This week's North East appointments

Your first roundup of North East appointments for 2018 is here.

Aimee Robson, Active Chartered Financial Planners

Active Chartered Financial Planners, one of the North East and Yorkshire’s biggest firms of Chartered Financial Planners, is growing its team by having appointed paraplanner, Aimee Robson, to join its Stockton-on-Tees office.

Aimee Robson began her career in financial services in 2011 with Mercury Wealth Management as part of the administration team. She then took on additional training to become a paraplanner.

As a paraplanner, Aimee provides invaluable support to Active’s adviser team, researching the range of products and services available to clients and writing detailed reports in preparation for the advice given.

Karl Pemberton, managing director of Active, said: “We are delighted to welcome Aimee to the team, as we saw a lot of talent in her when we met her.

“As one of the most respected financial planning firms in the North East, Active is committed to finding and developing individuals who will help us to maintain our excellent standards. I am in no doubt Aimee will go from strength to strength while working with us.”

Robson added: “I wanted to work with Active because of the firm’s fantastic reputation in the industry both as financial planners and as an employer.

“I will shortly be commencing study to myself become a financial adviser, something that Active is fully supportive of. I am very excited about what I will be able to achieve.”

Sammy Sadler, O Communications

Newcastle’s O Communications has expanded its team with the first of several new recruits planned for 2018.

Sammy Sadler, 25, has joined the award-winning agency as marketing manager, previously working as sales and marketing manager at Bdaily.

Being a journalism graduate, Sammy is putting her skills to use in creative content marketing, social media, video as well as running the agency’s own events programme.

Sammy said: “I’ve always been passionate about marketing and communications and I’m thrilled to start the new year with a position at O.

“I was drawn to the agency due to its reputation in the North East for being a dynamic, talented creative team with an impressive range of high-profile clients like Flymo, British Masters and Parkdean Resorts.” O’s managing director, Kari Owers, added: “Sammy’s journalism and inbound marketing experience is perfect for our approach to our brand communications. We believe in storytelling rather than hard selling, so her editorial skills fit perfectly into our team.”

James Robson, Entrepreneurs’ Forum

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has appointed experienced North East business owner, mentor and investor James Robson MBE as its new chairman.

Robson succeeds Nigel Mills CBE, who held the position for six years and is an entrepreneur who has launched and invested in a number of growing businesses. Mills will remain on the board.

Robson established Exwold Technology in Billingham in 1992, a contract chemical processing company operating in the agrochemical and speciality markets. The company currently operates from four sites in Tees Valley, with a turnover in excess of £10m.

Now a non-executive director of Exwold, Robson can focus more of his time on sharing the lessons he has learnt during his own entrepreneurial journey with other businesses.

Robson said: “I am very honoured to be appointed chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. I would like to thank Nigel Mills on behalf of the members for his dedicated and loyal service during his chairmanship and I look forward to building on his achievements.

“The access Entrepreneurs’ Forum gives business owners to a strong and diverse network is vital to the success of so many North East firms.

“Being an entrepreneur should never be a lonely existence and the opportunity to engage with fellow business owners who have experience and expertise to share is without doubt one of the most valuable resources available to our members.”

Mills added: “I am delighted to pass the chairmanship of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum to James who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role.”

Nick Lane; Susan Blair; Richard Podd; Paul Brady, PwC Newcastle

PwC has appointed four new members to its North East practice.

Richard Podd has been promoted to tax partner and will be responsible for continuing to grow the existing strong tax practice in Newcastle, capitalising on the opportunities presented by regulatory change in both tax and statutory audit markets.

The practice has also appointed three new directors. Nick Lane has been promoted to director of corporate finance, Susan Blair director of tax and global mobility, and Paul Brady - cyber and risk assurance director.

Bill MacLeod, PwC Newcastle office’s senior partner, commented: “It’s extremely pleasing to see members of the Newcastle team continue to progress and take advantage of the opportunities to develop within the firm.

“We remain focused on maintaining a diverse and inclusive practice that represents a broad range of skills, backgrounds and experience, and reflects our clients’ changing needs.

“These appointments will ensure that we have the capabilities and strengths across the North East to continue to support our clients, our business and the wider economy.”

As a major UK employer, PwC is committed to broadening access to a career in professional services and being a part of creating a diverse workforce for the future.

Libbie Henderson, Muckle LLP

North East-based independent law firm for businesses, Muckle LLP, has boosted its growing real estate team with the appointment of Libbie Henderson.

Henderson has joined Muckle as a partner after leaving her role as head of real estate at Watson Burton.

The high profile appointment is a further boost to Muckle’s growing real estate team, which has expanded by over 40 per cent in the last 12 months with the addition of six new lawyers.

Henderson, who has an LLB (Hons) from the University of Birmingham and studied for her Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the University of Northumbria, is an expert in all aspects of property development.

Henderson specialises in energy, waste and minerals; her experience includes regeneration of greenfield and brownfield sites and land-based energy projects, including wind, solar and nuclear.

She commented: “Muckle’s real estate team has an enviable reputation as a market leader for its work in the region and nationally, and I’m thrilled to be joining such a well-respected team and legal firm.

“The forward thinking culture that exists within Muckle and its dedication to the North East were key factors in my decision to join the business.”

Daniel Sanderson, Business Central

Business Central in Darlington has appointed Daniel Sanderson as an operations support assistant.

The business centre, made up of 60 offices, was built in 2014 to house the region’s business talent and has recruited a new member of staff to help deliver its services to business owners.

Sanderson is to assist with the day-to-day operations in the building as more firms choose to base their business at the centre.

He brings experience to the newly created role having previously worked as an operations assistant for a sportswear distributor in Durham.

With the skills he has acquired, the 23-year-old aims to have a positive impact on business owners and anyone who comes through Business Central’s doors.

Sanderson commented: “I like dealing with people. I share the excitement people have when they move in; it’s a proud moment for a business owner when they get their own office and I want to help them feel comfortable in their new-found business community.

“My role involves assisting with the running of the centre; I’ll help our tenants by setting up their phones and assist with any IT problems they may have as well as set up rooms for business meetings.”

Business Central now has four members of staff on board and Sanderson has outlined what they hope to achieve.

Business Central’s centre manager, Vanessa Wood, commented: “I’m very pleased to welcome Dan here. It’s an exciting time for the area as a whole and he is looking forward to the challenge.”