This week's North East appointments

Helen Cunningham, Mincoffs Solicitors

Newcastle based Mincoffs Solicitors has appointed Helen Cunningham as IT manager.

With over two decades of experience in the legal IT sector, Helen joins Mincoffs Solicitors from another regional firm where she spent 15 years as an IT business analyst.

In her new role, Helen will use her experience of implementing practice management systems to develop the firm’s existing CRM system, as well as enhancing other business IT processes.

Helen commented: “I am pleased to be joining Mincoffs at such an exciting time of growth. It will be very satisfying to be able to have an impact on changes and improvements to the current systems as well as help to introduce new technology”

Mincoffs Solicitors chief executive Andy Woodhouse added: “Helen joins us at a very important stage in our growth.

“Her experience in the legal IT sector is impressive and she will be a huge asset to the firm. Helen will help us to further develop our systems and continue to improve our client offering.”

Jason Smith, Eddisons

Property consultancy Eddisons has appointed Jason Smith as director at its Newcastle office.

Jason will head Eddisons’ North East valuations business, managing assignments for loan security, transactional, legal and accounting purposes.

With 20 years of experience in commercial property valuation, Jason joins Eddisons from a role as director for specialist property adviser Christie & Co, working with the hospitality, leisure, healthcare, medical and retail property sectors.

Anthony Spencer, national head of valuations at Eddisons, commented: “Jason brings in-depth knowledge of the North East market and his valuations expertise, especially in hospitality, healthcare and retail, will enable us to offer an even more impressive service to clients in sectors where Eddisons is already seeing increased demand.”

“Our Newcastle office is going from strength to strength and this new appointment will boost our presence in the region still further.”

Alasdair Ritchie, Ascent Homes

Housebuilder Ascent Homes has appointed Alasdair Ritchie as a graduate development surveyor.

With a degree in planning and development surveying from Northumbria University, Alasdair previously gained experience with another house builder working on a range of schemes and planning applications.

Alasdair will be working on the development of planning applications as well as securing new land for future developments.

Speaking about his appointment, Alasdair said: “I am looking forward to making a positive impact through the legacy that Ascent Homes is already building in Northumberland.

I have a strong connection to the North East and I’m excited to join a company that has been created by Northumberland County Council and is one that values creating high quality homes for the community.“

Julie Hunter, Jack Oakes, Rochelle Mills and Charlotte Hudson, Perspective Financial Group

The Newcastle office of national financial planning and wealth management firm Perspective Financial Group Ltd has welcomed four new appointments to its team.

With over 30 years’ experience in the sector, Julie Hunter joins the team as a financial planning consultant from Galloway Whitfield (Life & Pensions) Ltd following its acquisition by Perspective Financial Group, and specialises in corporate clients, advising on pensions, business protection and employee benefits.

Jack Oakes joins the team as a trainee paraplanner through the firm’s training academy, after completing a degree in business systems and management with Northumbria University.

New hires Rochelle Mills and Charlotte Hudson join as administrators from the retail and telecoms sectors respectively.

Ian Wilkinson, Managing Director of Perspective Financial Group commented: “I’m delighted to welcome these new staff members. We are on a strong growth trajectory both in the region and nationally, having already made two further acquisitions this year with more to come.”