This week's North East appointments

Kerry Neesam, Wonderstuff

Brand and design agency Wonderstuff has appointed Kerry Neesam as design director.

Kerry graduated from Teesside University with a first class honours degree in graphic design in 2013. She worked in various agencies in the North East before moving to London to join an agency working with global brands, where she was promoted to senior designer.

Kerry then became a lecturer at international private graphic design college Shillington Education, and continued her own practice working with smaller brands and start-ups.

Kerry commented: “Whilst I found working with students very rewarding I really missed designing full-time. I also wanted to return to my home region.

“At Wonderstuff I’m able to work closely with business owners to understand exactly what they need from the design to help them achieve their goals.”

Paul Alderson, founder of Wonderstuff, added: “Kerry has great design and business experience.

“We are delighted to welcome her to our team delivering successful creative solutions for our clients.”

Dean Stoyanov, PwC

Professional services giant PwC has appointed Dean Stoyanov to its North East deals team.

Dean is a qualified chartered accountant with over seven years of deals experience as both an adviser and a banker, having previously worked in the leveraged finance team at HSBC across Yorkshire and North East.

Dean has experience in working with businesses across the spectrum from private equity backed to owner managed SMEs, as well as, through various stages of their life cycles.

Jonathan Greenaway, the Newcastle office senior partner, commented: “Dean’s appointment highlights our ongoing commitment to not only invest in and grow our deals capability across the North East but also to bring in additional expertise to enhance our existing offerings to better serve our clients.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dean added: “I am delighted to be joining the Newcastle Deals team and I am looking forward to working with the wider deals community across the North East.

“The North East region has always been a very buoyant market with plenty of activity and across the team we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to be able to deliver the right advice to our clients.”

Sam Streckert, Alexandra Gent and Dave Hawkins, FW Capital

FW Capital has appointed Sam Streckert and Alexandra Gent as investment executives and Dave Hawkins as portfolio executive.

Sam has over 20 years banking experience, the last 14 years of which has been at Santander within the corporate and commercial banking teams.

Sam commented: “I am delighted to have joined the FW Capital team to provide NPIF funding. It’s an exciting time to be part of a growing team and to see the positive impact our investments have made.

“I look forward to working with SMEs in the NPIF region and helping them to achieve their growth ambitions.”

Chartered accountant Alexandra has worked across a range of sectors including manufacturing, consumer business, energy and healthcare.

Alexandra said: “The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund is a fantastic force multiplier for businesses across the region, helping local small and medium-sized companies to thrive. I am excited to be a part of that process within the FW Capital team.

“The approach FW Capital take to investing fosters a collaborative environment and I look forward to leveraging my previous experience to understand the objectives of companies in the region as they achieve their goals.”

A chartered accountant and chartered banker with 28 years of experience in a range of business roles, Dave will provide support and guidance to NPIF invested businesses.

Dave Hawkins added: “A key strength of the FW Capital team is its commitment to building long-term, meaningful relationships with its customers to ensure their growth. It’s great to be part of the team at this exciting time of expansion.”

Joanne Whitfield, FW Capital fund director for Tees Valley, commented on the new hires: “It is with great delight we welcome our new team members.

“Our team in Billingham is now 10-strong, demonstrating our commitment to championing NPIF and the many local businesses the fund supports.”

Pat Mellish and Andrew Steel, Punch Robson

Law firm Punch Robson has promoted Pat Mellish and Andrew Steel to partner.

Pat - who joined Punch Robson in 2017 as associate solicitor and head of the wills, probate and trust department - has more than 35 years of experience working in law.

Commenting on her appointment, Pat said: “I was very flattered to be promoted to partner - it was totally unexpected.

“Initially I’ll be continuing with the work within the private client department, expanding our client base, maintaining our standards and developing staff from within. Moving forward, I’m also looking forward to developing the business and promoting it, working with the existing partners to achieve this.

“I’m really excited about the direction the firm is moving in; there is a wealth of legal knowledge and experience within the firm which is a sound basis for continued growth and prosperity.”

Having worked as a solicitor in the Tees Valley for more than a decade, Andrew joined the firm last year. He commented: “Having relatively recently joined the firm, it is fantastic to be part of a dynamic team, where there is a real sense of recognition and reward for staff at all levels.

“Client care is at the base of what we do here at Punch Robson and, while we are expanding, that level of client care will not fall by the wayside as a result. I am very excited about the future of Punch Robson; we have some great lawyers and I can only see this as a springboard to the successful and prosperous future of the firm.”

Managing partner Elaine McLaine-Wood added: “Our private client department has always been a large part of the firm, complementing the work of other divisions, and we want to continue its success.

“It was time for the department to be recognised and I’m delighted to reward Pat and Andrew for their hard work. They both bring incredible strengths to the table, and I’m really excited about the future.”

Paul Lilley, Green Energy Advice Bureau

Energy consultancy Green Energy Advice Bureau has appointed Paul Lilley as group finance director.

Formerly finance director at The Noble Organization, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and served on the board of brands such as Burger & Lobster, Pink Boutique and Drake & Morgan.

Paul has lived and worked in Israel, Texas and California during his time with $13B Fortune 100 company Applied Materials, before spending the last 20 years’ in the hospitality and leisure industry.

Commenting on the appointment, Green Energy Advice Bureau founder and CEO, Paul Cobb said: “I am delighted that Paul Lilley will be joining us as group finance director.

“Paul’s incredibly strong knowledge and experience will be vital as we continue our ambitious plans to grow and develop the business internally. As our business continues to grow, we will be investing in current and new employees to reflect our ambitious plans.”

Paul added: “I am really excited to be joining such a dynamic team in a period of growth and innovation.

“With my broad knowledge of accelerating young businesses and helping them develop financially, I am looking forward to building a sustainable finance department in a fast-paced, expanding environment.”