This week's North East appointments

Kenton Bazeley and Helen Lyne, Archers Law

Teesside-based Archers Law has added to its litigation team with two new hires.

Kenton Bazeley joined the company as partner and head of litigation and Helen Lyne as associate solicitor.

Kenton, previously a partner with another regional law firm, said: “It is an extremely exciting time to be joining Archers.

“The firm has focused on the commercial offering and the evident growth and development in this area has put them in an enviable position in the Teesside legal market.”

He added: “I luckily have been given an opportunity to be part of this development, which I am looking forward to.”

As members of Archers’ litigation team, Kenton and Helen will work alongside partner Angela Torrance and associate solicitor Richard Flounders.

Managing partner Chris Todd commented: “Over recent years we have focused on developing the services within our business client department by recruiting high calibre solicitors and increasing the level of instructions we receive.

“Kenton’s appointment as a Partner shows further growth in the firm and provides us with a fresh approach to the development of our litigation and dispute service.”

Chris continued: “With Helen joining the firm at the same time we have doubled the size of our legal service provision in this area of law and are able to offer a wider breadth of legal expertise to our clients.”

Kevin Strachan and Claire Birnie, Steel River Consultants

Health and safety consultancy Steel River Consultants (SRC) has announced two appointments.

Kevin Strachan joined Teesside-based SRC as operations director and Claire Birnie in the role of senior project manager with the firm’s sister company, Steel River Cost and Project Management.

Prior to his appointment, Kevin spent 17 years with British Telecom.

He said: “SRC’s business is already well-established within the renewables sector. Going forward that is still going to be very important, because our reputation is second-to-none, but we also see real growth opportunities in forging new partnerships with companies working in other sectors that need our expertise in health and safety.

“We are already recruiting and, if everything goes to plan, we will be looking to double in size over the next five years.”

Claire’s background in project management includes work on social housing schemes, prison refurbs and, more recently, a makeover of the Hatton Gallery at Newcastle University’s Fine Art School.

She commented: “I’m delighted to be working back home again because I want to make a positive contribution to the area and help it do well.”

Patrick Lawson, Cleveland Bridge UK

Darlington-based Cleveland Bridge UK has appointed a senior business development manager.

Patrick Lawson has 25 years of experience in the steel fabrication industry, with a background combining design experience with sales.

He joined Cleveland Bridge from structural steel business Severfield, where he was sales manager for nearly three years.

In his new role, Patrick will focus on recent project wins covering the bridge, highways and rail sectors.

He said: “I am really pleased to join Cleveland Bridge UK, which has a deserved global reputation for excellence and innovation.

“I was attracted by its brand, heritage and its recent successes, which have included delivering major road and rail crossings as part of national infrastructure projects.”

He continued: “Cleveland Bridge UK continues to deliver quality products thanks to its technical expertise and highly-skilled workforce and I’m delighted to be able to play a part in driving the company to even greater success.”

Cleveland Bridge UK managing director Chris Droogan commented: “Patrick has many years’ experience working in the steel fabrication industry – both in technical design and sales.

“His knowledge and expertise will play an important role in not only strengthening our relationship with key UK customers, but in also growing our market share.”

Garry Smith, Fusion PR Creative

Northumberland-based Fusion PR Creative has hired a new PR consultant.

Garry Smith has more than 18 years’ experience in PR for both the public and private sectors.

In the last six, he has focused on providing communications support for three North East local authority press offices and two of the region’s emergency services branches.

Fusion MD John McCabe said: “The past year has seen Fusion grow to new heights by adding new clients and winning awards from our business peers.

“This has allowed us to expand our dedicated team and welcoming Garry means that his public and private sector knowledge will prove a wonderful asset for Fusion.”

He added: “His enthusiasm, creativity and eye for a good story will ensure Fusion will continue to grab the headlines for our clients.”

Julie Cairns and Nicola Chapman, Howarth Litchfield

Architectural practice Howarth Litchfield has welcomed two new arrivals to its team.

Interior designer Julie Cairns joined the company as an associate alongside Nicola Chapman, appointed for the newly created role of business manager.

