This week's North East appointments

Helder Costa, Mohima Khan and Megan Wilson, The Common Room

The Common Room has appointed three new members, Helder Costa, Mohima Khan and Megan Wilson, to its youth board.

Liz Mayes, chief executive of The Common Room, commented: “The Common Room will be a place not only for the North East engineering sector to come together but also for the next generation of innovators and engineers to be inspired.

“That’s why the members of our youth board have such an important role, working alongside the team to make sure that young people’s perspectives are fully represented in everything we do.”

Helder said:“The Common Room is about bringing communities together and through the Youth Board I hope we can empower young people to become the leaders of tomorrow.

“I’m excited to see the building take shape and to be working with the team to use the North East’s heritage to drive the region further.”

Mohima added: “The North East has a strong heritage and I’m a proud Geordie.

“Being a part of The Common Room youth board allows me to get involved in conversations about what engineering will mean for our region in the future, and to encourage other young people to be involved too.”

Megan said: “The youth board means that there is a really diverse range of people coming together to make The Common Room as successful as possible.

“The board gives a chance for young professionals and people who are early in their careers to be involved in setting the direction of the project.”

Sophie Moore, Sintons

The client team at Sintons has expanded again with the appointment of Sophie Moore as solicitor advocate.

A specialist in Court of Protection matters, Sophie supports professional deputies to manage compensation awards on behalf of individuals with life-changing injuries.

Sophie commented: “I am from the North East so it is great to move back here and join Sintons, who are an ambitious firm with a first-rate reputation and a fantastic private client department.

“The Court of Protection work at Sintons is an area of strong growth for the firm and I look forward to adding further to that.”

Paul Nickalls, head of the wills, trusts and estates team at Sintons, added: “Our elderly and vulnerable client team is growing very strongly with new instructions coming from across the UK on a regular basis, and Sophie’s arrival is very timely to help us build on our fast-growing reputation even further.

“She is a very capable lawyer in her specialist field of work and we are very pleased to welcome her to Sintons.

“This is a time of particularly strong growth and development for us, with the current circumstances meaning we are receiving huge demand, but the strength and capability we have here means we can continue to deliver the outstanding legal and personal service for which we are known to every client.

“We are very pleased Sophie will add to this even further.”

Martin Moran, durhamlane

North East-based demand & lead generation solutions agency, durhamlane has appointed Martin Moran as its chairman.

He has over 30 year’s experience of senior software sales, having worked with the likes of Capita, Oracle, Salesforce, Skype and more recently XANT (formerly InsideSales.com).

Martin commented: “I thoroughly enjoy spending time with everyone at durhamlane and am proud to be playing a bigger role in helping to guide the business through this next exciting phase of growth.”

Richard Lane, co-founder and CEO of durhamlane, said: “Martin has had a hugely positive impact since joining the durhamlane team.

“We feel it’s only right he should step up as chairman – a position from which he can add even more benefit to our continued growth strategy.”

Lee Durham, co-founder and chief revenue officer, added: “Martin’s years of industry experience have been an invaluable resource for us.

“We’re very excited to see what we can achieve together as durhamlane continues to grow into this new decade.”

Sinead Halliwell, Evolved Search

Newcastle-based search marketing agency Evolved Search has announced it has welcomed Sinead Halliwell to the senior team as its new head of people.

As part of this key role, Sinead will lead on shaping the organisation’s people strategy, talent attraction and retention initiatives and overall HR procedures within the business, to ensure the culture and values are aligned with the agency’s ambitious growth targets for the future.

Sinead commented: “I’m delighted to be taking a step into such a pivotal role at Evolved Search.

“It’s an exciting time to join the agency as their path to further success has been clearly outlined for the coming 5 years and I’m looking forward to playing my part in that growth.

“I was attracted to Evolved Search by the company’s evident commitment to its people and their general wellbeing and personal growth.

“Whilst this is a challenging period for a lot of businesses, it has been refreshing to see this positive focus on people remain at the forefront.

“We have some big projects planned that will enrich the employee experience and boost opportunities for all, and it’s been very rewarding getting stuck into these initiatives already.”

Ian McIntosh, managing director at Evolved Search, said: “Our people are our greatest asset and we want to ensure we’re attracting and retaining the best people and truly offering something to enhance their career during the time they spend at Evolved Search.

“Whilst we’ve done a good job of that so far, the time came where we needed specialist HR knowledge in-house to elevate, so I’m delighted that someone of Sinead’s calibre has joined us at this crucial time for the agency.”

Matt Boyle, North East Automotive Alliance

The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) has announced the appointment of Matt Boyle OBE as its new chairman.

Paul Butler, CEO of North East Automotive Alliance, said: “Firstly, on behalf of everyone at the NEAA I would like to say a tremendous thanks to Steve whose support and guidance has been invaluable during a highly challenging period for the automotive sector, even prior to COVID-19.

“Through his leadership the NEAA is in a much stronger position going forward.

“We wish him every success in his new role. A huge welcome to Matt, who was unanimously voted by the board as the ideal person to follow on from Steve.

“He has been an active member of the board for the last five years and previously headed up the NEAA Skills Working Group.

“Matt is former president and CEO of Sevcon, a Nasdeq listed, North East England-headquartered company which is at the forefront of global electrification.

“Sevcon grew from a $20m industrial business in 1997 to a company acquired by BorgWarner for $200m in September 2017 which was predominately automotive focused. Matt consults for German, Italian, US, Chinese and UK companies, all associated with electrification.”

Matt added: “I’d like to echo the thanks from Paul to Steve Marsh and indeed the other chairs of this great organisation over the years.

“The challenges the sector and the country face now need big ideas and great organisations to see them through.

“The NEAA is a great cluster of superb members, together we will overcome these challenges and be a stronger cluster, region and sector as a result.

“I look forward to working with Paul, the team, all the members and the board.”

Sam Hughes, Launchpad

Launchpad’s Avondale House in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne has appointed a new projects manager to organise and facilitate a range of diversionary projects and activities for North East veterans.

Sam Hughes has been appointed as assistant manager (projects) to develop, manage and encourage participation in local community and diversionary projects for the schemes’ residents.

She joins Launchpad from The Percy Hedley Foundation – a charity which supports and meets the needs of children, young people and adults with disabilities and multiple learning difficulties.

Sam commented: “I am really looking forward to working with the veterans but also Launchpad’s partners and the local community to develop and deliver a comprehensive programme of events and activities that will engage and give them the confidence and skills they need as part of their transition.

“I am really passionate about helping people and feel I have a lot to offer this role. I am a military wife of 17 years, I have seen my husband go on tours and I know what he thinks and how hard the transition from the military to civilian life can be.

“I would like to engage with all our residents and be there to support them but also pick up on the empathy and compassion some of them may be experiencing.

“I am looking forward to speaking to veteran-friendly organisations to help us deliver these activities.

“I have already spoken to a lot of the residents and they have some great ideas, my job will be to help deliver these and help them on their journey to recovery.”

Phil Thompson, manager of Avondale House, added: “Sam has a lot of experience working with people from all ages and backgrounds and I think this will help her as she delivers this role.

“The key will be to deliver a programme of diversionary projects that our residents want to engage and learn from.

“These activities and programmes will be designed to support their mental health and wellbeing, motivation and confidence, training and development and when they feel ready, employment and permanent accommodation.

“Sam is a great asset to the team and I am looking forward to working with her.”