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This week's North East appointments

Your weekly North East appointments update.

John Marshall, NewcastleGateshead Initiative

John Marshall has been appointed Chair of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, the public-private partnership that delivers economic growth for NewcastleGateshead and wider region through its work to attract visitors, major events, conferences and inward investment to the area.

With a 28-year career based in Newcastle, John retired from Bond Dickinson LLP at the end of June, where he most recently served as vice chairman.

The national law firm has offices from Aberdeen to Plymouth, with its largest sites in Newcastle, Bristol and London.

John brings a wealth of knowledge and experience within the regional business community to the role (see notes to editors for full biography), and has served on the NewcastleGateshead Initiative board for six years.

He served until his retirement as Regional Council Member for the CBI, and is currently Council Member of the North East England Chamber of Commerce and sits on the International Advisory Board of Newcastle University Business School.

Taking over from Paul Callaghan CBE, John was selected by NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s Board, which is made up of representatives from both Gateshead and Newcastle Council and a cross-section of individuals from the organisation’s private sector partnership base.

John said: “I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed a great career here and am passionately committed to seeing the region continue to grow and prosper.

“With uncertainty around the consequences of Brexit, it is all the more important that this area looks outwards, profiling its unique and distinctive features to a wide range of international and national audiences.

“The strength of NewcastleGateshead Initiative in collaborating with partners to change perceptions and promote the breadth of what this area has to offer brings about direct benefits for all of us in this region.

“It is an honour to be offered this role. I will work tirelessly to support the amazing team we have here to achieve further success and I would like to thank Paul Callaghan for his support and determination over the last three years as Chair. “

Julia Charlton, BW Medical Accountants

Specialist advisers to the healthcare sector BW Medical Accountants has welcomed Julia Charlton (FCCA) on board as its newest medical accountant.

Julia will be supporting the team by offering specialist accountancy and financial planning services to their client base of over 95 GP practices and 1,000 medical professionals.

Julia has over 33 years of accounting experience, including a HND in Accounting and Finance from Leeds Metropolitan University.

She comes most recently from a role as finance manager for Advanced Industrial Solutions, a training firm for oil and gas companies based in North Shields, where she worked with the company’s financial director on all aspects of the company’s accounts.

Keith Taylor, head of medical services for BW Medical Accountants, said: “When a position became available within our team, Julia was the first person we thought of. As well as having previously acted for healthcare clients, she also has extensive in-house accountancy experience.

“Julia is already well known to many of our people, is highly thought of and fits in well with our culture of integrity and excellence.

“Not only does Julia have the required knowledge of the specialist medical field to thrive at BW, she brings fresh insight into the firm with her many years of in-house accountancy experience.”

Outside of work Julia enjoys spending time in Northumberland with her two grandchildren Mason, 7, who loves football and boxing, and Ruby, 3, who loves dancing.

She said: “Family is very important to me and I’m fortunate to have worked with many of the BW team previously, including Keith, NHS pension expert Kevin Walker and head of tax Peter Waller, so it’s great to be working with former colleagues who also happen to be some of the best in their field.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting back into the swing of things after being away from the medical side for a while. I really respect BW’s honest and transparent approach to business, there’s a great culture here and I’m looking forward to a career working alongside respected specialists who I already know well.”

Prior to her most recent position, Julia spent 19 years as a client manager for a regional accountancy firm, where she worked her way up from a junior position to client manager where she looked after a portfolio of clients across a range of sectors including healthcare.

She said: “After taking a break from specialised medical accountancy, I will be spending some time shadowing my colleagues and attending courses to ensure I deliver in line with the high standards at BW Medical, and ensuring I’m up to date with the latest regulations.”

Graeme Thorpe, Natural Nutrients

Graeme Thorpe has been unveiled as the new Business Relationship Manager for Natural Nutrients and is excited to start his new role for the company based at Drum Industrial Estate, Chester le Street.

A former Operations and Business Development Manager in Welfare to Work – Graeme has always had an interest in health and fitness and is a very keen runner – and said that working for Natural Nutrients was a dream come true because it’s “One of only a handful of all natural and ‘clean’ supplement companies in the UK and is passionate about doing business ethically and transparently”.

Graeme said “As soon as I saw Natural Nutrients online I became a huge fan, and loved everything about their brand, products and the way they do business.

I never thought I’d end up working for them but once I met Liam, learned more about the company and why it was created, I realised he shared lots of similar frustrations that I did when it comes to finding and buying high quality supplements“

Jacksons law firm

Jacksons law firm, which is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year, has recruited four new members of staff to work at its Newcastle and Teesside offices.

