This week's North East appointments

Welcome to your latest roundup of appointments from across the region.

Mark Thorman, Hindley Circuits

Cramlington-based electronic assembly services specialist, Hindley Circuits, has announced the appointment of Mark Thorman as operations manager.

Mark is one of various appointments being made across the business, which has also committed to ongoing investment in technology and equipment. In the last 12 months, this stands at £550k.

Mark said: “During what is now our second trading year, we intend to make a step change in our key business processes and capability to ensure we can consistently respond to growth.”

Mark will play a lead role in the planning and implementation of process improvements.

With a strategic role and operating outside of the day-to-day production environment, he will make recommendations as to techniques and processes that will ensure even greater efficiency within the business as it drives forward.

Andrew Hindhaugh, Simpsons Malt Ltd

Based in Berwick-upon-Tweed, family-owned Simpsons Malt Ltd, has announced a new member of its board of directors, Andrew Hindhaugh.

With 33 years of experience within the agricultural industry, Andrew has worked in the agricultural trading division of the business, McCreath Simpson & Prentice (MSP), since 1996.

Speaking about his appointment, Simpsons Malt’s managing director, Tim McCreath, said: “We welcome Andrew to the role and look forward to his expert and passionate insight.

“His main focus will be on the merchanting side of the business, which is such an integral and strategic part of Simpsons Malt Ltd.”

Having studied agriculture, food and marketing at Newcastle University before beginning his career at HG McCreath (part of Associated British Maltsters) and Dalgety Agriculture, Andrew has a much valued wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise.

Chris Ward, PG Legal

Commercial law firm, PG Legal has appointed a new director at a time of strategic growth for the business.

The firm has welcomed experienced litigation expert, Chris Ward, who has become an equity director in the business. Chris brings over 30 years of litigation experience to the firm gained from a successful career in the legal industry.

Chris joins existing directors, and well-known North East lawyers, Phil Dean and Jonathan Fletcher at the firm’s head office in Gateshead.

Chris will be helping to develop the client base within the litigation department as the firms looks to establish itself as one of the go to firms for litigation services.

He said: “This is an exciting time for PG Legal… Its reputation as an approachable firm, which supports not only the big businesses in the region but also the North East’s SME’s, is continuing to expand thanks to its business development and marketing strategy.

“I look forward to playing a key role in the continued growth of the firm, especially in relation to its litigation services.”

Sarah Barratt, Muckle LLP

Independent law firm for businesses, Muckle LLP, has boosted its real estate dispute resolution team with the appointment of property litigation lawyer, Sarah Barratt.

The firm now has 10 specialists working on both commercial and residential property disputes and is generating over four per cent of the firm’s annual turnover, up from one per cent in 2017.

Sarah has joined Muckle LLP from Hay and Kilner, where she worked for over 20 years, specialising in residential property disputes with particular expertise in possession claims and antisocial behaviours cases.

She said: “I’m delighted to join the Muckle team and to be working alongside my colleagues who have so much specialist expertise and knowledge in real estate dispute resolution.

“Muckle has an excellent reputation in this area and the chance to be part of one of the region’s most successful property litigation teams was too good to turn down.”

Helen Merrey, Leeds Building Society

Leeds Building Society has strengthened its intermediary team with the appointment of a new business development manager in the North East.

Helen Merrey has joined the Society’s team to further enhance the services offered to brokers in the region, with a specific focus on Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Teesside and Darlington.

She brings with her 18 years of experience of the finance sector, which most recently includes four years as a field business development manager at Virgin Money.

Helen said: “I have heard great feedback from brokers about Leeds Building Society and the intermediary team.

“I’m looking forward to contributing to enhancing the service provided to brokers and increasing the Society’s market share.

“The intermediary team here prides itself on the strength of relationships with brokers and I’m determined to develop a great future for ourselves and our partners.”

Rob Dungworth, Arcinova

Multi-service contract research and development organisation, Arcinova has appointed Rob Dungworth as head of regulatory, technical and administration systems to oversee its business operations.

Rob brings more than 25 years of experience to Alnwick’s Arcinova, which provides both integrated end-to-end solutions and standalone services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Rob studied chemistry at the University of Huddersfield and has a postgraduate diploma in industrial pharmaceutical sciences from Brighton University.

In his new role for Arcinova, Rob will be responsible for managing the company’s information technology system and human resources function and ensuring Arcinova’s compliance with its legal obligations of cGxP. He will also play a key role in setting and shaping internal strategies.

Commenting on his new role, he said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Head of Regulatory, Technical and Administration Systems at Arcinova.

“The company has experienced major growth over the last two years and it’s an exciting time to be joining the team. I’m looking forward to playing my part in driving the business forward and being part of the journey at Arcinova.”

Mark Ketley, Bradley Hall

The region’s fastest growing property firm has welcomed a new director to head its planning and design arm amid continued and significant expansion.

Chartered surveyors and estate agents, Bradley Hall, one of the most active agents in the region, has appointed Mark Ketley to oversee BH Planning and Design from its head office in Newcastle.

Mark joins the firm following a successful career within local authority planning. He spent over ten years with Northumberland County Council, which included his most recent role as head of planning services.

Mark said: “In recent years, Bradley Hall has rapidly became a key player in the North East property industry, and I am delighted to join a team of professional industry experts with an outstanding track record.

“My role will include managing a number of exciting projects while attracting new business and growing the BH Planning and Design team. I am looking forward to playing a part in the changing landscape of the region at an exciting time of development and opportunity for the North East.”

His appointment will also see the expansion of the company’s planning and design arm which has been introduced to continue and grow the firm’s ability to provide a full-service approach to all aspects of both commercial and residential property.

Derick Jackson, GVA

Derick Jackson, who heads up GVA’s Property Management department in Newcastle has been promoted to senior director.

Derick has worked for GVA for 18 years and is renowned for being quick to take on new opportunities and ideas, and for his approach with some of the firm’s key clients and projects including Ares, Moorfield and Taras Properties.

Gerry Hughes, chief executive at GVA, said: “We are a people-driven business and have built our success on recognising and rewarding talent within our business.

“It is incredibly important that we invest in our people and maintain an environment that allows people to progress and, ultimately, move up through the business.”

David Cox, Mincoffs Solicitors

Newcastle’s Mincoffs Solicitors has appointed specialist IT solicitor, David Cox to the commercial team as an associate, strengthening the firm’s reputation as one of the region’s biggest technology law firms.

David graduated from the University of Oxford in 1997 and initially worked in the IT industry. During this time, he gained experience with global leaders in both the pharmaceutical and banking sectors.

David has carried this IT knowledge into his legal career and has advised on a range of complex and high value commercial contracts, including various engineering and technology projects.

David said: “I’m really excited to join the team at Mincoffs, which is a recognised leading player in the North East legal IT sector.

“Mincoffs’ emphasis on providing accessible, commercially-focused advice has provided a great cultural fit for me, coming from an in-house legal background and I really look forward to working with the firm and its clients.”