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This week's North East appointments

The latest appointments from across the North East this week.

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David Varty, Howard Russell

A North East based construction firm, which is celebrating its 20th year in business, has announced the formation of a new board of directors following the retirement of one of its founder members.

Howard Russell Construction, which employs 33 staff from its office at Apex Business Village in Cramlington, was established in 1997 by David Varty and Joe Prouse, with Ian Goss joining them in 2003 as Commercial Director.

After 20 years at the helm of operations, Joe Prouse has announced his retirement and David Varty will take on the role of managing director following a share repurchase in March of this Year.

The firm has promoted a number of its staff and formed a new board which includes Ian Goss as chairman, Craig Muldoon as technical and sales director, Barry Wilkinson as contracts director and Andrea Styles as company secretary.

David Varty commented: “Last month we celebrated our 20th anniversary, which was a fantastic moment for the whole firm and with Joe’s retirement this really is an important year for us. We have worked very hard to secure work in the Midlands and South of England and we are now beginning to see the benefits with this year set to be our best yet.”

Ian Goss added: “Joe and David built the business on a shared ethos of trust, quality and pride, which has undoubtedly helped us to get to where we are today. With a strong new board of directors and a great team, we are optimistic for the future of the business.”

Chris Jude, FBE

The Forum for the Built Environment (FBE) has appointed Chris Jude as regional director for the North East and Cumbria, replacing Graham Booth who is stepping down after four years in the role.

During Mr Booth’s term of office, the FBE has welcomed key speakers from the North East LEP, Newcastle NHS Trust, Silverlink Property Developments and many more who have helped to raise the networking organisation’s profile in the region.

FBE members and their guests have also supported the regular social events that take place including the annual clay pigeon shoot held in conjunction with Constructing Excellence North East.

Chris who not only is the founder of the well-established chartered surveying and project management consultancy, Building Surveyors Ltd is further known for the work he does in his role as Chairman of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors.

Chris said: “I’m delighted to be taking up the role of regional director. Despite facing a raft of challenges, the North East’s property development and construction industry is continuing to thrive.

“This is in no small part down to the high calibre of people and businesses we have operating in the sector – many of which are FBE members – and I’m looking forward to working with them to ensure continued success for both individual organisations and the industry.”

Howarth Litchfield

Architecture practice Howarth Litchfield has appointed Paul Skepper and Daniel Salkeld in two newly-created positions at its Durham office.

Appointed as project architect, Paul is currently working on a variety of schemes including improvements to a nature reserve visitor centre, a vets practice in Stockton on Tees and a master plan and new swimming pool on two holiday parks in the region.

Durham lad Daniel, one of a clutch of talented students to graduate this year from Northumbria University (Northumbria), has joined Howarth Litchfield as an architectural technologist.

In addition to his studies at Northumbria, he also possesses a qualification in graphic design, which, he believes, will help him to become an accomplished technologist.

Commenting on the expansion of the team, Neil Turner said: “I’m delighted to welcome both Paul and Daniel to the practice.

“Paul’s experience adds further depth to our versatile team of architects and interior designers and increases our ability to respond to the growing number of enquiries and appointments we continue to receive.

“Meanwhile, I’m extremely confident that Daniel too will make a positive contribution and by working with such an experienced team will hone his technical skills quickly.”

Anne Shiels, Newcastle Building Society

Newcastle Building Society has appointed Anne Shiels as a non executive director. She is one of two non executive directors to join the Board this year as the Society continues its successful growth and investment programme.

Newcastle Building Society, the North East’s largest regional building society, was recently voted Best Regional Building Society 2017 in the What Mortgage Awards.

Anne is an HR professional with extensive executive and board level experience across a broad range of sectors. Most recently she held executive director roles at Hallmark Cards and Lloyds Banking Group/HBOS.

She is also an advisor to the education sector, with a passion for creating closer links between business, education and community.

Newcastle Building Society chairman, Phil Moorhouse, commented on Anne’s appointment, alongside that of former Nationwide director, Bryce Glover, which was recently announced:

“These significant senior appointments bring valuable skills and expertise to our Board. Anne and Bryce will make a real contribution to helping deliver our ambition and commitment to create a great building society for the people of the North East and beyond. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to them both.”

Lauren Wearmouth, Ithica Films

Teesside filmmakers Ithica Films have appointed Lauren Wearmouth in a new role as Head of Finance & Operations to support the company’s continued growth.

The move is the first role to be created outside of the filmmaking team to aid development of the company, which has become a key player in the North East’s Digital & Creative sector after launching in 2014.

Managing Director Matt McGough: “It’s awesome that Lauren has joined our team, we’d worked closely with her through her role in the Boho Zone and when we created the role we only had one candidate in mind for it.

“As Ithica Films has grown, the complexity has risen and we wanted a superstar to help us with this.”

Carl Hopper, Lynemouth Power

Lynemouth Power in Ashington, Northumberland, has appointed Carl Hopper as managing director.

Carl takes over the reins as the plant nears completion of a full conversion from coal to biomass power under the ownership of Czech energy company, EPH.

His appointment marks a return to familiar territory for Carl as he first worked at the plant for almost ten years from 1997, initially as senior maintenance engineer before progressing to production shift manager.

On leaving the plant in 2006 Carl joined Siemens Energy Service as head of service and repair. Over the next 10 years, Carl progressed rapidly through the ranks at Siemens, going on to become director of field service and engineering before his promotions to operations director and interim managing director.

Speaking on his return to Lynemouth Power, Carl said: “The chance to return to Lynemouth was very attractive and not to be missed, presenting not only an exciting challenge but also the chance to return to my roots having worked here before.

“I’m so pleased to be back and it’s been great to see a lot of familiar, friendly faces from my last stint at the station when it was part of the Alcan complex.”

“Lynemouth has been thoroughly transformed during my absence, no longer the power source for a single purpose as it was when part of Alcan but a thriving business in its own right.

“It is very encouraging to see the levels of investment by our parent company EPH, not just in Lynemouth Power but at other sites as part of the organisation’s growing presence in the UK.”

James Hall, Orange Bus

Newcastle-headquartered Orange Bus has hired James Hall (picture attached) as chief commercial officer following a period of significant expansion which has seen the digital agency grow revenues to more than £9.5m.

With a wealth of experience in corporate strategy and business development, James has worked on projects all over the globe including Libya and Kazakhstan.

He spent the last four years at energy services company ENGIE, where he led an international team developing smart digital solutions designed to improve the lives of local communities.

In his new role at Orange Bus, he will be responsible for revenue growth across the business and the strategic development of new accounts.

James, who was previously a business support board member of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I’m thrilled to join one of the region’s most progressive digital agencies - Orange Bus has a reputation for understanding clients’ complex problems and solving these by applying digital thinking and its knowledge of cutting-edge technologies to deliver tangible transformations.

“I’m looking forward to building on this and helping deliver significant growth. Technology is evolving at a rapid rate and we’re at the forefront of this revolution, helping clients across all sectors capitalise on commercial opportunities provided by the digital space.”

Join us next week for more North East appointment news.