This week's North East appointments

Lee Tetley, JM Glendinning

Insurance broker JM Glendinning has appointed Lee Teley as managing director.

Former Allianz Business Services managing director Lee has over 20 years’experience in the industry, with knowledge predominantly in commercial insurance services, specialising in SME and digital-forward insurance solutions.

In his new role, Lee will initially focus on developing the Newcastle office’s strategy for its SME client base, whilst maintaining business growth and developing its team of 18 employees.

Lee’s career has seen him progress from insurance sales and renewals to becoming MD at SMEi prior to its acquisition by Marsh. He remained at Marsh as operations director until moving to Allianz.

Lee commented: “The business is in a very strong position in the market having grown year on year since it launched in 2013.

“Our employees and the culture of the business are extremely important to success and I plan to spend a lot of time with our team, mentoring, collaborating with and learning from them.

“Maintaining positive working practices will, I believe, enable us to offer the best service to our clients.”

Lee takes over from former North East MD, Neil Forrest, who following the recent MBO will take on board new group responsibilities. Neil added: “Our Newcastle office is in exceptionally safe hands with Lee at the helm.

“He has an impressive track record of leading businesses to a position of sustainable growth and I have every confidence that he will achieve great things at JM Glendinning.

“Lee is well known and respected in the insurance industry and has great strengths in employee engagement and strategic planning. I look forward to working with him and seeing the Newcastle business flourish under his leadership.”

Alan Rowe and Callum Fysh, Ergo Projects

Architectural technologist and designer Ergo Projects has made two new appointments ato its team.

Alan Rowe joins as technical manager while Callum Fysh comes in as an architectural technician.

With almost 20 years’ industry experience, Alan will oversee all things technical as well as the implementation of new management systems in line with ISO 9001 accreditation.

Callum, who brings five years’ experience as an architectural technologist to the role, will be responsible for producing technical drawings using the Revit 3D building information modelling design package.

Adrian Reay, founder and managing director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome two skilled and ambitious people.

“Alan and Callum are important additions to the 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 Whitehead, youngsRPS

Property consultancy youngsRPS has appointed Tom Whitehead as associate.

Tom has experience of a range of land and property consultancy services, and is a fully qualified rural chartered surveyor, RICS Registered Valuer and appointed agent to the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC).

Prior to joining the firm, Tom held previous roles with Savills and Carter Jonas where he delivered services including rural agency and investment, compulsory purchase and compensation and valuation services.

Tom is an experienced valuer providing Red Book reports to assist a diverse client base including banks, charities and private individuals across reporting needs including taxation, accounting and as an Expert Witness.

Tom has particular experience dealing with high value country houses, rural estates and let property portfolios and has also worked closely with public sector organisations, including numerous local authorities, on agricultural planning matters and renewable energy issues.

Graeme Bruce, managing director of youngsRPS, commented: “It’s great to have Tom on board, he’s an asset to the firm and provides specialist expertise, a great work ethic and wide-ranging experience that will help us achieve our ambitions.

“Tom possesses some very niche skills and experience which enhance our offering in areas including telecoms, energy and rural agency and valuation.

“He’ll drive forward our professional services, developing key opportunities during such an era of change for the property, land and development sector.”

Tom added: “I have always admired youngsRPS for the high-quality work they deliver and range of services they provide to businesses across the region. I have watched the consultancy grow and it’s great to now play an integral role in helping to maintain that momentum.

“I bring a lot of specialist experience and knowledge of complex issues to the business, especially around rural property and valuation matters, and have a long-standing relationship with the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC) as a specialist lender to the farming and rural business community”.

“youngsRPS is a truly regional consultancy with an exceptionally strong reputation in the property, land and development sectors and I’m pleased to join a talented and highly regarded team.”

Rebecca Baker, Ambassador Theatre Group

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has appointed Rebecca Baker as head of marketing and communications at Stockton Globe.

Rebecca joins Stockton Globe with over eight years of experience in both in-house and agency side roles leading marketing strategy and execution for clients in a range of industries including hospitality, manufacturing, education, B2B services and e-commerce.

