This week's North East appointments

Rob Mounter and Shane Griffith, RWO

Civil and structural engineering firm RWO has appointed Rob Mounter as structural engineer and Shane Griffith as structural technician.

With more than three years’ engineering experience, Rob will be part of the structures team, providing structural analysis and design work for regional and national house builders, contractors and developers.

Shane will be responsible for the structural detailing of steelwork, reinforced concrete, masonry and timber using 3D structural modelling and 2D structural drawing services and technologies.

Both will be involved in RWO’s expanding commercial and residential structural engineering work as well as supporting the senior management team in project planning and development.

Director Reece Kesson commented: “We’re delighted to welcome two talented, skilled and ambitious people to RWO.

“Rob and Shane will be important additions to the structures team and we look forward to them contributing enormously, enjoying their time with us as they work with clients and continue to develop their careers and expertise.”

Tom Cosby, RG Corporate Finance (RGCF)

RG Corporate Finance (RGCF) has appointed Tom Cosby as corporate finance executive.

Tom, who graduated from Newcastle University with a first-class degree in accounting and finance, originally joined RG in 2018 and spent his training contract working within the accounting, audit and corporate finance teams supporting a range of SMEs.

Having completed his training contract with the firm, Tom now joins the RGCF team on a permanent basis.

Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at RGCF, said: “Tom is a talented and forward-thinking individual who will bring fresh ideas and energy to RGCF.

“We are growing, and with a very strong pipeline, Tom will have the opportunity to help advise a range of privately owned companies, corporates, financial investors and debt funds and management teams on a variety of transactions across the UK.”

Tom added: “I can’t wait to get started with the Corporate Finance team at RG. I have been lucky to have been presented with a unique opportunity to work within a variety of service lines within the firm during my training contract, but I have quickly developed a passion for corporate finance and want to pursue a career as a business advisor.

“I am particularly impressed by RG’s vision to become the leading independent advisory firm in the region, and I am excited to be part of a firm with such ambition and one that is experiencing a period of significant growth.”

Richard Towler and Kyle Tranter, Clarke Munro

Clarke Munro has appointed Richard Towler as sales director and Kyle Tranter as apprentice viewer.

Richard has worked in property for around 13 years, most recently as a manager at London agency Marsh & Parsons.

Richard explained: “I’ve been aware of Clarke Munro and its excellent reputation in the area for some time now, and, when I met Wendy and Nicola, it was clear this was an exciting company with a bright future.

“I felt that this ambitious business was the right fit for me and I’m looking forward to delivering great results for clients and helping to develop the company.”

Kyle, who recently graduated from Teesside University, commented: “While I have no previous experience of working in an estate agents, once I sat down with Wendy and Nicola and learned more about the company’s goal and the role I would be playing, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to get started.

“The apprenticeship will give me valuable experience, and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to work with the team to make sure that buyers and sellers benefit from all their knowledge.”

The firm, which was previously known as Thirlwells, rebranded in September, taking the names of partners Wendy Clarke and Nicola Munro.

Wendy explained: “We already have an experienced valuation team, and we felt the time was right to take on a dedicated sales director.

“Richard has a wealth of experience, having spent more than a decade in the London property market, and we’re looking forward to hearing his new ideas and innovative ways to drive the department forward.”

She added: “Kyle is very much a people person, so, with our intense training and his personality, we see a very bright future for him.

“We like to start them young so we can mould them to the Clarke Munro way. Customer service is very important to us, so this lesson starts from day one, and our internal training program is intense as we want them to be the best in the business.”

Helen Walkinshaw, Generator

Music and business support agency Generator has appointed Helen Walkinshaw as talent development manager.

Helen, who was most recently event coordinator at Sage Gateshead, has worked on independent and commercial UK festival production teams (most notably Festival Republic and Leeds Festival), and has over 10 years of experience in self-promoting DIY gigs, managing venues in the North East, and curating events.

Helen also has experience as a musician herself, having come from a family of North East folk musicians and was brought up in the folk scene. She currently performs in bands Shy-Talk and BLÓM,

Helen commented, “I’m beyond excited to take on the role of talent development manager with Generator at such a crucial time for the music industry and I am grateful for an opportunity to merge my passions with my professional insight.

“I see this as an opportunity to draw on my skills to champion inclusion and wellbeing as well as creativity; working collaboratively with people throughout the region, to holistically grow a diverse community of artists and creative professionals, who represent and celebrate the North East.”

Hannah Matterson, CEO of Generator, added: “We are so pleased to welcome Helen to the Generator team as our new talent development manager.”

“Her passion and enthusiasm for music, as well as experience and knowledge of the challenges facing artists and the industry, is impressive.

“Helen has some fantastic ideas to help us realise our aim of supporting artists and industry professionals across the North East and I can’t wait to start working with her to deliver them in the New Year.”