Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Start your working week with a look at the latest job moves from across the region.

Kevin Robertson, Bond Dickinson

Bond Dickinson, the largest law firm in the North East, has appointed a new head of its Newcastle office.

Kevin Robertson, who is head of the firm’s Projects and Procurement Team, will be picking up the reins from Vice Chair, John Marshall, who is leaving to pursue the next phase of his career following 27 years with the firm.

Kevin has extensive experience of advising both public and private sector clients in relation to a range of projects and has particular expertise in projects in the education sector where he also leads the firm’s Education Group.

He has been with the firm for 15 years, becoming a partner in 2006. Born and brought up in Gateshead, Kevin has lived in the North East all of his life, reading law at Durham University and qualifying in the region.

Kevin is a Director of a Multi Academy Trust, has held previous roles as a school governor and is the firm’s main contact for Schools North East, an organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for the region’s young people. Most recently, Kevin has been heavily involved in advising Newcastle City Council in relation to the flagship investment by Legal and General in Newcastle Science Central.

Kevin comments: “I’m delighted to take on this important role within the firm and will endeavour to do it justice. Newcastle is our largest office nationally and the North East region is central to the Bond Dickinson story, our future growth and success. We have a fantastic client base on the ground here in the region and I look forward to continuing to support them in achieving their business goals and ambitions.”

“Bond Dickinson has made a number of recent appointments, including Robert Phillips, who was Head of Corporate at Muckle LLP. Our Newcastle office recently celebrated another year of success, including advising on transactions in the region at a value of more than £1bn. We want to ensure this growth continues by cultivating and investing in the best people. For example, two of our four national partner promotions this May were rising stars from our Newcastle office, so I have a fantastic foundation to build on.”

Haskel

High pressure pump and valve specialist Haskel has made three new management appointments as its restructures its business in Sunderland to make the most of growing global opportunities.

The business, which marks its 70th anniversary in 2016, has appointed Graham Fox as operations manager, Stan Carty as commercial manager and Guillaume Nicolas as financial controller.

The shake-up is part of Haskel Europe’s repositioning of the business as a global brand, designing and building equipment for industries requiring solutions to high-pressure issues.

Graham Fox, who has worked as Haskel’s manufacturing manager since 2008, moves into the new position to oversee the company’s systems.

He said: “We have divided the business into distribution and systems to bring focus to the different needs of the customers of these products, and to concentrate on global contracts.

“We are looking at markets with a global view. Every decision will be based on our worldwide presence, such as developing a higher profile in West Africa and the growing hydrogen market.”

Haskel Europe, which is part of the US-based Accudyne Industries, is an international leader in the design and manufacture of high pressure pumps and valves for the defence, energy and oil and gas sectors in more than 50 countries. Around half of its Sunderland designed and manufactured products are exported, with around 60 per cent of its work with customers in the oil and gas sector.

Stan Carty, promoted to the new role of commercial manager said “I’ll be increasing the focus on distribution of Haskel, BuTech and Firestone products as we build up our expanding global presence and exports.”

Guillaume Nicolas recently promoted to financial controller Haskel Europe, has relocated to Sunderland from Haskel’s Middle East office in Dubai.

He said: “After enjoying five years in the vibrant and growing Middle East environment it’s great to be part of Haskel’s latest push for growth of its international business.

“I’m looking forward to playing a key role in the expansion of the business as we ramp up our global contracts and look to the growing markets in areas such as Africa.”

Tait Walker

North East accountancy firm Tait Walker has kicked off the summer months by announcing three new appointments at its Gosforth office.

Lisa Nielsen has joined as a business services executive in the Audit team, having previously worked at PWC as an audit associate.

The firm will be supporting Lisa as she studies towards her ACA chartered accountancy qualification whilst working closely with the team on a large and varied client portfolio, including businesses within the manufacturing and construction sectors.

Lisa, 25, from Newcastle said: “I am looking forward to developing my skills and knowledge within my new role at Tait Walker. The support I’m receiving in order to achieve my ACA qualification is fantastic and I’m proud to be part of such a highly regarded company in the North East.”

The Corporate Tax team has welcomed Sanjay Pugal as a tax assistant manager, who will be focussing on developing the firm’s capital allowances offering. After graduating from Newcastle University with a First Class Honours degree in Business Management, he began his career as a tax graduate at Deloitte in 2012.

