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This week's North East appointments

Ian Swales, Mark Kenrick and Aidan Walker, NEPIC

Ian Swales, former MP for Redcar, has today been announced as the new chairman of Industry Cluster NEPIC as existing Chairman and SABIC Director, Paul Booth OBE, stands down following a four year tenure. Also joining NEPIC’s Board of Directors are regional Industrials Mark Kenrick, MD of Lotte Chemical UK and Aidan Walker of Morpeth-based Piramal Healthcare.

Ian Swales said: “I am delighted to accept this role with NEPIC who make a big contribution to in driving the economy of our region. NEPIC have done a great job in bringing the industry together, identifying issues and promoting the region around the world.”

Claire Cook, Generation NE

The North East’s youth employment programme Generation NE has unveiled the latest face to join its team of dedicated business advisors.

Claire Cook joins Generation NE as a business advisor responsible for helping Gateshead’s SME community to grow.

Claire said: “Generation NE has seen unprecedented success following its launch earlier this year and I am proud to be joining its team of business advisors. The Generation NE team is working with businesses across a wide range of sectors and I’m looking forward to helping the North East business community thrive off the back of this support.”

Paul Harvey and Greg Humphreyson, @retail

North East retail agent @retail has appointed an additional 2 members of staff to boost the team.

Paul Harvey BSc Hons has been appointed to assist with High Street disposals and acquisitions having rejoined the firm following completion of his Degree at Northumbria University in Estate Management. Greg Humphreyson has joined the company to assist the team where required. Paul is on a year out placement from Northumbria University where he is studying Estate Management.

Ian Thurlbeck, @retail Director comments – “our clients have been very busy this year and this has been reflected in the growing amount of business we have been privileged to deal with. To maintain our service levels we are pleased to welcome Paul and Greg to the team and we are sure they will play a positive part in the continued growth of our business this year”.

David Brown, Ringtons

Newcastle-based tea and coffee firm Ringtons has announced the appointment of David Brown to Financial Director of Ringtons Limited in a move which sees the family business strengthen its leadership team.

David joined Ringtons in December 2011 as Head of Finance, having previously been Financial Controller at another successful northern family-run business British Engines.

David also held positons with Alfas Industries where he spent 13 years as Financial Director, after originally spending eight years in accountancy practices BDO Binder Hamlyn and Ernst and Young where he gained his accounting qualifications.

David said: “I am delighted to take up a positon as Financial Director of Ringtons Limited and join the existing team of experienced Directors. Not only is this an exciting time for the business and for me on a professional level, but it is also a personal honour to have been recognised by the board and given such a great opportunity within a much-loved local business.

Tom Gowland, Naylors

Newcastle-based property consultancy, Naylors, has appointed a new Facilities and Maintenance Surveyor. Tom Gowland joins the firm’s Facilities Management department as a graduate, having recently completed a building surveying degree at Sheffield Hallam University. Tom previously undertook a year’s work experience as a property services undergraduate at Transport for Greater Manchester.

Tom said: “I was attracted to the role at Naylors due their size and reputation within the North East, being one of the leading property consultants within the area. I saw the role as a great opportunity to put the knowledge I gained throughout my university degree into effect, gaining practical experience along the way.

Alison Freer, durhamlane

Newcastle-based sales performance company durhamlane has announced that Alison Freer hs joined the business as an Associate Partner.

Alison, originally from Newcastle upon Tyne and widely known for her business coaching and transformation company Thinkfreer, has an extensive background in HR, leadership development and change management spanning over 15 years.

Co-founder & Partner at durhamlane Richard Lane said: “This is a great opportunity and fit for durhamlane, and one which feels like a natural progression for our business.

“Alison and Thinkfreer have vast experience and enable us to offer a different element to our current consultancy and training proposition. Thinkfreer offers businesses guidance and clarity with internal conversations between staff and leadership teams, helping companies take new direction and embrace the changes of the new digital age, with minimal disruption and cost.”

Rebecca Harbron-Gray, Gordon Brown Law Firm

A North East law firm has promoted one of its solicitors to partner to help build on the future vision of the business.

Rebecca Harbron-Gray, who heads up Wills Trust and Probate at Gordon Brown Law Firm, will play a key role in the future of the company, supporting managing partner Kathryn Tylor and the firm’s partners Ian Lawson, Moya Mason and Simon Dakers with the direction of the 85-strong business across its Newcastle and Chester le Street offices.

The move follows Kathryn Taylor taking over the helm of the firm in 2013, which made her the second-only female managing partner on the North East legal scene at the time.

A Trust and Estate Practitioner, Rebecca is one of the region’s few Solicitors for the Elderly. She was also one of the North East’s first ever Dementia Friends’ Champion and has since recruited sixmembers of Gordon Brown Law Firm as Dementia Champions and over 200 Dementia Friends across the region, through the firm’s work leading awareness and advice sessions about the condition with the community.

Rebecca, who is from County Durham said: “I knew from early on that I wanted to make a difference at Gordon Brown so to have been given this trust and recognition is a real honour. I am really lucky to have a supportive team behind me, which will enable me to continue with my day-to-day role whilst supporting our managing partner and fellow partners.”

Gemma Holmes, BHP Law

Gemma Holmes has joined BHP Law and will head up the firm’s family services at its office in Belmont, Durham.

Gemma said: “I received really good training and great experience there because it was a smaller firm. BHP Law has a similar, family feel but is a regional firm with offices across the North East, a bigger structure, forward momentum and brilliant connections with professional partners. I’m delighted to be here and looking forward to building our family law services in Durham.”

Martin Blight and Len Ronayne, Surgo

North East contractor Surgo Construction (Surgo) has announced two new appointments to its team.

Martin Blight has joined the contractor in the role of senior estimator. Martin will work closely with director and head of estimating, Ron Waters, to manage and respond to the growing number of tender opportunities and contract wins Surgo continues to secure.

On site, Len Ronayne has joined as site manager and is currently overseeing the major refurbishment of workshops and classrooms at South Tyneside College’s world famous marine school.

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