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This week’s North East appointments

A roundup of the latest appointments from across the North East.

Bob Paton, hedgehog lab

Newcastle-headquartered app developer hedgehog lab has appointed North East tech leader Bob Paton CBE as a non-executive director.

Bob, who retired as MD of Accenture’s Newcastle Delivery Centre in July, will work primarily as advisor to the board and senior management team, focusing on scaling the business while boosting skills and development training.

Beginning his career with Accenture 24 years ago, Mr Paton was responsible for launching the Newcastle Delivery Centre in 2010.

As well as overseeing its growth, he spearheaded a renowned apprenticeship programme, praised for its focus on willingness to learn rather than just academic prowess.

A co-founder of Dynamo North East, he last year won the Outstanding Contribution to the Profession accolade at the UK IT Industry Awards, and was given a CBE for his contribution to skills and apprenticeships in the region.

Towards the end of his time with Accenture, Mr Paton was also appointed interim chief executive of the North East LEP.

Since retiring, he has worked with wife Ann on Hexhamshire Organics, selling produce from their smallholding in Hexham, Northumberland.

Mr Paton also sits on the board of governors at several educational establishments, including the new North East Futures UTC, and is a non-executive chairman at RTC North in Sunderland.

Established in 2010 as ‘post-PC’ tech consultancy, hedgehog lab builds apps for smartphones, tablets, wearables and similar devices.

Bob said: “I’m excited by the plans for hedgehog lab and am keen to help deliver on them. I’ve watched the company from afar for a while and every time I’ve met Sarat I’ve been impressed by his drive and vision.

“hedgehog lab wants to expand, and since I’ve overseen the creation and growth of Accenture’s Newcastle Delivery Centre, I want to pass on the knowledge, insight and lessons learned from that experience.”

Gradon Architecture

Gradon Architecture, which has bases in Gateshead, Derry and Ulan Bator, Mongolia, has appointed three new staff, growing the team to 22 across the three locations.

Andrew Thompson, 25, joins the team in Ryton as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant and arrives at the practice with two years’ industry experience under his belt after taking time out to complete a Masters in Architecture.

Andrew, from Middleborough, who studied at Northumbria University, will be working on Gradon’s projects across the North East and South East regions.

Andrew said: “I was aware of Gradon growing across the UK and internationally and was very impressed with the achievements of the team, which encouraged me to apply for the position. I’m thrilled to have been successful; it’s a great opportunity to join the practice at such an exciting time.

“I’m looking forward to developing my career and contributing to Gradon’s future success stories.”

Kelly Gormley, 29, and Lauren McLaughlin, 26, will join Gradon’s Derry-based team as Part 2 Architectural Assistants working with Architectural Director Sean Furey and Technical Director Liam Neils, who are spearheading the practice’s move into London as well as heading up operations in Northern Ireland.

Graham McDarby, founder and Managing Director of Gradon Architecture, said: “We’ve recently secured a number of new exciting projects in North East England and Northern Ireland, as well as expanding into London for the first time, and this has enabled us to be in the fantastic position of recruiting a number of new staff.”

Kate Russell, Narrative

Kate Russell has joined Sunderland-based Narrative Integrated Communications as a PR Director.

With 16 years in the PR industry under her belt, Kate has previously worked for agencies in the North East, Manchester and Leeds, including Weber Shandwick, Ptarmigan and Gardiner Richardson on a range of b2b and b2c clients in the private and public sector and has won a series of awards for her work.

She will oversee new business and the strategic development and growth of Narrative’s PR division, which delivers both traditional and digital PR campaigns for a growing portfolio of national and regional clients.

Kate said: “It’s an exciting time at Narrative and we are continuing to win new clients in a number of sectors, including education, charity, social housing and business growth. I’m looking forward to bringing my skills and experience to the team.”

Kate is the fourth new recruit to join the Narrative team following increased demand for new and existing service strands including PR, creative, advertising, digital media and marketing strategy.

Kieron Goldsborough, managing director of Narrative, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kate to Narrative at this crucial point in our growth journey.

“She has an impressive track record in delivering first-class campaigns for clients across the full PR spectrum and in winning new business. I have no doubt that her experience and fresh insight will be a real asset to the team and wider business.”

Scott Logic

Software development consultancy Scott Logic has appointed four new developers to work out of its Newcastle base.

Two of the new developers, Michael Boyd, 28, and Paul Hands, 27, completed their studies safe in the knowledge they had a job to go to, as both accepted their offers of employment around a year ago.

Michael, from Cramlington in Northumberland, who has a PhD in systems neuroscience from Newcastle University, even attended last year’s Scott Logic Christmas party in an effort to get to know his new colleagues well in advance of his first day.

He said: “The job offer from Scott Logic took the pressure off. A lot of the academics around me were stressing throughout the final year of the research, right up until the end in some cases, and some had put off job-hunting until they completed their doctorate.

“As I had a job lined up, it meant I could take a short break and spend some relaxation time with my wife Ashley after my PhD, rather than having to begin the search.”

Similarly, Paul, from Sunderland, who has just completed his PhD in neuroscience at Newcastle University, focusing on the brain’s interaction with and interpretation of 3D technology said: “I was offered the job in October 2015, and that meant I could relax somewhat. It focused my attention to help make my research more enjoyable.”

After a couple of months of respite, during which keen sportsman Paul also met several of his team mates at the Scott Logic summer party, the pair are enjoying their transition into industry so far.

