This week's North East appointments

Vicky Lowrie and Andrew Foster, Square One Law

Legal practice Square One Law has appointed commercial litigator Vicky Lowrie as a senior associate and property lawyer Andrew Foster in the role of associate.

Vicky qualified in 2008 with Ward Hadaway. Since then, she has built experience in property litigation by undertaking work for clients including commercial landlords and tenants, public sector organisations, national charities and lenders.

Andrew’s career has seen him act for commercial clients and lenders on a range of property transactions.

Managing partner Gill Hall said: “We are delighted to welcome Vicky and Andrew to the Square One Law team.

“Vicky is a well-respected litigator and her wide range of dispute resolution experience enables her to pre-empt issues in respect of property transactions and advise clients on steps they can take now to avoid issues arising in the future.”

She added: “We have is one of the most experienced property teams in the North East which is expanding under the leadership of Property Partner, Adrian Hill. Their appointments add further strength and depth.”

Simon Briton, PG Legal

Law firm PG Legal has appointed tax solicitor Simon Briton.

Bringing 20 years’ experience in tax law to the team, Simon will support the growth of PG Legal’s business clients through the use of tax incentives.

Simon’s background includes roles with a number of law and accountancy firms, including Ward Hadaway, Bird & Bird and KPMG.

Phil Dean, director at PG Legal, said: “We are really proud that Simon has joined us; with his wealth of experience in the tax sector, he is a true expert in his field.

“Simon has a great reputation as one of the leading advisors on tax law for technology and innovation-led businesses and joining our team reinforces our growth in those sectors.”

Simon commented: “I am delighted to join such a strong firm to help with its drive into new sectors.

“PG Legal stands out as a law firm that genuinely adds value to its clients through its work, and the ability to add tax advice into the mix makes this a really strong offering, unlike that of any other similar sized law firm in the region. It is that desire to improve our clients’ position that attracted me to the firm.”

David Greenwood, Diamond Group

Team Valley tech company Diamond Group has appointed David Greenwood (pictured left) as head of finance.

David boasts more than 18 years of experience in finance. He has previously worked for accountancy firms, charitable organisations and in the corporate sector, most recently at a multi-million pound engineering business.

As Diamond Group’s head of finance, he will provide strategic financial direction and advice, in addition to managing the company’s asset finance provision to ensure its remains compliant.

Diamond Group finance director Hazel Burns (pictured above right) said: “David is a great addition to our team. His background, experience and keen eye for detail will be an asset to the company during this time of growth. I’m really looking forward to working with David moving forward.”

David commented: “I’ve known John (Burns, group MD and owner), Hazel, and Diamond for over 10 years now and did not hesitate when given the opportunity to join the team.

“The company is so family-oriented and friendly, I knew I had made the right decision.”

Nigel Wilson, Gentoo Group

Sunderland housing association Gentoo Group has announced Nigel Wilson as its CEO.

Nigel was previously chief exec of Wythenshawe Community Housing Group in Manchester and has worked in the sector for over 30 years.

Keith Loraine OBE, group chair at Gentoo, said: “The group board and I are delighted that Nigel will be joining Gentoo.

“He has a fantastic track record as a chief executive and a very credible reputation in the sector.”

He continued: “We were particularly impressed with his leadership and people development skills and his commitment to good governance and delivering excellent customer service.

“With his vast sector experience, I’m confident he will successfully lead Gentoo so we can continue to make a positive difference, and work towards our vision for the City of Sunderland.”

Steve Evans, Washington Direct Mail

Washington Direct Mail, the Gateshead-based mailing house, has a new compliance manager.

Steve Evans joined the company from US-headquartered medical devices company Convatec, where he was also compliance manager.

Managing director Lynn Beasley said: “We’re a small, agile, SME with a very strong team culture and a clear vision for the future. We are going through a period of strong investment in the business that includes new technologies and processes and recent ISO27001 certification.