Rebecca commented: “As head of marketing and communications at the Stockton Globe, I will shape the strategic direction of the venue’s marketing, with the overall aim of driving ticket sales and revenue.

“I will use my previous experience raising the profile of businesses by firmly establishing the venue within the wider community and supporting the theatre’s long term growth plan.

“Being born and raised in Teesside, I am passionate about promoting the area and showcasing all that it has to offer. Many of my family members speak excitedly of the Stockton Globe in years gone by with stories of the stars that performed and the shows they attended.

“I am extremely excited to be part of the team bringing the venue back to its former glory as one of the leading live entertainment venues in the North East and generating the buzz that used to surround the theatre.”

Gavin Cunningham, Shadbolt Group

Multidisciplinary construction solutions provider Shadbolt Group has appointed Gavin Cunningham as associate director to the civil engineering.

Chartered civil engineer Gavin has 20 years of experience in his field, and joins the firm after a six-year stint leading a civil engineering team at Atkins.

Lee Butler, director at Shadbolt Group, commented: “We are thrilled that Gavin has chosen to join our civil engineering department.

“With the broad range of experience that he brings with him, we are sure that he will make a valuable contribution to the ongoing success of the Shadbolt Group.”

Nigel Hedley, razorblue

Managed IT service provider razorblue has appointed Nigel Hedley to its team.

Nigel has joined razorblue to support the growth of its software division which aims to help improve business profitability and efficiency through digital transformation.

Nigel said: “razorblue’s reputation is what first attracted me to the company. I wanted to work with a leading technology company and razorblue is just that.

“The people who work here also have an extremely high level of expertise in their fields and the positive company ethos has shone throughout.

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of businesses’ growth, especially during these times. What excites me and drives me every day is the fact that I am helping people and businesses with their success through utilising software in the best way possible, to achieve their business goals.”

Jonathan Anderson, managing director – business software at razorblue added: “I am thrilled to welcome Nigel to the team who with his wealth of experience and knowledge will play a key role in razorblue’s growth strategy and support businesses on their digital transformation journey.

“As businesses reflect on the turbulence of the last year and uncertainties that lie ahead, we are excited to be supporting them through business transformation to ensure stability and growth.

“As Microsoft Dynamics 365 continues to evolve and grow its market share, to address such demands we continue to appoint more experts in the area.”

Dan Peck, NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI)

NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) has appointed Dan Peck as head of inward investment.

Dan is a graduate of Yale University, with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA). He is an experienced social impact consultant and organisational leader with 12 years of multi-sectoral experience across investment banking, management consulting, and social impact and government consulting.

Having recently moved to Newcastle from San Francisco, Dan brings a range of experience from both the private and public sector and the UK and international markets.

Dan has spent the last six years helping to lead a government and social impact consultancy that uses public funding, data, and government policy as levers to improve social outcomes for America’s most vulnerable communities.

In addition, to his social impact consultancy work, Dan has also worked as a management consultant, providing strategic advice to clients across the UK and Europe, and for a global investment bank specialising in providing mergers, acquisition, and corporate finance advisory services to multi-national corporate clients.

On his appointment, Dan said: “Having lived and worked in San Francisco, London, New York, and Nashville, I am so impressed with everything the North East has to offer to both businesses and the people who live here.

I have visited many cities across the world, but Newcastle is genuinely unique, with so much history, community spirit, culture and innovation - I can see why the people who live here are so proud of the place they call home.

“There are so many reasons to invest in this great city, and I am looking forward to meeting the city’s leaders, ambassadors and world-class talent and further positioning its offer to investors and people across the world.

“I am delighted to be joining and helping to lead such as strong and ambitious team and to be able to play my part in the recovery and growth of the economy. This is a very challenging time, but also an opportune time to make a lasting social and economic impact.”

Sarah Green, chief executive of NGI, added: “As we start the new year, we must focus on how we can rebuild and grow our economy and this senior appointment will play an instrumental role in its recovery.

“Dan’s vast experience of working across international markets and the private and public sectors, coupled with his passion for NewcastleGateshead and leadership skills, make him a great addition to our senior management team.”