Julie has 25 years’ experience on projects across the UK and overseas, for brands including office provider Regus and hotel operator Holiday Inn.

Nicola gained her business development coordination experience over a 21-year stint with a national contractor. In addition to the business manager position at Howarth Litchfield, she will also serve as the firm’s studio manager.

Nicola said: “Before taking up my new position I had heard great things about the practice and I was delighted to be given the opportunity to join a growing business, with such a great track record and reputation as Howarth Litchfield.

“I believe my extensive experience and well-rounded knowledge of many aspects within design and construction will allow me to support the business as it continues to enjoy new opportunities in the region and further afield.”

Howarth Litchfield MD Jonathan Yates commented: “I am delighted to welcome both Julie and Nicola to these recently created key positions.

“I have every confidence that their joint experience and knowledge will bring a slightly new dimension to the team adding further strength and depth to our in-house resource at a time when we are being presented with many opportunities to win work with both new and existing clients.”

Chris Armstrong and Alan Green, Circle Cloud

Circle Cloud, the Stockton-based cloud computing business, has expanded its workforce.

Newcomers at the firm are senior cloud consultant Chris Armstrong and apprentice service desk analyst Alan Green (pictured right).

Chris has experience of enterprise infrastructure management with a focus on security.

Apprentice Alan is undertaking a one-year programme ahead of moving into a more senior, full-time role. He is learning particular Microsoft skills and knowledge through training firm Firebrand.

The appointments came on the back of two client wins.

Tomas Roberton (pictured left), co-founder of Circle Cloud, explained: “We’ve added to the success of the last 12 months with two important client wins.

“NWH is a high profile, national operator that can really benefit from our expertise and Middlesbrough College has a complex IT infrastructure with many users.”

He added: “Middlesbrough College was impressed by our work for the North East Chamber of Commerce, which is a great example of the regional support out there.”

Four appointments, Encore Packaging Solutions

Print and packaging company Encore Packaging Solutions has appointed four new staff

Chris Reilly, who has worked for another packaging business for 22 years, is Encore’s new technical design and studio manager.

He said: “It’s exciting to join Encore and head up the team. The company has a great reputation and it’s an honour to be here and be a part of its future success.”

The other appointees are Daniel Moloney, the firm’s pre-press and CAD operator; Alison Betts, an internal sales account manager; and Gosia Grochowina, who works in client services.

Encore Group’s external sales manager, Ken Pearce, said: “Adding these experienced people to our team will allow us to grow the business through speed of response.

“We can increase our service levels to both existing and potential new clients, which we believe is paramount to the business.”

Encore Packaging Solutions and its sister company, Encore Envelopes, operate from factories in Peterlee and Washington.

Pete Danks, Clicksco

Marketing company Clicksco Group has appointed former Google industry head Pete Danks in the North East.

Pete, previously a London-based divisional CEO for the firm and its CMO, has moved north to lead Clicksco’s UK tech base.

In his new role at Clicksco’s dynamic Middlesbrough office, he will oversee the rollout of the company’s upcoming audience management platform, Carbon, and manage a 30-plus team of digital consultants, developers and data scientists.

He said: “It’s a hugely exciting time for Clicksco, launching what is truly a world-leading platform and all of that development is coming out of our Teesside base.

“Our business benefits hugely from being in a thriving and engaged digital environment and I’m thrilled to make the move from London to be involved on the ground, and access the local talent that can help build upon Clicksco’s success.”

Ryan Errington, Joshua Tulip and Alex Taylor, Cargo Creative

Design agency Cargo Creative has announced two new additions to its team.

Ryan Errington, who has eight years’ experience in creative and digital design, joined the North Shields-based firm as a designer.

Also appointed are Joshua Tulip and Alex Taylor, who joined Cargo in the roles of digital marketing associate and copywriter respectively.

Paul Hart, director, said: “Cargo is very excited to welcome our new team members.

“Expanding our services means we’ll be able to increase our offering and add a great deal of value to our existing clients, whilst strengthening our offer to new opportunities.”

He added: “This will be underpinned by the transparent, outstanding delivery we’re known for as the agency goes from strength to strength.”