Member Article

This week's North East appointments

Begin your working week with a roundup of the latest job moves and news from across the region.

Paul Hughes and Chris Smith, Ward Hadaway

Law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed Paul Hughes and Chris Smith as Consultants in the Personal Injury team.

Paul has over 20 years’ experience in dealing with injury claims on behalf of insurers, self-insured companies and their representatives whilst Chris has over 7 years’ experience in dealing with injury and recovery claims on behalf of insurers, self-insured companies, local authorities and their representatives.

Paul Hughes said: “Ward Hadaway is a firm with a great reputation for quality and client care so I am delighted to be joining the team here.

“Having worked in the North East legal sector for a number of years, it is a firm I know well. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Personal Injury team and across the firm to deliver high quality legal support to our clients.”

Chris Smith added: “It is great to be working with Paul again at such an excellent firm.

“Ward Hadaway already works with many of the region’s leading companies and public sector bodies so we are looking forward to the prospect of offering our expertise to help those organisations to deal with injury claims and associated issues.”

Nick Broadhead, KPMG

The Newcastle-based Corporate Finance team of professional services firm KPMG has promoted Nick Broadhead to manager, following his support for a string of high-profile deals across the North East.

Nick joined the firm’s audit team in 2010 before moving into Corporate Finance as an associate in 2014, where he works closely with some of the region’s most prominent businesses across the retail, healthcare and leisure sectors.

In recent months, Nick has played an integral role in a number of significant transactions for the team. This includes advising Zyro, the Darlington-based cycling parts, accessories and clothing distributor, on its acquisition of Fisher Outdoor Leisure and investment from private equity firm LDC, to create Zyro-Fisher, a combined group with sales of £70m.

Nick was also a key player in the team that advised the shareholders of national wholesaler Kitwave on a multi-million pound refinancing deal. This is in addition to his work acting for the shareholders of North East nursery business Kids 1st on its sale to Busy Bees, the UK’s largest nursery provider, and the sale of North East Convenience Stores to James Hall & Co., the Spar wholesaler for the north of England.

In his new position, Nick is charged with delivering expert advisory services to clients on a broad range of M&A activity, from private equity, raising finance and strategic decision making.

Nick commented: “It’s been a brilliant year for us so far, working alongside some of the North East’s most exciting businesses as they achieve their M&A ambitions”.

Phil Dougan, Miller Homes

Miller Homes North East has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new sales manager as the housebuilder looks to grow its presence in the region.

Phil Dougan, 30, from Sunderland, joins the business at an important time, as it works to increase its portfolio of active developments, adding to its current 10 locations, which include sites in Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Houghton-le-Spring and Teesside.

Bringing five years’ industry experience to his new role, Phil will support regional sales manager Andrew Somerville, as well as manage the housebuilder’s talented team of sales advisers, ensuring buyers purchasing a Miller home receive the best possible customer experience.

Commenting on his appointment, Phil said: “I am really pleased to have joined the Miller Homes team. The company has long been on my radar as a result of its reputation, which is second to none, and it’s a great feeling to be part of the team.

“With a strong background in sales, I’m ready to rise to the challenge of working closely with our regional team to make Miller Homes the first choice for buyers searching for a new build home in the North East.”

Heather Potts, Watson Burton

Newcastle-headquartered law firm Watson Burton has strengthened its real estate team with the appointment of a new solicitor.

Heather Potts, from Newcastle, has joined the commercial law firm to work with a range of clients in the real estate sector, on matters including the acquisition, funding, development and disposal of development sites.

Her key responsibilities will include providing legal support on projects in the renewable energy, leisure and food and beverage industries.

Commenting on her appointment, Heather said: “Watson Burton is a highly respected law firm, with a formidable reputation for its services and a deeply client-focused working culture.

“I am therefore delighted to be joining the firm and to be bringing my wide range of expertise in commercial property, residential disputes and the corporate arena to the Real Estate Group.

“This move represents a huge opportunity to develop as part of a dynamic, vastly experienced team and at Watson Burton I am looking forward to working at the forefront of legal services in the real estate environment.”

Rob McInally, North Group

Newcastle-based mutual maritime liability insurer North Group has appointed Rob McInally as director of marketing and communications.

The new senior level role is part of the group’s commitment to enhancing its marketing and communications services for members.

McInally joins North Group from commercial law firm Davidson Chalmers in Edinburgh, where he was director of marketing and business development for four years.

McInally will lead North’s existing five-strong communications team and direct all marketing activity carried out from North Group’s head office on the Newcastle Quayside, for both North P&I Club and its subsidiary, Sunderland Marine.

Rob said: “I am excited about my new role at North, with its unique service offering, strong branding and high quality customer base. I look forward to building further on the group’s worldwide reputation for service, strength and quality.”

Iain Lawson, High Force Research

Durham-based chemical research company High Force Research has appointed a STEM coordinator to encourage local youngsters to pursue careers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

Iain Lawson, a Senior R&D and GMP Chemist, will be responsible for developing the company’s outreach programme to local schools, colleges and universities.

Iain, whose research has helped contribute towards the development and manufacture of treatments for Alzheimer’s, hopes to help inspire a new generation of budding young scientists in the North East.

Having previously worked for a pharmaceutical company in Northumberland, Iain joined High Force Research five years ago. When the company, which provides a range of services allied to new product development in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and fine chemicals industries, was looking to appoint a STEM Co-ordinator Iain was a natural choice.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help encourage more students to consider careers in science.

“I really believe that Science should be fun. After all it’s messy and lots of things go bang! But best of all you get to discover things.

“I’m where I am today because of a number of inspirational and engaging teachers and mentors who got me hooked on science. If I didn’t pass on what I’ve learnt to young people, what’s the point?”

David Scott, Mech-Tool Engineering Limited

Teesside-based Mech-Tool Engineering Limited, a manufacturer and supplier of fire, blast and heat hazard protection solutions, has appointed David Scott as Managing Director.

David has more than 20 years’ experience in the energy and gas industry having operated at Director level for some of the world’s largest companies in the sector including global marine company Petroleum Geo-Services (PGS), international geoscience business, CGG, and as Principle Consultant and Senior Project Manager for Foster Wheeler Energy.

He also has extensive international experience across the Middle East, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and spent nine years in the Middle East growing one of the largest, privately owned oil and gas companies in Africa – IBS- to a £780million turnover.

Speaking about his appointment David said: “Mech-Tool Engineering Limited is a growing business which is very well positioned for the future.

“We have strong foundations with a solid financial platform, exceptionally good facilities and project teams in locations across the world and we are now seeking to build on our already strong presence in the Middle East and the CIS.”

Join us again next monday for more appointment news.