This week's North East appointments

Andrew Creighton, Tim Michie, Elliot Taylor, Caroline Horn, George F. White

Land and property consultancy George F. White has announced a new appointment and a range of promotions.

Andrew Creighton has joined the firm as a partner. He will head up the commercial team where his immediate objective is to bolster the commercial offering of the business and drive the growth of the service within the existing client base.

Andrew joins the senior management team which includes Tim Michie and Elliot Taylor who were recently promoted to equity partners.

Tim has specialist knowledge of the rural sector, farm management and strategic business planning, and joined the consultancy from university.

Elliot advises across all areas of agricultural business management for clients in the North of England.

Caroline Horn, who works in the rural surveying team, has been promoted to an associate and will play a key role in developing George F. White’s land and property client portfolio across Yorkshire.

Robyn Peat, managing partner at George F. White, commented: “Despite these unprecedented times, it’s great to welcome Andrew into the fold and also announce the promotions of long-serving team members.

“[They] thoroughly deserve this recognition for their hard work, commitment and success in helping the consultancy to grow through both stable and difficult market conditions.”

Andrew Creighton, head of commercial and partner at George F. White, added: “It’s great to join such an energetic and experienced team. The consultancy has a fantastic reputation across the industry, and I am pleased to be on board.

“My objective is to continue the progress the business has made in the commercial sector with a specific emphasis on broadening our offering to attract more urban and city-based work.”

Rachel Burdis, Invest North East England

Invest North East England has appointed Rachel Burdis as inward investment manager.

Former Tech Sector Lead for Gateshead Council, Rachel will use her knowledge of the digital and tech sectors to encourage businesses to base themselves in the region and help create more jobs for the North East.

With experience working in the region’s digital and innovation sectors, Rachel has worked on projects including the creation of a new immersive incubation hub to support tech startup businesses, and she also set up NOVA - the official Games Network for Gateshead and the North East of England.

As head of Digital Union, Rachel helped create the One Region, One Sector, One Statement publication that is used by Invest North East England, and others, to help promote the region to potential investors.

Guy Currey, director at Invest North East England, said: “Businesses want to tap into the talent and expertise in our region, and this is why Rachel’s appointment comes at a crucial time for us.”

Rachel added: “A key part of what we’re doing right now is looking at how businesses are responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Some are less affected than others, meaning there are still significant opportunities for us to bring businesses to our region.

“Managing risk will be high on the agenda for investors, and that makes North East England a very attractive destination. With low attrition and cost base, access to a skilled labour market and high quality of life, the North East has a huge amount to offer.”

Darren Neil, The Morton Group

The Morton Group has promoted Darren Neil to finance director and member of the senior management team at Kapex Construction.

Darren Neil, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, joined Kapex Construction in November 2018 as a financial controller.

A senior accountant with wide multi sector experience, Darren has credentials in finance business partnering in the construction industry, including large scale offshore construction projects (oil, gas and renewables) and ERP system implementations.

The Morton Group CEO Gary Morton commented: “Over the last three years we’ve experienced phenomenal growth and our exceptional team have been instrumental to the success of our business.

“Darren’s promotion is in recognition of his drive and enthusiasm, as well as his wealth of expertise and experience. I’m delighted to promote from within the company and I offer my hearty congratulations to him.”

Darren added: “I’m delighted and honoured to be promoted to Finance Director and I look forward to helping the business and the group go from strength to strength.”

Emily Seager, Tom Jackson and Jamie Wilson, Knight Frank

Property consultancy Knight Frank has announced three promotions at its Newcastle office.

Commercial leases specialist, Emily Seager, has been promoted to partner after almost five years in the business.

Emily negotiates rent reviews, lease renewals and lease restructures on behalf of landlords and tenants and has almost 15 years’ experience.

Emily Seager said: “I’m excited to be recognised and given more responsibility at Knight Frank during such interesting times. The team has a huge amount of experience dealing with shifting markets, advising landlords and tenants.

“We can take the strain off companies so they can focus on their core business in the comfort of knowing their property matters are being dealt with by the best in the business.”

In addition Tom Jackson who works in the firm’s building consultancy team has been promoted to associate and Jamie Wilson, who works on property investments and land acquisition across the capital markets and residential development teams, has been promoted to senior surveyor.

Head of office, Peter Bowden, commented: “It’s always a happy time of the year when Knight Frank announces its promotions across the UK.

“Emily, Tom and Jamie are thoroughly deserving of their new positions and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can achieve.”