Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Start your week with a roundup of the latest appointments from across the region.

Leanne Hannan, Patrick Parsons

Multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm Patrick Parsons has appointed Leanne Hannan as new finance director.

Leanne, who is based at the firm’s headquarters in Newcastle, has over fifteen years’ experience working in both practice and industry.

Over the past two years Patrick Parsons has acquired Twickenham-based JSA Consulting Engineers and The Stilwell Partnership based in Guildford, taking the firm to over 170 staff across eight UK and two international offices. Following the acquisitions, Leanne Hannan has been appointed as finance director and will lead and develop the finance team across the Parsons Group.

Prior to joining Patrick Parsons, Leanne spent six years working as European Finance Director within an American owned engineering consultancy, which involved projects in oil and gas, power, rail and manufacturing sectors.

She said: “I wanted to join Patrick Parsons to work as part of a talented team which has already delivered significant growth but has ambitious aspirations for future expansion. I am thrilled at the opportunity to support the company through the next stage of its journey.”

Sharon Main, Valued Accountancy

North Durham accountancy firm Valued Accountancy has appointed Sharon Main as Senior Accounts Manager.

Sharon joins the Consett-based team from CAV Aerospace where she worked as an assistant finance accountant for seven years, taking the company’s total number of employees to 14.

She will be responsible for overseeing and managing client accounts, helping them with VAT returns, preparing year end accounts and corporation tax returns and is excited to be joining the company at a key stage of its growth.

Sharon, 47 who lives in Stanley, said: “This is a great career move for me and I am grateful to be given the opportunity to work at Valued. I am really looking forward to working with the rest of the team and being part of something special.”

Adam Young, Westray Recruitment Consultants

Gateshead-based Westray Recruitment Consultants has expanded its Industrial & Manufacturing division with the appointment of new consultant Adam Young.

Adams background, which spans over a decade, includes extensive sales knowledge and experience within the Business Development sector providing the very best standards of customer service, he joins the team at a crucial time as a continuation of Westrays strategic business focus on regional and national expansion.

Commenting on the appointment Glen Forster, Manufacturing & Industrial Manager said: “We are thrilled to welcome Adam to the team, he brings with him both passion and experience and truly understands and embraces our company values and ethics. I’m very excited for the year ahead.”

Laura Marriner, Pebbletree Ltd

Sunderland-based technology company Pebbletree Ltd has appointed Laura Marriner as its new Commercial Director.

Having joined the company in 2012 as a Finance Assistant, Laura is approaching her fourth year at Pebbletree. During this time, she has seen her role develop and evolve within the business, as additional services and brands were launched by Pebbletree, including cloud-based contact centre management system, Quvu, and virtual receptionist (VR) solution, Simply66, with which Laura was given the responsibility of Acting Team Leader.

Laura said: “I am absolutely thrilled at the opportunity of this new role, it’s hard to believe that I am in this position now after such a short period. Part of the culture here is to promote within the business and personal development of our staff is something that I can personally say works as my time here has proved – hopefully this will continue for years to come!”

Stuart Dawson, Permatt

North East fork lift truck specialist Permatt has strengthened its sales operation with a senior appointment.

Stuart Dawson joins the Killingworth based business as sales manager during a period of steady growth. The company recently announced it has achieved annual sales of £3.5m, up from £2.8m last year.

With more than 35 years’ experience in the sector, Stuart brings both technical and sales expertise to the role. He started his career as an engineer at the former Caterpillar site in Birtley before working for Barlow World Handling for more than 25 years. Most recently he was working at Windsor Materials Handling.

Stuart, 55, of Chester-le-Street, said: “Permatt provided the perfect next stage in my career. They’re a very progressive and ambitious company; they’re friendly, adaptable and are keen to continue growing.

“Permatt offer customers that perfect combination of an international, technical brand like Toyota along with a commitment to providing excellent service.”

Jane French, BHP Law

A solicitor who worked on the redevelopment of a North East leisure landmark has taken up a new position with regional practice BHP Law.

