Member Article

This week's North East appointments

A roundup of appointments from across the region this week.

David Brown, EHANG

North East housing professional David Brown has joined Existing Homes and Neighbourhoods Group (EHANG), a group which advises the National Housing Federation on key issues such as national energy efficiency policy, effective asset management, and how to maximise public and private sector investment in housing.

David will combine this role with his day job as Head of Asset Management at Durham-based Four Housing, where he has worked for the last ten years, previously heading up the development team before moving into the asset management role.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this new role at the National Housing Federation. As a country we need to take radical steps to improve the standard of existing homes and EHANG will attempt to work out how we can best achieve that goal.

“At current levels, Government targets for the environmental performance of existing homes will not be met unless there is a seismic shift in national policies on energy efficiency, renewable energy and addressing fuel poverty.”

Peter O’Brien, Seaton Lane Inn

Peter O’Brien has been named the new General Manager at The Seaton Lane Inn, near Seaham in County Durham.

Peter led The Bamburgh Castle Inn, part of the Inn Collection Group, to victory in the recent North East Tourism Awards as it won the Gold award for Tourism Pub of the Year.

Peter said: “I am really looking forward to working with all the staff at The Seaton Lane Inn. It already has a great mix of local, leisure and business customers attracted by its homely pub atmosphere, good value bed and breakfast accommodation and excellent food that is served all-day, every day.

“The success we had at The Bamburgh Castle Inn was a real team effort, and that is what I’d like to be able to bring to the Seaton Lane Inn.”

Inn Collection Group chief executive, Keith Liddell, said: “The Seaton Lane Inn is a well-appointed, well-run inn which has been able to slot seamlessly into The Inn Collection Group portfolio with its eat, drink, sleep and explore model.

“We are looking forward to developing this Inn further now that Peter has joined the team. It is tremendous that our inns are performing so well and we are hoping that 2016 will be an exciting year for The Seaton Lane Inn.”

Carol Arthur, Silk Family Law

Carol Arthur has joined Silk Family Law as a consultant communications director.

Barrister Ian Kennerley, who founded Silk Family Law five years ago with solicitors Kim Fellowes and Margaret Simpson, said: “Appointing a communications consultant will enable us to raise our profile among key audiences, and drive the firm’s growth.”

Paul Marshall, JD Joinery and Building Services

JD Joinery and Building Services, one of the North East’s largest residential building contractors, has welcomed Paul Marshall as contracts manager to join its team of construction professionals with the aim of driving growth in the commercial sector.

Paul, 51 from Birtley, has been working in construction for over 35 years since joining the industry in his teens as an apprentice.

Working his way through the ranks, Paul worked initially as a joiner before moving into a more varied career in construction management.

Joe Dixon, Managing Director of JD Joinery and Building Services, said: “At JD Joinery and Building Services, we have been building on our positive reputation within the construction industry to ensure we continue to develop strong relationships with our customers and suppliers.

“Paul coming on board is very much part of our strategy to progress our on-site management network and develop new routes into commercial opportunities.