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This week’s North East appointments

Christian Butler, Silk Family Law

Silk Family Law is strengthening its Newcastle office with the appointment of solicitor Christian Butler.

Newcastle University graduate Christian, who qualified as a lawyer two years ago, is the immediate past Chair of the Junior Lawyers Division for Newcastle and the North East.

Barrister Ian Kennerley, who founded Silk Family Law five years ago with solicitors Kim Fellowes and Margaret Simpson, commented: “Christian is a very talented young lawyer whose interests and skills in children’s and financial matters will make him an invaluable member of our team.”

Karen Brown, Seta

Karen Brown has taken up the role of Director of Quality & Compliance at the not-for-profit organisation, which is based in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

Seta delivers apprenticeships, traineeships and both standard and bespoke commercial training courses in subjects including mechanical engineering, maintenance engineering, welding, electrical engineering and health and safety.

The organisation recently launched a number of new apprenticeship programmes in business administration, customer service, team leading and management. Karen will lead on the development of Seta’s business and professional training provision.

A British Standards Institute-accredited Platinum Consultant, Karen brings a great deal of experience to the role: she has been aGovernment Inspector of Training since 1997, working with the Training Standards Council, Adult Learning Inspectorate and Ofsted, and was previously a Director of Improve, the food and drink skills council for the UK, and Managing Director of the North East Chamber of Commerce Training Company.

Commenting on her new role, Karen Brown said: “Having been on the Board for some time, I felt it was time to get more involved with Seta on a day-to-day basis.

“I want Seta to grow and prosper in these exciting times of change in the North East and I feel I can help us to win new customers and become more widely recognised.”

Andrew Robson, BW Medical Accountants

Medical specialist accountancy firm, BW Medical Accountants has recruited Andrew Robson, a senior chartered accountant and manager.

Under the stewardship of chartered accountant Keith Taylor, and tax specialist Peter Waller, the firm advises over 900 doctors, consultants, practice managers, dentists, retired practitioners and personal tax clients making it one of the biggest firms of its kind in the region.

Whitley Bay-based Andrew, 60, who joins this month (January 2016) from Robson Laidler, another North East firm with recognised healthcare sector expertise, has many years of general accountancy and specialist medical accountancy experience working with hundreds of individuals and companies across all sectors, but in particular healthcare.

The role that Andrew is stepping into will involve hands on account management of the extensive BW Medical client base.

Andrew said: “I felt I really wanted to challenge myself, taking on a new role at this stage in my career is certainly a fantastic way to do that.

“I’ve been aware of BW Medical Accountants since its launch in 2013 and Keith Taylor and Peter Waller, for a lot longer than that, as leading lights in accountancy and in the medical healthcare sector.

“Keith and the team at BW Medical have been on a journey of dynamic growth and I am looking forward to supporting them in their bid to grow the business further and to continue delivering first class financial advice to their client base.

“I worked as a partner, associate and senior manager for the same firm for 28 years working closely with GP and dental practices and it is that experience that I am looking forward to bringing to the role.”

Dan Smith, Adam Brown and David Hall, GAS

Seaham-based Great Annual Savings (GAS) has announced a string of new appointments with Dan Smith joining as head of energy, Adam Brown as marketing and communications manager and David Hall as head of procurement.

In his new role Dan Smith will be responsible for overseeing the cost reduction specialist’s energy and water management services, which range from surveys and audits to funding assistance, project management, behavioural training and energy monitoring and targeting. He joins the company from professional services specialist WSP, where he worked in the firm’s sustainability and energy division.

Adam Brown will be responsible for driving forward GAS’ marketing and communications strategy. Previously he spent seven years at Sunderland’s Gentoo Group, where he devised and executed the company’s internal communications and engagement strategy, managed multimedia production and played a role in public relations.

Meanwhile, David Hall will oversee GAS’ team of procurement specialists and help clients make savings on their business costs. David has 25 years of industry experience, including 14 years at a senior level within the retail sector where he specialised in category management and service procurement.

Previously he worked as group purchasing manager for the Benfield Motor Group after spending several years in purchasing at automotive firm Inchcape.

The triple appointment brings the total headcount at GAS to 94. The company has trebled staff numbers since moving to larger premises in Seaham last June following a period of rapid growth.

Judith Bennison, group HR director at Great Annual Savings Group, said: “Our vision is to be recognised as a leading provider to businesses for great cost savings. Bringing in these senior appointments is a vital part of that plan.

“Adam, Dan and David will complement the existing skills within our business and all three have the requisite experience to hit the ground running and add value to our business. This year promises to be an exciting time for the company as we start the next phase of our expansion.”

Gaynor Atkinson, Moneyway

Moneyway, the motor finance arm of AIM-listed Secure Trust Bank, has appointed Gaynor Atkinson as an Account Manager.

Gaynor joins from Benfield Corporate Motoring, where she worked as Group Business Development Manager. In her year with the company she was responsible for delivering fleet solution services on behalf of the Benfield brand.

Previous positions include acting as National Sales Manager at Revive Auto Innovations, and as New Business Manager at Northgate Plc. In her new role, she will represent the Secure Trust Bank motor finance offering to motor dealers across Yorkshire and the North East.

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