Commercial property specialist Jane French is providing her considerable expertise to businesses across the region after three years at North Tyneside Council, where she managed the team overseeing the rejuvenation of the council-owned sea front and Spanish City funfair.

Prior to the council she worked for law firms in Glasgow acting for Scottish developers, investors and banks with commercial property interests in England.

Originally from Houghton-le-Spring, Jane started her career in childcare and family law work in Sunderland before moving into commercial property with a firm in Durham.

John Pratt, managing partner at BHP Law, said: “We’re delighted that someone of Jane’s experience and knowledge has joined the firm as we respond to growth in the commercial sector. Her expertise will be invaluable to many of our business clients.”

Jo Robison, DPP

Independent national planning consultancy DPP has appointed Jo Robison as associate director in its Newcastle office.

Previously a divisional head in Smith Gore’s (now Savills) northern planning team based in Darlington, Jo will work across all of DPP’s projects in the north east although her primary focus will be on the residential sector. A graduate of Northumbria University with a BSc in housing development surveying, she also has a Masters from the University of Newcastle in town planning.

With over 17 years’ in planning consultancy, Jo is highly experienced in identifying and promoting strategic land through the planning system for schemes of between 10 to 900 homes and assisting in delivering complex planning consents, including Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium while working in London.

“It’s an exciting time to be working in the residential sector in the north east,” says Jo. “There have been several new entrants into the sector and we’ve seen an increase in the number of small and medium sized housebuilders. The uplift in activity across the UK has definitely reached our area.”

Cassandra Spenceley, Ward Hadaway

North East law firm Ward Hadaway has recruited experienced solicitor-advocate Cassandra Spenceley.

Cassandra joins Ward Hadaway as an Associate, after more than a decade advising on issues relating to children and their welfare, in both private and public law proceedings on the North East Circuit.

Cassandra said: I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Ward Hadaway in Newcastle. The firm has a first-class reputation for the quality of legal services it provides, and in particular its commitment to client care.

“it is clear that as well as being a leading commercial law firm, Ward Hadaway also values providing top class personal legal services. I am looking forward to adding value to the already established and well thought of family law team here in Newcastle.”

Stephen Richardson, Sanderson Weatherall

North East property consultant and chartered surveyor Sanderson Weatherall has expanded its architecture department with the appointment of Stephen Richardson as partner.

Stephen brings 10 years of industry experience to the position with particular specialisms in mixed use masterplanning; new build commercial and residential development; and creative reuse of existing building stock.

He joins an already established architectural team at Sanderson Weatherall and will be instrumental in further developing the firm’s offer in all aspects of architectural consultancy from concept to completion.

Commenting on his new role, Stephen said: “Sanderson Weatherall is well-known for its building consultancy offer, and as a specialist department within a multi-disciplined firm SW architecture has a distinct offer over its competitors.

“I am very much looking forward to further developing this strong reputation and creating an outstanding architectural practice offering our clients advice and consultancy on all aspects of design and development.”

Square One Law

Square One Law has marked its fifth anniversary and an increase in turnover of 30 percent by announcing a series of promotions including the creation of six new partners.

Six Senior Associates, who have all been involved with high profile projects and make a significant contribution to the growth of the business, have become partners in the Newcastle-based firm.

They include, Marie-Louise Bozonet and John Hammill from the corporate team and Michael Shuker and Peter Clegg from the property team. Roisin Patton from the employment team and Guy Barr from the litigation team have also been made partners.

Other promotions at Square One Law include Partner, James Bryce, who is also Head of Corporate and Commercial and becomes an Equity Partner. In addition Helen Warren, from property and Eleanor Wilkinson, from employment have also been promoted from Associate to Senior Associate.

Senior Partner, Ian Gilthorpe said: “Our continued success has been our ability to attract and retain calibre clients from the North East region and also to win work on a national, and at times, international platform.

“To do that we’ve had to recruit and retain excellent people who understand how to use their commercial and legal knowledge to improve the client experience through responsiveness and service delivery.

“Our client base and turnover are important ways to measure how far we have come, but I am also delighted that this growth has meant we have been able to make several important promotions this year that will help us to build a strong platform for future growth.”

Join us again next week for more appointment news.