Michael, who initially studied Physics at the University of York before completing an MSc in Computer Science at Imperial College London and converting to an MSc in Advanced Computer Science at Newcastle University, said: “It’s a steep learning curve, but not too dissimilar in many ways to my PhD, which looked into the nitty gritty of how the brain works, in particular focusing on the visual cortex.”

And Paul, who had been keen to remain in his native North East as he prepares to become a father, added: “I’m still very much learning the ropes, but the work is very interesting and everyone has been very friendly. I’m particularly enjoying the problem solving aspects of the role.”

Originally from Loughborough, Thomas Morgan, 26, completed an MPhys in Physics at Durham University before moving on to a PhD in Particle Physics, also at Durham. He also became aware of Scott Logic several months ago, and accepted an offer from the firm, which specialises in providing solutions to the financial sector, early in 2016.

He said: “As I spent so much time working on learning simulations and programming these for my thesis, it made natural sense to become a computer scientist, and I came across Scott Logic at a STEM careers fair and spoke to one of its volunteers.

“I was keen to stay in the North East and I really like the company; everyone seems pretty relaxed. So far it’s been quite a transition, but very interesting and lots to do, with more flexibility than I expected having come from an academic background.”

Thomas is now keen to get involved in Scott Logic’s work on big data. This week, the trio have been joined by Lithuanian maths graduate Andrius Velykis, 32, who came to England in 2008 to gain an MSc in software engineering from the University of York, before completing his PhD in computer science at Newcastle University last year.

Keen reader Andrius, who was referred to Scott Logic by a friend already working at the firm, said: “I’m looking forward to building good systems that we can be proud of. I’m somewhat of a perfectionist and I am most happy when I get a really good outcome in what I’m doing.

“I’m looking forward to going back to coding and using the latest technologies and approaches to do my work.”

Tony Harmieson, FBE

A face familiar to most people involved in the region’s property, infrastructure and construction sectors has taken up a new role as chairman of the Newcastle branch of the national organisation Forum for the Built Environment (FBE).

Tony Harmieson, managing director of Sadler Brown Architecture, was introduced to members and guests of the Newcastle branch at a recent FBE event.

Tony is taking over the mantle of chair from Graham Booth, who has stood down in order to concentrate on his national role on FBE’s main board and as Regional Director for the North East and Cumbria.

He will also be turning his attention to extending the reach of the FBE in the northern region by launching new branches in both Teesside and Cumbria later this year. Each new branch will have its own ‘local’ chairman.

Tony said: “I am extremely passionate about construction and development within the North East and that is why I am so excited about taking on this new role within FBE.

“Over the last decade I consider myself extremely fortunate to have built many strong working relationships with some of the region’s best consultants and contractors.

“It is with these relationships and local market knowledge that I look forward to building an even bigger platform for FBE to be heard going forward.

“I’m looking forward to getting my teeth into my new role and building greater awareness of the organisation, as well as championing a construction industry which, in my opinion, is full of outstandingly talented individuals and companies. “

Paul Brown, Seaton Lane Inn

The Seaton Lane Inn, part of the Inn Collection Group, has appointed a new general manager.

Paul Brown, 39, joins The Seaton Lane Inn after 21 years’ experience in the pub industry and having previously managing sister inn, The Kings Head Inn located at Newton under Roseberry in North Yorkshire for the last three years.

Paul said: “I’m thrilled with the new challenge of running The Seaton Lane Inn and building up the range of offers for our guests. We’ve always had the sports evenings and this will continue – but we are really upping the drinks and food offers too.”

“There will be strong focus on traditional, well-known and new cask ales, which are already going down well and I’m looking forward to welcoming in as many regulars and new faces as possible.”

Other plans include a full schedule of events throughout the week to keep people entertained, including quiz nights with prizes, and revamping the menu.

Sean Donkin, operations director from The Inn Collection Group, which owns The Seaton Lane Inn, said: “Paul has proven he’s a valuable member of the Inn Collection team through his time at the Kings Head Inn and I’m delighted to see him take the reins at Seaton Lane Inn.

“As a company, we focus on promoting from within the group and take pride in growing our people’s skills and experience. Paul is a great example of this in action and we wish him the very best in his new role.”

Chris Moor, The Kings Head Inn

The Kings Head Inn, the country pub at Newton under Roseberry in North Yorkshire, has appointed a new general manager.

Chris Moor, 35, joins The Kings Head Inn, part of the Inn Collection Company, after 15-years of experience in the pub industry.

Chris, who previously worked in The Lindisfarne Inn and The Bamburgh Castle Inn, has re-joined the Inn Collection after a six-year stint working in Cambridge and Milton Keynes for pub retailer and brewer Greene King.

Chris said: “I am thrilled to be welcomed back to The Inn Collection Group, and especially privileged to be located here at Teesside’s most famous landmark, Roseberry Topping!”

As part of his plans to increase the popularity of The Inn, Chris has developed a walking package aimed at those who want to explore the beauty of the local area. As well as dinner, bed and breakfast, walkers will also receive a pint on arrival, packed lunches for each day, laminated walking maps and even a boot cleaning service!

Chris and his kitchen team are also revamping the menu using a variety of products from local butchers and other suppliers.

Sean Donkin, operations director from The Inn Collection Group, which owns The Kings Head Inn, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Chris back to The Inn Collection family. His plans to build upon the success of The Inn are incredibly exciting and we’re excited to see them come to fruition.

“As a company, we like promoting from within the group and take pride in growing our people’s skills and experience, and Chris re-joining the team is a wonderful example of this. We wish him the very best in his new role.”

Join us next week for more appointment news.

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