Tony Ikwue, Director of Enterprise and Innovation, University of Sunderland

Member Article

This week’s North East appointments part 1

We welcome you back from an Easter break with a roundup of the latest appointments from across the North East. Don’t miss Part 2 in tomorrow’s bulletin for the latest regional job news.

Dr Colin Herron and Tony Ikwue, The North East LEP

The North East LEP has welcomed two new members to its Innovation Board, which is responsible for driving innovation and economic growth in the North East.

Dr Colin Herron, Managing Director of Zero Carbon Futures and Tony Ikwue, Director of Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Sunderland, are the newest members of the board, which is comprised of leading figures from the region’s business, academic and civic communities.

The board is chaired by Professor Roy Sandbach, the North East LEP’s innovation champion. Professor Roy Sandbach said: “Innovation is a vital part of the North East LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan which ultimately aims to create more and better jobs for the region.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome two new members to the Innovation Board, who are ideally placed to join us in driving innovation within the North East business community.”

Vicky Rees, HealthHub

North East health clinic, HealthHub, which offers a range of physical, mental and social wellbeing services, has recruited pilates trainer Vicky Rees, as part of a push to extend its service range.

Vicky’s list of clients includes Middlesbrough Football Club’s first team and she has worked with Olympic swimmers, Aimee Willmot and Chris Cook.

Originally from Middlesbrough, Vicky trained with Body Control Pilates in London in 2008, qualifying in 2009. She settled in Saltburn and opened her own Pilates studio in Yarm in 2010.

Vicky, who was thrilled to be approached by HealthHub, said: “I’ve been growing the studio for the last five years and the time felt right to expand, as there’s only so much you can do yourself.

“It’s great to come together and work with people who have a shared vision for the future and who want to grow and expand a business that is helping people look after their health.

“I’m really excited about the future, it’s such a great opportunity for all of us and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Vicky will manage all the Pilates at the Yarm-based clinic, from running daily classes to teaching other pilates teachers.

Charles Winward, NVM Private Equity

Newcastle-based investment firm NVM Private Equity (NVM) has appointed Charles Winward to its investment team. Charles will be responsible for sourcing, transacting and managing VCT investments.

Previously a director at IP Group plc, where he was the Managing Director of its fund management and advisory subsidiary,Charles also spent seven years at IP Group (during which time they moved from AIM to the FTSE 250).

Moreover, he has assisted in creating and developing several spin-out technology companies from university intellectual property, with notable successes being Tracsis plc (University of Leeds), Xeros Technology plc (University of Leeds), Boxarr Limited (Universities of Southampton and Bristol) and hVivo plc (University of London).

Additionally, Charles had responsibility for the IP Venture Fund, raising a second fund in 2012, and the North East Technology Fund.

Charles said: “I am delighted to be joining Martin and such an experienced team with a long-established, successful track record in value creation by backing promising companies across the regions of the UK and I look forward to making my first investments for NVM.”

Sally Harrod, Bow School

Sally Harrod has been announced as the new headteacher at Bow School, Quarryheads Lane, Durham, at the start of the new academic year in September.

Founded in 1885 as an independent day school for boys aged three to 13, Bow formally became the preparatory school for Durham School in 1976 and caters for day girls and boys from the age of two and half to 11.

Mrs Harrod will join Bow from Lincoln Minister Preparatory School, where she is currently deputy head teacher, having previously taught at both maintained and independent schools in Lincolnshire.

She was educated at Hull University affiliated Bishop Grosseteste College, where she read English.

In her new role she will be responsible for children across Bow’s three departments; the Badger Nursery, for children aged up to four, the Pre-preparatory department for those aged from four to seven and the Preparatory Department for seven to 11-year-olds.

She said: “Bow School has a deservedly excellent reputation and I am very much looking forward to heading its exceptional teaching team.

“It is my primary aim to present children with the skills, knowledge and understanding that can equip them to be life-long inquisitive learners and to provide a supportive and stimulating environment so they can achieve their full potential.”

Gavin Hennessey and Emma Souter, Naylors

Newcastle-based Naylors, the largest independent firm of property consultants in the North East, has appointed two new members of staff, Gavin Hennessey as Finance Manager and Emma Souter as Secretary.

Gavin will be responsible for managing the firm’s financial activities, a role which will see him head-up the busy accounts team. He brings with him over 25 years’ chartered accountancy experience and has previously worked as Finance Manager for a credit union as well as private practices in the North East.

Naylors has also appointed Emma Souter as Secretary to assist the busy admin department. Emma brings with her over 26 years’ secretarial experience and a good knowledge of the property industry, having previously worked within the Property Team at Muckle LLP for over 10 years.

Angus White, Naylors’ managing director, said: “We are very pleased to welcome our two newest team members. Following our recent re-brand and the development of a five-year growth strategy we will be looking to expand further. We firmly believe recruiting highly skilled and experienced individuals is key to our continued success.”

Andrew Friend, Made in Tyne & Wear

Former Head of News at Tyne Tees and experienced journalist, Andrew Friend has joined local TV station, Made in Tyne & Wear as Regional Head of News.

In a career spanning 30 years, Andrew has presented Tyne Tees Today along with various news bulletins, and has recently spent four years in Australia working as a TV news producer for commercial channels 7 and 10 and the national broadcaster, ABC.

The new appointment comes as the station prepares to move up on the Freeview channel listings on Tuesday 5 April, taking the channel 7 slot following BBC3’s move to an online only service and the pending launch of Made in Teesside later this year.

Tony Hazell, Station Manager for Made in Tyne & Wear said: “We’re delighted to welcome Andrew to the Made in Tyne & Wear team. With such a wealth of experience and skills gained as one of the premier media professionals in the North East, Andrew is a fantastic edition to the station.”

Join us again for more regional appointment news tomorrow. Got a story? Contact Jamie at jamie.hardesty@bdaily.co.uk.

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