Sanjay Pugal, 26, also from Newcastle commented: “I’ve joined the department at a time of significant growth and I’m looking forward to being part of one of the largest and most experienced tax teams in the region.

“Tait Walker has consistently been acknowledged as a fantastic company to work for and I’m really pleased to be part of it.”

The Corporate Finance team sees Laurence Provost join as an executive. Utilising his previous experience from an audit role at KPMG, where he specialised in the housing sector, Laurence will be working with the corporate finance team on transactional work.

Mark Parkinson, HR partner at Tait Walker added: “We are really pleased to welcome Lisa, Sanjay and Laurence in to the teams here at Tait Walker.

“It’s always fantastic to see new faces within the business and we are looking forward to working with them as we continue to grow.”

Peter Barron, Middlesbrough College

Middlesbrough College is celebrating the recruitment of a leading figure in UK regional journalism to its teaching team.

From September, Peter Barron – the longest-serving editor in the history of The Northern Echo and a board member of the National Council for the Training of Journalists – will deliver specialist units on the college’s new BTEC Level 3 Creative Media Production (Print Based) course.

Peter, who left his editing role this year to work with a range of local organisations and who still writes for the award-winning newspaper, said he was delighted to be playing a role in training the journalists of tomorrow.

“I was just a young lad from Southbank in Middlesbrough, but journalism took me to being editor of one of the biggest regional newspapers in the country and being given an MBE,” he said.

“It’s great to be working with my local college to help other young people access all the brilliant opportunities that the profession offers.”

During his time at the Echo, Peter led successful campaigns to convince Hitachi to open a factory in Newton Aycliffe and to cut hospital waiting times for heart bypass patients.

Peter – who is also a popular children’s author - will be delivering units on Factual Writing For Print, Writing Copy and Understanding Print Based Industries.

He said: “I like the practical edge that the courses at Middlesbrough College have.

“Their links with industry and the world of work are impressive, and really give students an excellent chance of making contacts that can help them into the careers they dream about.”

Middlesbrough College chief executive and principal Zoe Lewis said the college was excited about adding journalism to its wide roster of courses.

“Journalistic skills can be applied to many work roles, and we’re delighted to have such a leading figure from the industry to share his expertise with our students,” she said.

“We feel Peter will bring the kind of real-life experience and insider knowledge to the course that we treasure.”

Godfrey Syrett

North East furniture designer and manufacturer Godfrey Syrett has appointed a new tender manager and bid co-ordinator following an increase in demand for tenders from both public and private sectors.

Diane Pringle has been appointed as tender manager and will be responsible for managing tenders across all sectors. She brings with her a wealth of experience in tenders, PQQ’s (Pre-Qualification Questionnaires) and business development, as well as managing and analysing debriefs.

Diane previously worked for North East law firm, Ward Hadaway, and spent 12 Years at British Telecom.

Jenny Edwards has been appointed to the newly created role of bid co-ordinator to support the tender manager.

Jenny has a great deal of experience in administration, PQQ’s and supporting tenders, having previously worked at international engineering and project management consultancy, Royal Haskoning.

David Hall, group sales director at Godfrey Syrett said: “We are delighted to welcome Jenny and Diane to the growing team at Godfrey Syrett, they both have a high level of relevant experience to bring to the roles.

“Such is the volume of tenders from both public and private sectors, coupled with an increased demand for e-tenders, that we identified the need to expand the tender team to manage the workload.”

Jong Kim, Nuffield Health Tees Hospital

Nuffield Health Tees Hospital is working with a new plastic surgeon and skin cancer specialist, who carries out both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

Mr Jong Kim brings nearly two decades of experience to Nuffield Tees, having qualified in medicine at Edinburgh University in 1997.

A father-of-three from Durham, Mr Kim’s specialist area is skin cancer and he was instrumental in bringing a new procedure for the management of melanoma, called Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy, to the North East.

Mr Kim is also one of the few surgeons in the region who is trained in providing the new, non-invasive 8-point facelift, which uses the latest range of fillers to volumize the face and reduce wrinkles.

