This week's North East appointments

Chris Clement, H&H Insurance Brokers

Rural insurance broker H&H Insurance Brokers has appointed Chris Clement as commercial director.

With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Chris started his career as a junior in an insurance broker in Darlington. Latterly, he was account executive for McClarrons Ltd, an independent insurance broker in Yorkshire and prior to this, worked in a range of roles for Swinton and NFU Mutual.

Chris commented: “I am thrilled to be taking up this exciting opportunity to work for such a progressive insurance brokerage.

“I have known H&H Insurance Brokers for a number of years, it is a dynamic organisation with a strong brand and is well respected within the industry and is also known for having excellent relationships with its clients.”

Paul Graham, managing director for H&H Insurance Brokers, added: “I’m delighted that Chris has agreed to join the team as commercial director, his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for the area and the industry, will be an asset to our growing team and portfolio.

“It is a key role for our company, which will continue to strengthen our presence and further expand our services.”

“In making this appointment, H&H Insurance Brokers is demonstrating its continued commitment to growth and strengthening its vision to be ‘the insurance broker for rural and agricultural businesses’.”

Damien Murphy, Parsons Containers Group

Shipping container business Parsons Containers Group has appointed Damien Murphy as managing director.

A trained engineer, Damien has spent much of his career in the North East working in the offshore industry. Damien studied at Cranfield University on its Business Growth Programme and later gained an MBA from Durham University.

Commenting on Damien’s appointment, founder Ean Parsons said: “I am delighted to have secured a managing director of the calibre of Damien to lead the business during the next stage of growth.

“The knowledge and experience he brings will add considerable strength to the group.”

Damien added: “When I met Ean and his team, I was immediately impressed by the strong entrepreneurial culture within the Parsons Containers Group.

“Combine that with the diversity within the business’s own divisions and the markets that they serve, and it’s clear to me that we have a huge opportunity for growth here.

“I look forward to building on the firm’s recent achievements, to deliver even greater success in the years ahead.”

Sir David Bell, Karbon Homes

Housing association Karbon Homes has appointed Sir David Bell KCB as its new chair.

Vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Sunderland, Sir David brings over 37 years of experience to the role.

Between 2012 and 2018, Sir David was vice-chancellor at the University of Reading. Previously, he was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education for six years, serving four Secretaries of State and three Prime Ministers. He also served as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools for nearly four years.

Speaking of his appointment, Sir David said: “Karbon’s mission to provide a strong foundation for life is what I have sought to do in my work across the education sector.

“My experience in local and national government has shown me the powerful impact that housing and regeneration can have on communities. The strategic objectives that Karbon Homes has set itself – to provide as many high-quality homes as possible, to deliver excellent customer service and to build strong communities – all resonate with me.

“Therefore, I am looking forward to adding my support to achieving these objectives, for the benefit of residents and communities in our region.”

Paul Fiddaman, group chief executive at Karbon Homes, added: “This is a brilliant appointment for Karbon. Sir David has a fantastic reputation and breadth of knowledge and experience.

“I’m looking forward to working with him on our ambitious Strong Foundations Strategy which includes the delivery of 500 high quality new homes every year and a commitment to invest £180m into our existing homes over the next 10 years.”

Mark Widdows, North P&I Club

Shipping and marine insurer North P&I Club has appointed Mark Widdows as head of IT infrastructure and operations.

Mark originally joined North in 2001 and brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, managing IT operations across the business at an international level.

Mark commented: “I’m looking forward to working closely with our CIO in supporting the continued development of our strategic vision and road map, ensuring that North’s information technology capabilities continually support our overall business goals.

“Our objective is to be the club of choice for the global shipping and maritime industry, and our strategic growth plan will help to propel us towards this goal.”

CIO James Holmes added: “Our growing IT team is committed to supporting strategic growth, both within our Newcastle headquarters and globally.

“Mark’s promotion comes at a crucial time for the business, having recently surpassed our total entered tonnage to over 230 million gross tonnes, further strengthening our position as a leading member of the International Group of P&I Clubs.”

Kathryn Boyd, Muckle LLP

Muckle LLP has appointed Kathryn Boyd to its agriculture, estates and rural property team.

A newly qualified solicitor, Kathryn studied at the University of Law in Leeds, before completing her training at a Darlington-based legal firm, where she gained experience within the commercial and agricultural property team and acted for developers, farmers and trust clients.

Kathryn commented: “My love of the outdoors was what drew me to agricultural law and I am very excited to be joining the team at Muckle LLP, famous for its ‘muddy boots’ approach.

“I was drawn to the very friendly and progressive nature of the firm and I’m looking forward to working within a relatively new but rapidly expanding team.

“I will be working with David Towns and other senior specialists to help develop and grow the team further, and I’m looking forward to be working on the property side and gaining more knowledge and experience within private client work.

“I’m also keen to participate in the company’s social and sporting events, as well as getting involved with the charitable work as this is something that I am passionate about.”

David Towns, partner and head of the agriculture, estates and rural property team, added: “As a newly qualified solicitor in agriculture law, we’re delighted to welcome Kathryn to our team. Her appointment will add greater depth to the team, enabling us to serve more clients, offer increased efficiency and value for money.

“I am sure Kathryn’s knowledge, skills and enthusiasm will be greatly valued by fellow colleagues and clients alike.”

Richard Haigh, Franks Portlock

Asbestos and environmental management consultancy Franks Portlock has appointed Richard Haigh as operations manager.

Richard has more than 15 years’ experience within the asbestos consultancy industry.

Richard’s most recent position was within operations management, in which his focus was on developing client relationships to achieve and understand their individual requirements.

Commenting on his appointment, Richard said: “Franks Portlock is renowned for its commitment to quality and its focus on the service and close relationships it provides its clients, an ethos that I share. I am therefore delighted to join the Franks Portlock team.

“The past twelve months has been a year of continued growth for Franks Portlock and the company has clear ambitions for future expansion and advancement to meet the ever-changing requirements of the asbestos and water hygiene industries.

“I am looking forward to utilising my industry experience and working together with my colleagues to achieve these defined targets.”

Phil Franks, technical director at Franks Portlock, added: “Richard boasts a breadth of industry knowledge and operations management expertise which I am confident will prove invaluable in the delivery and implementation of our growth strategy - it is my pleasure to welcome him to Franks Portlock.”

Teresa Kingston, Rockliffe Hall

Golf and spa resort Rockliffe Hall has appointed Teresa Kingston as commercial director.

Teresa will join the hotel to oversee the sales, marketing and events teams and deliver a new commercial plan for the resort alongside Rockliffe Hall’s managing director.

With 18 years of industry experience, Teresa began her career working in events at Middlesbrough Football Club.

Teresa went on to work in sales at Redworth Hall before becoming area director of sales for The Hotel Collection and then head of association sales for the same group. Most recently she was director of sales and marketing at The Principal York Hotel.

Jason Adams, Rockliffe Hall’s managing director, commented: “This is a key appointment for Rockliffe Hall and I’m delighted to welcome Teresa to the Executive team.

“Her experience in the hospitality industry is impressive and she has a great track record in developing and delivering effective strategies to drive revenue.

“She will further enhance the exceptional work the sales, marketing and events teams already do here, and look for more opportunities to help maintain Rockliffe Hall as one of the leading hotel, golf and spa resorts in the country.”

Teresa added: “I am excited to be taking on this new role at such a prestigious resort as Rockliffe Hall.

“Being from the North East, I have closely followed the hotel’s success over the last decade and am thrilled that I’m now going to be part of the fantastic team there.”