Member Article

This week's North East appointments

The latest appointment news from across the North East.

Muckle LLP

North East law firm Muckle LLP has strengthened its team with eight senior promotions, including three new partners.

Jess Swindells, Joanne Davison and James Armstrong have been made partner and five other solicitors have been promoted to associate or senior associate positions.

Jess Swindells joined Muckle’s banking and restructuring team in 2011 and is experienced in all aspects of non-contentious banking and finance work. She has worked for many major national and international banks and numerous corporate borrowers, advising on some of the North East’s largest corporate deals. She also specialises in shipping and international trade, from shipbuilding contracts to superyacht sales.

Joanne Davison, a key member of the firm’s education team, leads much of its schools and academies work and specialises in governance, legal structures and charity law. Joanne has played a pivotal role in growing the education practice and has helped the firm support more than 100 academy conversions in the last few years.

James Armstrong trained at Muckle and has worked in its real estate team since he qualified in 2006. James advises on all aspects of real estate law and is working on some of the region’s biggest projects including the former Consett Steelworks regeneration, Sunderland’s Music, Arts & Culture Trust development and the Stephenson Quarter project in Newcastle.

Jason Wainwright, managing partner at Muckle LLP, said: “I’m delighted for Jess, Joanne and James. They are all exceptionally talented, care passionately about the region and are fiercely committed to keeping promises to Muckle’s clients.

“Our banking, education and real estate teams are all ranked number one in the North by the Legal 500 UK and our real estate team recently won Property Law Firm of the Year at the inaugural Insider North East Property Awards.

“It is also very clear that, despite an increasingly competitive market, we have continued to perform at the highest level and I don’t think there has ever been a more exciting time to be part of our business.”

Muckle have also promoted Stephanie Coulson (commercial), Lisa Kelly (employment), Richard Nixon and Julie Adams (real estate) to associates. Jennifer Hirst (Corporate) has been promoted to senior associate.

Jason added: “Recognising our best people is really important to us and I’m proud to announce so many senior promotions within Muckle. They are all thoroughly deserved.”

Paul Varley, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has strengthened its support for the north east real estate sector with the appointment of a new head of property for the region.

Paul Varley will lead one of Lloyds Bank’s largest regional real estate teams and has considerable experience in the commercial banking sector, having been with the group for nearly 30 years.

His will lead a team of relationship directors, who are based across the region, in developing fresh opportunities to support clients in buying, refinancing and developing commercial and residential investment properties.

Paul said: “The real estate sector is integral to the north east economy and Lloyds Bank has a dedicated team of experienced relationship directors who are committed to supporting firms with the kind of specialised expertise and tailored finance they need to grow.

“We invest time in understanding our clients’ business and commit to building strong relationships that are focused on helping them achieve their ambitions.

“I’m confident that my experience will enable me to lead the team to build on its success and continue supporting new and existing clients in making the most of the opportunities they face.”

Fraser Quin, Dementia Care

North East charity Dementia Care has welcomed Fraser Quin as its new chief executive officer.

In his new role, Dr Quin will be overseeing the strategic direction of the North East’s leading specialist dementia charity.

Dementia Care is a Newcastle-based charity that provides specialist care, support and advice to people with dementia

The charity runs specialist day centres in Newcastle upon Tyne and Hexham and provides a range of services for those with dementia and their families.

Dr Quin, said: “I am really looking forward to leading such a worthwhile organisation and playing my part, alongside the staff and Trustees in helping shape its future. Dementia Care is the region’s leading specialist dementia charity and our broad and innovative approach, from our specialist housing to our day centres in Newcastle and Hexham and the respite facility, offer the very best care and support. “

Chair of Trustees, Moira Livingstone at Dementia Care, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Fraser Quin to our team.

“His experience working specifically with dementia charities and his extensive knowledge of strategic development, make him the perfect choice to help drive the organisation forward.

Joshua Robinson, She’s Gott It

Event management business She’s Gott It, which organises over 50 major events around the UK every year, has appointed Joshua Robinson to manage its new AV division.

Mr Robinson has worked on events from five-star hotels, resorts and conference centres to television sets and live broadcasts (all the way from Sydney to London) and will bring these skills to add to the She’s Gott It eight strong team.

As well as organising launch events, conferences, exhibitions, festivals and other celebrations for a wide range of household name clients such as Sage plc, Hitachi, JDR Cables and Vertu Motors PLC, the new offer will be available for clients who want to run their own events, but who need technical support and/or equipment to make them happen.

This investment and growth of the business offering is as a result of a recent £150,000 investment the Finance For Business North East Growth Fund managed by the regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers.

Nickie Gott, company director, said “I am very proud of our reputation for delivering great events and this addition to our offer will give us an opportunity to not only be a one stop event shop but also have even greater control on the end result.

“It will also increase our turnover and profit margin, helping to grow the business and allow us to demonstrate a strong return on the investment.”

Join us next monday for more North East appointment news.