This week's North East appointments

Jenni King, Resolution Communications

Resolution Communications, a strategic PR and marketing agency based in Stockton has appointed a senior designer to complement the firm’s services.

Jenni King joins the team with over 10 years of experience. Having previously worked at creative and digital agencies within the region, Jenni has a wide range of skills to further expand the firm’s offering.

Based in Gloucester House, Stockton, Resolution works with businesses from across the Tees Valley, Yorkshire and further afield, offering strategic PR and marketing solutions.

Managing director, Sharon Starkey, said: “I started the company in 2014 with a clear objective to provide services that organisations need, and not what is offered.

“I had no idea where it would take us but we have been extremely lucky to work on some amazing campaigns and achieve real results.

“Our success has been in our relationships with our clients, establishing a strategy from day one and working towards structured outcomes.

“Jenni will be a real asset to our offer, her creative mind and commercial awareness suits our service completely. It’s exciting to have her on the team and our clients are already seeing the results of her work.”

Nathan Embleton, Kevin Ryan, James Rees, Navid Moalemi, Silvia Anghel, Blu Sky

Blu Sky has appointed six new team members to its cohort this year.

Nathan Embleton, finance controller, joined Blu Sky after a successful time at Deliotte as a field manager.

Four new lead accountants in the form of Kevin Ryan, James Rees, Navid Moalemi and Silvia Anghel form the majority of the new recruits this year.

Ying Guo, support accountant, has most recently joined the firm after performing a legal researcher role at Acritas and volunteering as a finance assistant within Oxfam.

The additions to the team allow Blu Sky to cater for more clients but more importantly, providing more personal and value-added services to existing clients on areas such as investment readiness.

Dave Gibson, Co-founder, stated: “It’s been a phenomenal year for the team in terms of growth and promotions, all entirely deserved.”

Deni Chambers and Suzanne Slater, Gateshead College

Gateshead College has strengthened its senior management team with two assistant principals.

Deni Chambers will lead a number of curriculum areas including digital tech, while Suzanne Slater will be the strategic lead for the delivery of apprenticeship programmes.

In their new roles, they will build on the college’s long track record of providing the highest quality training which gives students the skills, confidence and business acumen needed for a successful career.

Suzanne said: “It’s great to be working at an organisation that puts employability at the centre of everything it does - an ethos I really buy into.

“At Gateshead College, students get the chance to gain valuable skills and relevant work experience throughout their course which will really benefit them and their employer when it comes to getting a job.

“I’m also looking forward to working with employers to support their workforce development programmes and making sure we continue to build and develop an offer and service which meets their needs.”

James Ealey, Precept

A senior marketing professional who has worked for some of the most recognisable organisations has taken a senior role at brand performance business, Precept.

He has joined leading brand experts Precept as director and a member of the senior executive team where he will be working closely with founder, Nick Johnson, and the team to support the company’s growth strategy, including a recruitment programme.

Nick Johnson, founder of Precept, said: “We are thrilled to have James join the team, I’ve come to know James over the last few years and was always impressed with his knowledge, enthusiasm and integrity when doing business.

“To have him join the Precept team is a real coup for us and puts down a marker of intent of our ambition as we expand our brand performance business within our offices in both Newcastle and London.”

Gary Lumby, BTS Facades & Fabrications

Acclaimed local businessman, Gary Lumby has been appointed as non-executive director by Newton Aycliffe firm BTS Facades & Fabrications, to assist the company in achieving its growth plans.

The firm, which has worked on projects including Tottenham Hotspurs’ new stadium, the Jaguar Land Rover Gaydon site, and student accommodation in Wembley and Coventry, met Gary at its recent open day, believing his skills could offer considerable benefits.

Gary works with 22 other clients across the North East and Yorkshire. His role at BTS will encompass coaching, strategic planning, and advice and he is joining the firm to help oversee plans to automate its production process and sustain growth.

He said: “BTS is a fabulous company that is growing fast already and is investing heavily in automation and people.

“The development of its rainwater screening and facade business is fuelling that growth and I am excited to be working with the company to accelerate it even further.”

Nigel Freeman, TT Electronics Hartlepool

TT Electronics Hartlepool has appointed Nigel Freeman as site director, with responsibility for all aspects of leadership, production and internal logistics.

Previously manufacturing director, He takes up the role on January 1.

Trading as Stadium Group until acquired by TT Electronics plc in April 2018, the site employs 130 staff.

Prior to joining TT Electronics, Nigel was manufacturing director at Thorn Lighting, Spennymoor and operations director at its Swedish plant.

Nigel will drive the ongoing development and growth of IoT solutions, manufacturing solutions and new product introduction. He is said to already be leading improvement activities at the Hartlepool site and is particularly focused on employee engagement.

He said: “I am passionate about the people aspect of business and the importance of building a strong, supportive, team culture.

“When all colleagues are engaged and understand where a business is headed, how it plans to get there and the vital role they play in making it happen, you then have every chance to be successful.

“In terms of our internal culture, we must aim to bring out the best in each other.

“We need to actively support each other to work safely, develop expertise and be successful. We need to celebrate each other’s success.”