Louise White and Charlotte Alexander join Partner and Head of Corporate Tony Wentworth in the firm’s Teesside office.

Solicitor Louise, from Northallerton, studied at Leeds University and qualified as a solicitor in 2003. She worked for one of the large law firms based in Leeds and specialises in corporate and IP law.

Paralegal Charlotte, who is originally from South Yorkshire, studied at Newcastle University. She brings with her experience of working in-house from the time spent at privately owned commercial company De La Rue, printer of banknotes, including the new £5 polymer, and the new UK passport.

Both will be working with Tony on the firm’s corporate transactions and deals as well as all IP related work.

Tony said: “Louise and Charlotte bring different skills and experience to the team and I’m delighted to have them both on board. We have a number of corporate transactions due to start in the Autumn and their timing joining Jacksons is perfect.

“The corporate team had a fantastic financial year last year with fees increasing by 52% and the appointment of Louise and Charlotte will boost the team’s position to take on additional work”.

Solicitor, Ann Owens, from South Shields, joins the firm’s family department as a consultant following the recent appointment of family solicitor Louisa Bestford. She qualified as a solicitor 22 years ago, and specialises in all aspects of Family Law and is a qualified Mediator.

Ruth Beeton, from High Heaton, has joined the Newcastle office to head up its Residential Conveyancing department. Ruth, who qualified in 2008, joins from a local firm of solicitors where she was Head of Conveyancing and managed a team of 18 people.

Terry Saffin, Partner and head of Residential Conveyancing, at Jacksons said, “The conveyancing department in Newcastle was set up less than a year ago due to demand from clients in and around the Newcastle area.

“The team has gone from strength to strength and is set to expand further in 2017. It’s an exciting time for the department and Ruth will, no doubt, manage the continuing success of the team”.

Mark Roddy, Francis Brown

Engineering and fabrications business Francis Brown has broken tradition by appointing its first leader outside of the family as the firm continues to expand into several markets.

New managing director, Mark Roddy is the first non-Brown to be at the helm of the Stockton-based family run Company in 113 years of trading.

Mark brings with him a wealth of experience in global markets, having previously been responsible for driving quality whilst maintaining the highest standard of health and safety at Aker Solutions in Malaysia and, most recently, MHWirth in Norway.

His career started in the UK where he worked for BEL Valves, in Newcastle, and Harkers Engineering – at the same site now occupied by Francis Brown.

Mark Roddy said: “Francis Brown is a business I’ve followed throughout my 30 years of working in the industry and I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to help take it to the next level.

“The role presents an exciting challenge but I believe my experience – and the Company’s hugely supportive team - puts me on track to succeed.”

Matt Clark, The Works

Chester-le-Street-based creative and marketing agency The Works has appointed a new creative director.

Newest team member Matt Clark has over 20 years of experience in the creative industry working for Manchester and Newcastle agencies.

Since joining The Works on a freelance basis in 2015, Matt has worked on various branding, digital and TV projects, including a transition campaign for Lookers PLC following their acquisition of motor company Benfield last year.

He started his career in Manchester after graduating in Graphic Design from the University of Manchester. Matt then moved back to the north east to widen his skill set in different areas of the industry.

Now part of the creative team at the agency, Matt will be working with managing partner and creative director John Simpson.

Matt said: “Since joining The Works, I have already been part of some massive projects and it was like the right move for me to join the agency full time.

“The Works has a wide range of clients so one day I could be working with a motor client and the next for a social housing organisation – I love the variety!”

John added: “We are delighted that Matt has joined the team full time. Not only has he been a real asset when working on client projects, he has played a huge part in our milestone year and we look forward to what else he will bring to the team in the future.”

Watson Burton

Commercial law firm Watson Burton has strengthened its senior team with three new partner appointments.

Paul Wigham, of Watson Burton’s corporate team, property specialist Julie Farrell-Knowles and Anthony Rance, a commercial litigator based in the Leeds office, have all accepted roles as partners at the Newcastle-headquartered firm.

Patrick Harwood, CEO of Watson Burton, revealed: “This is an exciting time for Watson Burton and we’re delighted to be to forging ahead with three new partners on board.

“The promotions support Watson Burton’s commitment to business growth, expanding our market reach in key practice areas and enabling our talented team to flourish.

“Paul, Julie and Anthony have all made a hugely important contribution to Watson Burton’s recent success and will continue to do so in their new positions.”

Join us next week for more appointment news.

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