This week's North East appointments

Lee Kirk, Metnor Construction Ltd

Metnor Construction Ltd has announced the appointment of Lee Kirk as senior operations manager, following the retirement of operations director, Jim Baldwin.

Jim had been with the company since it was established in 2002. He began as contract manager and progressed through to operations director.

Metnor Construction Ltd, is one of four divisions within the Metnor Group and in 2017 it recorded sales of £70m.

Lee, who has been with the company for nearly five years and steps up from his previous role as operations manager, said: “This personal recognition for myself is very much down to the guidance and knowledge I have gained from Jim, which has been invaluable.

“It is the culture of identifying new talent and nurturing it alongside high calibre, experienced managers, that is proving so successful for Metnor Construction.

“We have excellent progression paths and, in turn, I have embraced the opportunity to mentor younger members of our team.”

Over the last 18 months, Jim and Lee have streamlined the operational team’s procedures and processes, as part of a continual improvement plan to enable colleagues to be more forward thinking and for teams to progress together.

Jack Wiffen and Jack Armstrong, Wynyard Park

Wynyard Park has welcomed two new young green-fingered recruits.

In partnership with East Durham College, the luxury housing development in the Tees Valley has taken on the apprentices to support the grounds and maintenance team, looking after the landscaping and gardens of the Park and ensuring the site is continually kept to a high standard for residents to enjoy.

Craig Pinder, development manager at Wynyard Park, said: “These are the first apprentices Wynyard Park has taken on, and so far I’ve been really impressed with their progress.

“There are very few housing developments of this scale in the region, and for apprentices who have a genuine interest in horticulture, working on Wynyard Park will provide them with plenty of exciting opportunities to learn and grow.

“Wynyard Park executive housing is set to grow quite substantially over the next five to ten years and it is important to us that we give opportunities to the young people in our region to join the team and be a part of this vision.”

Jack Wiffen, 16, and Jack Armstrong, 22, started with Wynyard Park in mid-June, settling into life at work before they start their college course in September. Both are studying for a RHS Level 2 in Practical Horticulture.

The Park is also considering taking on further apprentices in a range of areas including bricklaying and joinery.

Sir David Bell, University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland has announced that Sir David Bell KCB will join the university as vice-chancellor and chief executive on September 24.

Sir David Bell KCB has been appointed as the next vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Sunderland and will take up his new post next month.

Sir David will join the university from the University of Reading where he has been vice-chancellor since January 2012.

He said: “I am both thrilled and honoured to be joining the university at such an exciting time in its development.

“I have always had the greatest respect for the university’s inclusive ethos and how it delivers opportunities and personalised support for students from all walks of life.”

Jonathan McCutcheon, BW Medical Accountants

Specialist medical accountancy firm, BW Medical Accountants has expanded its service provision by appointing experienced primary healthcare professional Jonathan McCutcheon as a practice management consultant.

The move comes in response to the rise in the demands placed on GP practices and will allow the Gosforth Business Park-based firm to supplement its financial expertise in the sector with some of the wider issues in primary care now faced by practice managers, GPs and other GP practice staff in running their practices.

The specialist firm has shown strong growth since its inception in July 2013 when it was launched by Blackett Walker wealth management founders Kevin Walker and Richard Blackett with medical finance and business accountant Keith Taylor at the helm.

Keith Taylor, FCA director of medical services at BW Medical, said: “I have worked with Jonathan on numerous occasions and know that the GP practices he has been involved with have always had their financial position and operating efficiency improved through his expert approach.

“I am convinced that not only will our existing GP practice and healthcare clients benefit from Jonathan’s informed consultancy work, but our highly trained specialist staff will also benefit from his understanding of primary care; hard won insight of how GP practices operate in the modern ever-changing healthcare economy.

“It’s an exciting time for our business and Jonathan’s role will provide a key area of growth supporting our existing clients and generating new ones. Because of our medical focus and specialist services we anticipate increasing national demand for our expertise.”

Charles Penn, Perspective (North East)

Chartered financial planners, Perspective (North East) has appointed Charles Penn as its head of marketing and business development.

Perspective (North East), the new name for Rutherford Wilkinson, have been trusted advisors to countless individuals and businesses in the region for over three decades.

Charles was previously head of marketing at Sintons for 10 years, during which time the firm more than doubled in size, and became regarded as one of the leading law firms in the North East.

During a 30-year career, Charles has held senior marketing positions in the UK and abroad with Deloitte Management Consultants and Procter & Gamble.

Trevor Clark, director of Perspective (North East), said: “We’re delighted to have Charles’ vast experience in our team.

“His drive and knowledge of the North East is already proving valuable as we embark on further substantial growth. We are already expanding our adviser team.”