He said: “I’m delighted to be able to offer a full range of surgical and non-invasive cosmetic procedures at the Nuffield Tees. My most commonly requested procedures are breast enlargements and uplifts, tummy tucks and nose jobs, but I’m also seeing an increase in referrals for atypical mole assessments.”

Nuffield Health Tees Hospital director Lesley Lock said: “It’s fantastic to be able to welcome a surgeon of Mr Kim’s calibre and expertise to Nuffield Tees. He joins our very accomplished team of plastic surgeons, so we can offer even more choice and flexibility to our patients from diagnosis or consultation through to surgery and aftercare.”

Richard Marshall, Hay & Kilner

Newcastle law firm Hay & Kilner has announced the promotion of Richard Marshall to associate solicitor in its leading Private Capital department.

Richard is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Members of STEP are the most experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates and are recognised as the experts to whom others turn for good quality advice.

Richard specialises in Inheritance Tax planning, Trusts, Wills and succession issues. His expertise and experience will enhance the service Hay & Kilner provides to its extensive private client base, including entrepreneurs and owner managers. The leading private capital team is praised in independently researched legal guide, The Legal 500, for being ‘prompt, knowledgeable and approachable’.

Kirstin Cook, Partner & Head of Private Capital at Hay & Kilner commented: “We are delighted to announce this well-deserved promotion at Hay & Kilner. Richard is a talented lawyer who will continue to make valuable contributions to the firm as a whole and also in his areas of expertise.”

Keith Bendelow, GT Group

GT Group, which is part of the Knorr-Bremse Group since July 5th 2016, has announced the appointment of its long-serving managing director, Keith Bendelow, as the Vice President of the parent company’s Centre of Competence for Engine Air Management based in County Durham.

As Leader of the Centre of Competence for Engine Air Management, Keith will also head the business’ management team, which is made of four experienced GT Group directors, Commercial Director, Catherine Turnbull, Director of Product Development, Collin Gibson, Finance Director, Stuart Conley and Managing Director of Alpha Process Controls, John Lamb.

They are now joined by new member, Knorr-Bremse’s Engine Air Management specialist, Dr. Thomas Hadulla, who joins as Director of Product Management.

The appointment continues Keith’s 42-year association with the GT Group and will utilise his expertise and experience to lead the Knorr-Bremse Centre of Competence for commercial vehicle emissions systems and the GT group’s three other divisions.

Keith Bendelow, CEO of GT Group and Head of its Centre of Competence for Engine Air Management, said: “I am very proud to lead GT Group into this exciting next chapter in its very successful history. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of the GT Group workforce since its inception and the vision of Geoff Turnbull over many years of building the group to its current format. Working with Knorr-Bremse opens up new markets and opportunities for the business through the creation of collaborative working arrangements that will maximise on the expertise that exists within the two organisations.”

Thorsten Seehars, Member of the Management Board of Knorr-Bremse Systems for Commercial Vehicles, adds: “We warmly welcome GT Group as a new member of the global KB Group. For Knorr-Bremse this acquisition represents an important step in expanding our market share in the engine air management business in Europe and North America complementing our market leadership position for exhaust brakes in Japan and will enable us to meet the needs of our customers worldwide even more comprehensively.”

Nicola Short

North East mayoral candidate and entrepreneur Jeremy Middleton has appointed former Entrepreneurs’ Forum CEO, Nicola Short as his campaign manager.

Mr Middleton said: “I am extremely pleased to have Nicola on board. This is not about party politics it is about finally doing what is best for our region and delivering the change we need.”

Before taking on the role of managing Mr Middleton’s mayoral campaign, Nicola Short was Chief Executive of the North East Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

Securing the well-respected Ms Short is a coup for Mr Middleton. Before her role at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Nicola worked in the both the public and private sectors, in some of the North East’s biggest companies including Sage, Newcastle Building Society, and the NewcastleGateshead Initiative.

Ms Short said “I decided to join Jeremy’s team because he really is the change we need, he understands that creating the jobs people need requires a strong understanding of the businesses that will create them. Party politics and petty infighting just don’t deliver for our region.

“I know from my experience working with the region’s business community that what people really want is strong leadership and someone who puts the region before politics. That is exactly what Jeremy is doing.”

Join us again next week for more North East appointment news.