This week's North East appointments

Louise Buckton, Jonathan Horner, Paul Errington and Tim Wood, ENGIE

Energy and regeneration specialist, ENGIE, has introduced four new senior roles to build on the company’s continued growth in the area.

Louise Buckton joins ENGIE as New Build Director for the area, after six years at Esh Construction.

Jonathan Horner and Paul Errington have both received internal promotions at ENGIE, respectively taking on new roles as refurbishment director and partnerships director for the North East and Cumbria.

Also joining the team is Tim Wood, head of sustainability, who has a wealth of experience from his time at Home Group, Gentoo and Kier.

Lee Francis, regional managing director for ENGIE’s North East and Cumbria footprint, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Louise and Tim to the business, whilst also appointing Jonathan and Paul to their well-deserved new roles.

“With their vast knowledge and experiences, coupled with a very talented and motivated workforce, we hope to continue to deliver innovative and pioneering solutions for our customers and partners, whilst also supporting them with their zero carbon ambitions.”

Ross Hamilton, Ward Robinson

Newcastle project management and interior design practice Ward Robinson has appointed Ross Hamilton as projects director.

Ross has more than 20 years experience of the property and construction industry, mostly based in the North East.

Arriving from Faithful+Gould, Ross has recently delivered projects for clients including Newcastle University, Durham University, Alnwick Garden Trust, a number of local authorities and private developers.

He commented: “I am incredibly excited to join the fantastic team at Ward Robinson, becoming part of a team that adds real value for their clients across a range of sectors. 

“I am looking forward to working with both existing and new clients and helping to grow the business in the years to come.”

Brian Taylor. director of Ward Robinson, added: “Ross brings a wealth of experience, both in sectors that Ward Robinson are already well established in, together with areas where we are focussing on planned expansion. 

“His considerable strengths and expertise are an intrinsic part of the strategic growth of the business.”

Brian Palmer and Aman Chahal, The Entrepreneurs’ Forum

The Entrepreneurs’ Forum has appointed two experienced business leaders to its board.

Brian Palmer, chief executive of Tharsus, and Aman Chahal, who co-founded TaperedPlus, have been appointed the board.

Engineer and entrepreneur Brian Palmer has grown Northumberland-based Tharsus from a small, back street metal bashing shop to become one of Europe’s most advanced robotics companies.

Today its strategic machines provide complex automation solutions that enable businesses to create new opportunities.

Since Aman Chahal established Teesside-based TaperedPlus in 2014 with business partner Robert Vass, the business has become a national leader in flat roof design and building services.

Brian said: “The Entrepreneurs’ Forum helped me on my entrepreneurial journey, providing inspiration, insight and camaraderie, so I feel that it is only right to accept the invitation to join the Forum’s Board.”

Aman added: “I accepted the invitation to join the Board of the Forum as I reckon its payback time for all the support and encouragement its members have given me over the past few years. It’s good to know we are not alone.”

Able UK, Sarah Hale

Able UK has announced the appointment of a new financial director.

Sarah Hale is joining the Billingham-based companu with experience across a range of businesses in the North East and says she is pleased to be joining ‘a bold and innovative business which has never been afraid to adapt to serve the needs of its customers.’

Sarah began her career qualifying as a chartered accountant with EY (Ernst and Young) and spending ten years working across their offices in the North of England.

She then moved on as group financial controller with the Banks Group in County Durham appraising large mining, property and onshore windfarm projects.

After moving to Baldwins Accountants as audit director she subsequently joined Cameron’s Brewery in February 2018 as financial controller.

Sarah commented: “I’m delighted to be joining Able. Having grown up around Teesside it’s a company I’ve always been interested in.

“It is a bold and innovative business which has never been afraid to adapt to serve the needs of its customers.

“I’m very much looking forward to being part of its future which promises to be just as exciting and challenging as its past.”

Able executive chairman Peter Stephenson added: “Sarah joins our senior management team at a time when the company is moving ahead on all fronts.

“Already recognised as a world leader in the marine decommissioning and recycling industry, we are now firmly established at the forefront of the rapidly developing offshore wind sector with the huge potential of our sites at Able Seaton Port on Teesside and the Able Marine Energy Park on the Humber.”

Matt Boxall, Castlegate Shopping Centre

Retail expert Matt Boxall has been appointed as manager of Wellington Square and Castlegate Shopping Centres in Stockton.

Matt was previously deputy centre manager and then retail services manager at Teesside Park, where he worked for six years. Before that he worked for Go Outdoors as general manager across the region.

Castlegate Shopping Centre and Swallow Hotel are due to be demolished in 2022 to be replaced by a new urban park, central council office building and land bridge over Riverside Road creating a direct link between the High Street and the River Tees.

That means the town’s shopping offer will be more concentrated in Wellington Square, the High Street and the Yards.

Matt said: “I am extremely proud of where I come from and I want the area and its people to succeed.

“It is exciting times for the town. We will be able to make something fantastic out of what is left when the Castlegate is gone, with our broad mix of fantastic independents and national chains, selling quality products.

“As a community shopping centre, at the heart of Stockton, we are also looking forward to working with local social enterprises and charities.”