Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

A roundup of appointments from across the region this week.

Julie Ralph, 360 Funding

Julie Ralph has joined finance firm 360 Funding as Head of New Business after a 12-year career with Bibby Financial Services. She will be working with businesses seeking all aspects of commercial funding including invoice, trade, property and asset finance.

Working her way up from a receptionist to spending nine years as business development manager at Bibby, Julie is a specialist in the invoice finance market. In addition to bringing this expertise to 360 Funding, the role will allow her to further develop her own career as the Company’s client base continues to grow exponentially.

The mum-of-two from Blackfell in Washington, a keen golfer and dancer who studied the tango in Argentine capital Buenos Aires, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining 360 Funding at such an exciting time in the company’s growth.

“The new role is much broader than my previous position and I’m looking forward to working with the commercial market, using my network of contacts with lenders, SME’s and advisors across the region. 360 Funding will give me the opportunity with its extensive product range to help grow North East firms to achieve their potential.”

Jonny Flavin and Annie Hart, xsite

Architectural practice xsite has added further to its team, announcing the arrival of Jonny Flavin and Annie Hart.

Qualified architect Jonny, originally studied product design before qualifying as an architect in 2013. Since his switch to architecture he has worked on some major projects including a student housing scheme on New Bridge Street, Durham Police HQ, North Tyneside Area Command HQ and a number of education schemes.

Annie, who is a Part 3 architectural assistant, has gained experience working mostly on residential schemes, ranging in size from 90 to 350 homes plus smaller renovation schemes to convert office accommodation into residential units, as well as taking a large scale masterplan up to planning stage, for a multi million pound mixed use development in Peterborough.

According to xsite’s founding partner Tim Bailey, both bring with them the right mix of experience, enthusiasm and passion for creating great buildings and spaces for people to live and work in.

He said: “I’m delighted to welcome Jonny and Annie to our talented team, which is growing steadily in response to an increase in demand for our range of innovative design, sustainability and planning services.

“In order for us to design buildings on behalf of our clients which create great working and livings spaces, it is important that the kind of people who share our passion and belief about good design. Both Jonny and Annie have clearly demonstrated this to be the case.”

Malcolm Cundick, ADG Architects

Malcolm Cundick, 71, who qualified as an architect in 1970, and has joined Darlington-based ADG Architects as an Associate, having closed his practice Alpha Plus : Architects.

As Inspecting Architect for many churches in the Durham and York Diocese and the Darlington Methodist District, Mr Cundick now specialises in ecclesiastical buildings, and has undertaken numerous Church and associated community facility projects.

Mr Cundick’s move to ADG Architects was prompted by a desire to continuing working in an office with fellow professionals. He says: “I have known ADG Architects Partners John Bell and Paul Kelly for a number of years and worked collaboratively them since 2011, so it was an easy step to join their firm.

“Fortunately I have enjoyed a strong professional reputation and never had to chase work. I enjoy what I do and after 45 years’ practice and seven years’ training to achieve Chartered Architect status, I do not want to give up yet, and have no plans to retire.”

Allen Creedy, FSB

The new committee for the FSB’s Newcastle and Northumberland branch has been announced, with north east businessman Allen Creedy named as Chair.

The business support organisation, announced its 2016 Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and incoming executive committee who all represent small businesses in the Newcastle and Northumberland areas.

Allen Creedy, partner at ethical partnership, has been elected Chair to lead the committee and help the FSB achieve its 2016 goals. Allen has been an active FSB member for 12 years and is also its UK chairman for Environment, Water and Energy Policy.

He said: “I am proud to serve the FSB members in Newcastle and Northumberland. The committee works to support the FSB’s sole aim of helping smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. One of our key goals for 2016 is to make membership more meaningful and offer as many advice and networking opportunities as possible. We already have over 20 sessions planned for the year with a host of others to be confirmed.”

Alex Carter, Sanderson Weatherall

Chartered surveyor and property consultancy Sanderson Weatherall has welcomed a new graduate building surveyor, Alex Carter, to its Teesside office.

Alex will work as part of the building consultancy department alongside partner, David Fairley. Alex graduated from Northumbria University in June 2014 and worked at Newcastle-based construction and property consultancy, Summers-Inman, for six months to gain valuable experience.

In his new role, Alex will be responsible for undertaking a variety of building surveys as well as preparing reports in order to gain as much experience and knowledge whilst he prepares for his Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) final assessment.

Alex said: “Sanderson Weatherall is a well-established and market-leading property company with excellent opportunities for graduates to undertake training and development. It provides a very well structured APC programme which is essential when becoming chartered. The firm has a high success rate and provides great opportunities for career progression.”

Scott Logic

Newcastle-headquartered software development consultancy Scott Logic has appointed four new graduates.

Newcastle University graduates Richard Beckett and Andrew Jones, will be based at the firm’s headquarters, whilst Laurie Collingwood and Saber King will work at the company’s Edinburgh office.

Recruitment Manager John Wright said: “The graduate scheme is vital to our strategic growth as a company, and it’s great to see so many technically gifted people joining our consultancy.

“Week one is an important part of their orientation. As collaboration is a core business value we want them working together, as well as with their more experienced colleagues on building their technical learning.

“We also realise the importance of switching off so there’s plenty of social activities to allow our people to enjoy themselves and get to know each other socially.”

Emma Fisher and Janet Young, PG&A

Property consultantcy PG&A has boosted its headcount at its North East office following the recent appointment of two new chartered surveyors.

The firm has appointed Emma Fisher MRICS and Janet Young MRICS as asset manager and management surveyor, respectively.

Philip Gifford, Managing Director said: “We are delighted that Emma and Janet have chosen to join us at PG&A. We have a very clear growth strategy in place, part of which is growing our asset management service to the benefit of our clients.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in activity in recent months. We also expect to increase our portfolio with an additional 25 estates in the next six months, so Emma & Janet’s appointment will help further strengthen our property & asset management capabilities in the region”.

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