Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Chris Gair, CSM+ Architects

Newcastle-based architectural practice, CSM+ Architects have announced the appointment of Chris Gair as a Partner of the Ouseburn-based architectural practice.

Chris, who lives in Whitley Bay with his wife and three children, joined the practice in 2003 as an Architectural Technician and has worked continuously for the practice, promoted to IT Manager in 2007 and now responsible for the practice’s CAD and BIM and software.

Senior Partner, Will Moses, commented, “We’re very excited to now have Chris as a partner alongside myself and Neil Atkinson. Like all of the team, he’s very much ‘home-grown’ talent as we’ve constantly supported him with in-house and external training.”

Charlie Shaw, Bealim House

Newly launched Newcastle-based bar and eatery Bealim House has created a recipe for success with the arrival of its latest addition to the team.

Headhunted by head chef David Blackhall, 25-year-old Charlie Shaw has joined leisure company Vaulkhard Group as sous chef at the popular venue.

Originally from Bolivia, Charlie was formerly sous chef at established French restaurant Papillon in Chelsea before working at two city centre Italian restaurants in Newcastle, which inspired his love for creating ‘social tapas’ - combining tastes of French, English and Mediterranean cuisine.

Charlie said: “Having known of its great reputation, I was very honoured to be asked to join the Vaulkhard Group and especially to be working alongside David.

“David is an inspirational chef and holds the same importance as I do on sourcing local suppliers, seasonal choices and is very creative with new recipe ideas so we make a great team.

“The whole group has been very welcoming and it’s great to work somewhere where you have freedom of presentation and all ideas are respected. The Vaulkhard Group is definitely a company I can see myself growing with and I am excited for what the future holds.”

Sonya Atkins, Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank has appointed Sunderland local, Sonya Atkins, into a senior management position to increase support for small and medium sized business customers across the region.

In her new role, she will be a senior manager for the bank’s commercial SME division in Durham and Wearside, leading a team of seven relationship managers, and ensuring businesses with an annual turnover between £1 million and £25 million receive the tailored funding and support needed to seize expansion opportunities.

Sonya Atkins has more than 13 years’ experience working with SME customers at the bank, previously managing her own portfolio of clients.

Commenting on her appointment, Sonya said: “Commercial activity in the North East is thriving, and SMEs are an important driver for the regional economy. Having been born and raised in Sunderland, I have a firm understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses at grass-roots levels in across the region.

“I look forward to working alongside my team to help these businesses unlock their growth potential and achieve their ambitions, both domestically and in overseas markets.”

Joanne Clough

In addition, the firm has strengthened its support for healthcare and education SMEs in Yorkshire and the North East with the appointment of a senior manager.

Joanne Clough began her career at Lloyds Bank as a graduate before specialising in the provision of services for healthcare SMEs as a relationship manager. Joanne will be transferring this experience into her latest appointment, where she will be acting as a senior manager, healthcare and education, in the North East and Yorkshire.

In her new position, Joanne will be managing a team of seven relationships managers, providing educational establishments and primary healthcare businesses, including GPs, pharmacists and dentists, with sector-specific support and funding.

Commenting on her appointment Joanne said: “The ability to provide businesses in these sectors with a bespoke service is something the bank is extremely proud of. All of our relationship managers undergo in-depth training sessions with external healthcare specialists, to further understand the challenges facing the industry. We’re also the approved banking partner for the National Association of School Business Management, enabling us to develop bespoke solutions for schools and colleges.

“As a result, we understand the challenges and legislative changes both industries face, and in my new role I aim to ensure that we maintain the high standard of service the team has become known for.”