This week's North East appointments

Nick Johnson, Ryecroft Glenton

Ryecroft Glenton (RG) has appointed Nick Johnson as corporate finance partner.

Nick has 25 years’ experience advising on management buyouts, disposals, acquisitions and fundraising, as well as providing strategic support to owner-managed businesses, PLCs and private equity firms.

He previously worked at professional services business Mazars as senior corporate finance partner and head of clients, markets and strategy for the company’s UK M&A arm.

Nick said: “My skills are complementary to RG’s future ambitions and I feel I can add to its considerable expertise by drawing on my experience across a range of sectors.

“Together, I am very confident and excited that we will continue to grow the already tremendously successful corporate finance business and make a big contribution to the rest of the firm.”

Carl Swansbury, founder and head of RG Corporate Finance, commented: “Nick is an incredibly experienced corporate financier and brings an added breadth and quality of knowledge to the firm and our clients.

“His considerable skills will not only supplement those of our current team, but his undoubted ability will play an important part in our future growth plans for RG Corporate Finance, along with the wider firm. I am delighted to welcome Nick to the team.”

Denise McGuire, Westray Recruitment Consultants

Westray Recruitment Consultants has announced the appointment of Denise McGuire in its industrial department.

Denise, who boasts more than 20 years’ experience in recruitment, joined Westray as an industrial contracts manager during a period of growth for the business.

She previously worked for Westray 15 years ago, but returns now with a new set of skills and market knowledge.

Denise said: “I’m thrilled to return Westray, and I am really looking forward to building upon the incredible work already done in the industrial division.

“Westray are an institution within the industrial recruitment sector, so this is a fantastic opportunity for me to grow and develop the department.”

Maureen Wright, managing director of Westray Recruitment Consultants, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Denise back into the business.

“She brings a wealth of experience to the role, which will allow us to continue to build on our reputation for providing a robust and effective recruitment solution, as well as exploit new markets.”

Four appointments, Simpson Group

Washington-based point-of-sale printer company Simpson Group has added four new members to its team.

Kevin Wills (pictured right) joined the company as finance director, having originally trained as a chartered accountant with Newcastle’s BDO Binder Hamlyn.

Dale Havens (left) and Nigel Lawton are Simpson Group’s new business developers. They will work to grow and develop relationships with existing and new accounts.

Adam McNall has re-joined the firm on a new apprenticeship scheme as a trainee regulatory compliance officer, having spent a year with London North East Railway.

Simpson Group commercial director Mark Jerrard said: “We are really pleased to welcome Kevin, Dale and Nigel to the team along with their existing knowledge and experience in the print industry.

“It’s also great to see Adam return to Simpson Group on a new apprenticeship scheme, which will ultimately result in him gaining a formal qualification.”

He continued: “We’ve had a strong year this year and have our sights set on further growth for 2019. The expansion of the business development team and Kevin’s role as finance director will ensure that we are in the best possible position to meet those goals.”

Donna Walker and John Green, Work Discovery Sunderland

A educational programme set up to improve the employability of young people in Wearside is returning next year with two new chairs.

Work Discovery Sunderland appointed John Green, retail liaison manager at the Bridges, and Donna Walker, headteacher of The Link School, Pallion and Tudor Grove, as co-chairs.

John and Donna will head up the Business Schools Task Group, which runs the programme.

John said: “Work Discovery Sunderland works hard to give young people as much help as possible as they try to negotiate moving into the world of work.

“I’ve had a great deal of involvement in recent years with events such as the retail sector days and I am very much looking forward to playing a bigger part in and helping to encourage the next generation of employees as they make what will be one of the biggest decisions of their lives.”

He added: “Bringing schools, students and businesses together is so important as we look to enthuse, motivate and train the workforce of the future.”

Donna commented: “I am always fully supportive of anything which works to make life easier for young people entering the world of work and I have been a supporter of Work Discovery Sunderland for several years.

“Anything that works to support for young people at this time in their lives is to be commended, and I am very pleased and excited to now be involved and hope I can help make a difference.”

Elliott Lindsay and Trevor English, Reprotec UK

Reprotec UK, a specialist in resin flooring systems and bespoke surface protection technology, has made two appointments.

Elliott Lindsay has worked with the North East-based firm since he was 16. He is now the firm’s head of operations.

During his time with Reprotec, Elliott has progressed from NVQ Level 2 in specialist floor laying to NVQ Level 6 in leadership and management.

Joining him is Trevor English, Reprotec’s new business development manager. He has 17 years of experience in sales and marketing.

Reprotec UK MD John Holmes said: “We are delighted by both appointments. We welcome Trevor to Reprotec and congratulate Elliott on his promotion; I look forward to working more closely with both.

“This is an exciting time for the business. Reprotec Group has had one of the best years of trading, while at the same time, setting up our new online retail business, RM Suppliers, selling repair and maintenance products on a commercial scale and to the public.”

Ashleigh Tate, Paul Tighe and Lauren McKenna, Pro-Ad

Morpeth-based Pro-Ad has welcomed three new members to its promotional merchandising team.

Ashleigh Tate and Paul Tighe joined the company’s solutions team as account manager and account executive respectively, while Lauren McKenna (pictured) joined the productions team as a sales production administrator.

Pro-Ad director Loren Nardini said: “Following our success at the Institute of Professional Marketing (IPM) awards over the last few years we want to keep building our excellent reputation for quality, creativity and customer service.

“Ashleigh, Paul and Lauren bring a diverse range of skills and experiences that will help us do this. We are delighted to welcome them to the Pro-Ad family.”

Commenting on his new role, Paul said: “I am very excited to be a part of the Pro-Ad team.

“Every day is different in the office and clients are always challenging us to come up with the perfect products for their marketing campaigns. It’s a very friendly industry and the team at Pro-Ad is fantastic.”