“To ensure that we take advantage of the huge opportunities that exist in the market we also need to invest in the very best of people. Steve has vast experience of delivering quality and compliance strategies for international businesses and his appointment will significantly strengthen our management team.”

Steve, who has a PhD in biochemistry, commented: “I was immediately impressed by the focus the company has already placed on compliance and the attainment of ISO certifications.

“I have worked for some very big global operations and none of them have had all of these standards together. For a small SME such as Washington Direct Mail to have all four is incredible and a testament to the ambition the management team has for the business.”

L-R: Stephen Hall, Natalie Healey and Michael Cobb

Multiple promotions, Deloitte

Professional services giant Deloitte has confirmed a raft of promotions across the Yorkshire and North East regions.

Dan Renton, a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) specialist, has been elevated to partner level in the firm’s financial advisory practice.

Elsewhere in the advisory team, Andrew Croft in Newcastle and Chris Hirst and Andrew Ward, both in Leeds, have all become directors.

Other promotions include Newcastle-based Michael Cobb becoming a director in the tax practice alongside Toby Jacklin and Gavin Richens in Leeds, and Ashley Lewis and Nathan McDonald becoming directors in the firm’s Leeds-based consulting team.

Four have been promoted to director in the audit and risk advisory team: Natalie Healey (Newcastle) and Peter Balmforth, Anna Dawson and Guy Hewitt (all Leeds).

Deloitte’s office senior partner in the North East, Stephen Hall, said: “I am really pleased for everybody that has been promoted.

“This is testament to their hard work and dedication to the business over a number of years. Individually and collectively they will help ensure Deloitte continues to make a significant impact in the region.”

Kate Nicklin, Sintons

Newcastle law firm Sintons has added to its specialist neurotrauma team.

The company hired Kate Nicklin as an associate from Irwin Mitchell, where she worked for 10 years – including eight under consultant John Davis, the former managing partner of Irwin Mitchell in Newcastle who joined Sintons as a consultant in 2017.

Kate said: “I have seen the fantastic work Sintons’ neurotrauma team have been doing and without question they are now one of the market leaders in the North East.

“They have grown and developed so much and this is an exciting opportunity for me to be part of it. I loved working alongside John previously and it is brilliant to be able to do so again.”

John commented: “I have had the pleasure of working with Kate for many years and it is great news for Sintons that she has decided to join us.

“She is an excellent lawyer who is absolutely committed to her clients and to doing the best possible job for them, I have been continually impressed by how hard she fights to secure that. I’m very pleased to be working alongside Kate again and am confident her work will help to develop the Sintons’ neurotrauma team even further.”

Gary Lumby, Punch Robson

Tees Valley law firm Punch Robson has appointed North East businessman Gary Lumby MBE (pictured right) to help with its growth strategy.

Gary will support the firm’s partners in delivering its development plans, using his experience of leading a number of companies in the region, including Active Chartered Financial Planners, Cornerstone Business Solutions, Biochemica Ltd and FRP Advisory.

Gary was previously regional head of SME banking in the North East and Cumbria for Barclays, after which he moved into the dual role of UK head of business banking/UK head of retail banking for Yorkshire Bank.

He said: “I’m very excited to start working with a well-known and respected law firm like Punch Robson, which has been trading for over 140 years and is a firm that local people know they can rely on.

“I’m keen to focus on the Tees Valley and I’m already working with a number of clients in the area.”

Gary added: “The business has a great foundation and there’s lots of scope for growth. We’re going to be working on a three-year strategy and I can’t wait to see where we will take Punch Robson.”

Punch Robson managing partner Elaine McLaine-Wood (pictured left), the firm’s head of corporate and commercial property, commented: “I’ve known Gary for many years and I admired his work with other law firms outside of the Tees Valley.

“The next stage of transition for our firm will see us focus on growth and strategy and I knew Gary would be the perfect person to help us achieve our goals, as he focuses on the business as a whole.”

She continued: “We are looking forward to developing a long-term relationship with Gary and I know he is the only person who could take us where we want to be. 2019 is going to be an incredibly exciting year for Punch Robson.”

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