This week's North East appointments

Alan Scott, Hive

Hive, the employee engagement platform firm based in Newcastle, has taken on a new commercial director.

Alan Scott, who has more than 13 years’ experience in software, sales and marketing, joined Hive from email marketing platform Communicator, where he held the role of partnership development director.

Alan said: “I’m extremely proud to be joining Hive at such an exciting time. Having known John Ryder [founder and CEO of Hive] for a number of years, I’ve followed Hive’s progress with interest. I’ve been very impressed with the culture and commitment I’ve seen, and this has been reflected in the impressive national reputation they have developed within such a short space of time.”

He added: “We have a great team of people already in place and I’m excited to get started. I hope to use my experience to help further develop the business and continue to expand and retain the impressive client base.”

John Ryder commented: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Alan to the Hive team. His reputation is first class and to be able to attract someone of his calibre is a testimony to how far we have come.

“His wealth of experience will help take us to the next level, and beyond, as we embark on the next phase of growth at Hive.”

Steve Dickinson, Mobile Mini

Storage container business Mobile Mini has appointed a new finance director.

Steve Dickinson was previously head of Europe finance shared services at Wood PLC, before which he held a number of senior operational and financial roles with a large commercial vehicle rental firm.

At Mobile Mini, Steve will support the rest of the executive team, its Stockton-based HQ and staff across its network of 15 branches.

He said: “My time with the company so far has given me a great understanding of the team and what they are doing well.

“I’m now looking forward to developing a strategic plan for the finance operation, capturing key priorities and timelines based around all elements of the business – particularly focusing on our customers.”

MD Chris Morgan commented: “We’re currently experiencing a period of strong growth at Mobile Mini and we’re doing all we can to invest in our branches, team and industry-leading fleet, whilst striving to maintain our reputation for exceeding our customers’ expectations.

“Steve brings with him a wealth of highly relevant financial and operational experience. His appointment is part of a wider strategy to ensure we have a strong, knowledgeable and efficient team to facilitate our continued growth.”

Jonathan Cousins, Hay & Kilner

Newcastle-headquartered law firm Hay & Kilner has strengthened its criminal litigation team with the appointment of solicitor Jonathan Cousins.

Jonathan has 15 years’ experience gained across a range of practice areas in the North East.

He studied for his law degree at the University of Sussex, gained a Masters at Nottingham and completed his legal qualifications at London’s College of Law, going on to qualify as a duty solicitor in 2007 and higher court advocate in 2010.

Jonathan said: “I’d come across solicitors from Hay & Kilner at various points in my career and was always impressed with the pride they took in the work they did for their clients, an ethos that matches my own, and joining the firm provides me with a great opportunity to progress my career.”

Hay & Kilner’s head of criminal litigation, partner Mark Harrison, commented: “Criminal litigation has long been one of the firm’s strongest subject areas and we are continuing to invest in the team to ensure we keep providing the best possible service to our clients.

“Jonathan is a highly regarded legal practitioner and brings with him a huge amount of practical experience and knowledge.”

Gareth Evans, intu

Shopping centre developer and operator intu has appointed Gareth Evans as its national sustainable travel and transport manager.

Gareth grew up in south west London and moved to the North East in 2000 to study Surveying and Mapping Science at Newcastle University.

He went on to gain a Masters and PhD, and eventually joined the team at intu Metrocentre, where worked initially as a strategic travel co-ordinator. Since 2016 he has served as the company’s sustainable travel manager for the Midlands and North regions.

Gareth said: “In my new role I’m looking forward to working with all 14 centres across the group, aiming to understand the different transport challenges they’re facing and sharing best practice between locations to ensure all of our centres continue to thrive.”

Paul Lancaster, intu’s central operations director, commented: “intu is a people business guided by our culture and values, and having staff who not only understand but embrace this is vital to our continued success.

“Since joining us in 2014 Gareth has proven himself to be an invaluable member of the team at intu, taking on a host of exciting projects and helping to ensure that our centres reflect intu’s core environmental and sustainability beliefs.”

Seven appointments, TLW Solicitors

TLW Solicitors has recruited five new starters and promoted two of its employees.

The law firm, based in North Shields, hired Helen Walker as a fee earner in its personal injury team; and Sophie Hardy, Ryan Butler, Jade Doran and Shannon Watson as paralegals in its first response unit.

Paralegal Matthew Jefferson, meanwhile, has been promoted to trainee solicitor and former civil litigation fee earner Wayne Christie to operations manager, a newly created position.

Partner John Burn said of the hires: “It is so rewarding to share TLW’s success by recruiting and promoting this many staff.

“Our focus now is to maintain this upward trajectory, aligning our growth ambitions with quality hires and ensuring that our well recognised client service standards never slip.”

Danny Parker, Jesmond Dene House Hotel

Jesmond Dene House Hotel has hired chef Danny Parker to lead its kitchen.

Danny’s career started when he took a job as a kitchen porter at a pub in his home village, near Stockton.

Most recently he was head chef at Michelin-star restaurant House of Tides in Newcastle, where he took part in the BBC’s Masterchef: The Professionals and two series of Great British Menu.

Joining Danny as head pastry chef at Jesmond Dene House Hotel is Cal Byerley, from Michelin-starred Forest Side in Grasmere.

Danny said: “I wanted a place with a challenge, with a strong sense of identity, and where I could put my own spin on things.

“And where I would be working with a team who care that guests have a genuinely great experience.”

Peter Candler, the hotel’s managing director, commented: “Apart from his obvious talents, I liked Danny’s approach – putting the guest experience first and ensuring we offer consistently good, unfussy food.

“Danny is also a great believer in encouraging younger chefs which is key to a successful kitchen team.”

James Cullen, Victoria Huntley and Rhys Jones, George F. White

Chartered surveyors and property consultancy firm George F. White has welcomed three new recruits to its Newcastle office.

James Cullen joined the company as associate and will lead its building surveying team. He previously worked for Building Surveyors Ltd.

Also appointed are Victoria Huntley and Rhys Jones, both as graduate surveyors, to expand the firm’s commercial and planning and development capability.

Victoria will focus on commercial valuations, landlord and tenant and property management work, while Rhys will primarily assist with valuations of development property.

George F. White’s head of Tyne and Wear, Richard Garland, said: “Since opening our Tyne and Wear offices last year, we have seen a great take up of our services, including the commercial property offering and we have attracted a whole new client type.

“The ongoing evolution of the firm continues, and I am delighted to now be able to provide a building surveying offering alongside strengthening our commercial property and planning and development teams.”

He continued: “All three have shown fantastic energy and passion for what they do and a dedication to quality and client service which is at the core of everything that we stand for and are about.”

Daniel Gavin, Activ Technology

Activ Technology has appointed Daniel Gavin in the role of business development manager.

Daniel joined the Newcastle-based company from interactive panels specialist Promethean, where he handled training and consultancy sessions for teachers.

Activ Technology MD Ian Gillespie said: “We are very ambitious and continue to grow. We have, over the last five years, developed our offering away from mobile and offer clients an integrated service that can include managed IT and telecommunication services plus a range of additional utilities.

“The introduction of the Promethean panels and onsite training is another solution that helps take time, pressure and costs away from the customer.”

He continued: “We are growing our team and wish to attract high quality people who want to develop with us and can enhance our client offering.

“We have colleagues who have been with us for nearly 20 years who can pass on their skills and knowledge to young members of the team at the beginning of their career journey.”