business going from strength to strength. True Potential leads the way with both the technology it offers to advisers and the quality of its fund range. I look forward to working with the investment team and continuing to improve the investment offering.”

Sharon Masocha, North East H&H Land and Property

Joining the H&H Land and Property Planning team, as a Graduate Town Planner, is Heriot - Watt University Graduate Sharon Masocha. Originally from Stirling, some of Sharon’s key responsibilities will include coordinating and submitting planning applications, undertaking policy reviews and research, site and planning appraisals and liaising with clients and Local Planning Authorities.

Along with her predicted First Class BSc (Hons) in Planning & Property Development, Sharon has completed extensive work experience, in addition to the work as a trainee property designer alongside her parents when they purchased a former power station, which they converted into a 3-storey house. Alongside her new role, and as a long-term project, Sharon will also be pursuing the entrepreneurial route as an investor in the real estate market.

On taking up her new appointment Sharon said: “I am delighted about my new role with H&H Land and Property, I am very excited to be joining the planning department of such a renowned agency. I have a genuine passion for planning related matters and I am looking forward to working across the North of England and South West Scotland.”

Katie Davison, RPD Builders

Billingham-based building and construction firm, RPD Builders, has appointed Katie Davison as the company’s new Client Liaison Officer. The firm, which has just hit the £1m turnover mark, is keeping it in the family with the appointment of Katie, 21, who is the daughter of Peter Davison, founder and owner of RPD Builders.

Katie, who studied Events Management at the University of Wales Trinity St David and is due to graduate later this year, will be responsible for enhancing the after-sales care at RPD Builders and ensuring the ongoing provision of high-level customer service for clients. She will co-ordinate with customers throughout projects and after to ensure they are happy with the company’s work and will also be responsible for ongoing marketing support.

Katie Davison said: “I’ve grown up with RPD Builders, watching my dad build the company during the past 12 years and I am extremely proud of what he has achieved. I know exactly how the business works and know how to avoid the boss when he’s in a mood!

“I’m delighted to become a member of the team at RPD Builders and am looking forward to helping my dad move the company forward to future growth.”

Melonie Debenham, Thorn Baker

Recruitment consultancy Thorn Baker has appointed Melonie Debenham as operations manager to drive the expansion of their Newcastle office.

With more than 24 years’ experience in recruitment, Melonie’s remit at Thorn Baker will be to support the growth of the business via operations and business development across the industrial, commercial and engineering sectors.

Melonie is looking forward to helping Thorn Baker work towards their ambitious five year growth plans, which will involve offering support to the firm’s existing offices and developing the growth of emerging locations such as Birmingham and Leeds.

She said: “I wanted to join Thorn Baker as I felt the way they worked would really suit me. I love the professionalism and their open and honest approach to recruitment.

“The company already has a great vision and it is all about maximising those ideas. It’s great that I am able to contribute towards these ideas and their current growth plans.”

Glen Sanderson, Northumberland National Park Authority

Glen Sanderson has been elected as the new Chairman of Northumberland National Park Authority. Glen is a local Northumberland County Councillor and takes the role on from his fellow Councillor John Riddle of Bellingham.

At the Annual meeting of the National Park Authority on 17th June, John Riddle stood down after 14 years at the helm of the National Park Authority, paving the way for a new Chairman.

Speaking on his appointment as Chairman of the National Park Authority, Councillor Sanderson said: “I am very honoured to have been elected to this position and to follow John Riddle who has chaired the National Park Authority fantastically well over a long time.

“Our National Park has won numerous accolades – rightly – over recent times and that is down to staff and board members who really care for the National Park and the visitors that we welcome to it.

“I hope to be able to play a part in building on that success, to welcome even more people to enjoy this wonderful place, and to see The Sill Project become a hugely important and enjoyable attraction for young and old alike.”