This week's North East appointments

Arthur McLaughlin, Blue Square Utilities (BSU)

Blue Square Utilities (BSU) has appointed Arthur McLaughlin as chief operating officer.

Arthur has experience as former COO and head of IT and transformation services for JP Morgan, as well as a position as the global account director and COO for the AstraZeneca account at IBM.

During his 13 years at IBM, Arthur – an applied scientist (PhD physicist) – was a member of the team which created the first variant of what today is IBM Cloud and later went on to manage IBM’s relationship with AstraZeneca’s research and development division. He moved to JP Morgan in 2010 to drive transformation of the firm’s IT services.

Arthur is also an active member of the Diversity & Inclusion in Tech digital community, Global CTO Forum (GCF) and Global Cyber Security Ecosystem.

Commenting on his new role, Arthur – who has 30 years of technology industry experience – explained: “I love being at the sharp end of a business which is growing and transforming. Blue Square’s ambition within the smart tech space is fantastic, as is the culture, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“My priority is to move the needle of business performance and explore how we maximise our strategic direction, while targeting efficient operating models which can be converted into executable programmes that deliver value realisation.”

Explaining the rationale behind the new position, BSU CEO, Steve Lees added: “After a particularly challenging year in 2020, this appointment has been made to further our ambition to be a leading player in the smart installation space.

“Arthur brings a wealth of experience and drive and will help push BSU forward.”

Peter Morron, Essity Prudhoe Mill

Tissue manufacturer Essity has appointed Peter Morron as resource support (RST) maintenance leader at its paper mill Prudhoe.

Peter brings more than 16 years of mechanical engineering experience in heavy manufacturing to the role, having worked with Guardian Glass near York and British Steel at Scunthorpe Steelworks.

Peter has a degree in mechanical engineering from Nottingham University, a post graduate diploma in maintenance engineering and asset management from Manchester University and various leadership and project management training qualifications.

As RST maintenance leader, Peter will be responsible for a team of mechanical and electrical technicians tasked with maintaining one of the mill’s two giant paper-making machines.

Peter said: “I’m delighted to join the team here at Prudhoe. I’m looking forward to sharing my experience of condition-based maintenance and working with the team to improve plant reliability and develop continuous improvement techniques.”

Tony Richards, Essity operations director for UK manufacturing and site manager at Prudhoe Mill, said: “We are thrilled that Peter has joined us. It is a very busy and hands-on role in a fast-paced environment.

“With the broad range of experience that he brings with him, we are sure that he will make a valuable contribution to the mill’s performance.”

Lee Watson, Clive Owen LLP

Tax specialist Clive Owen LLP has promoted Lee Watson as tax partner.

Lee, who joined the firm seven years ago as senior tax manager, is one of 14 tax professionals based at the Darlington, Durham, and York offices, working on tax planning, advice, and compliance for the firm.

Lee commented: “I am incredibly delighted to continue my career at Clive Owen LLP and grateful for the support of colleagues, as I have progressed.

“I love the challenging, fast moving pace of the firm and the satisfaction of helping clients to achieve their business goals through careful and considered tax planning.

“I am looking forward to the future, working with more exceptional businesses across the region. The great news we have received in and after the Budget means that our region is ripe with opportunities and I cannot wait to support and engage with entrepreneurial businesses across Darlington and the Tees Valley to take advantage of this.’’

Tony Luckett, managing partner of Clive Owen LLP, added: “Lee’s promotion is testament to the impact that he has made within the firm, over the last seven years.

“We see a bright future for our entire tax team, and we will continue to make strategic appointments to bolster the advisory arm of our practice to continue providing good quality advice that our clients require in these challenging times.”

Marianne Locatori, Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust

Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust has appointed Marianne Locatori as chief executive.

Marianne will join the Grey Street theatre from Theatre Royal Plymouth, where she is currently director of strategic projects.

– at the beginning of October and will succeed Philip Bernays who is retiring after 16 years at the helm.

During her time at Theatre Royal Plymouth, Ms Locatori has implemented a number of innovative commercial and artistic strategies, which - alongside responsibility for programming a broad spectrum of high calibre productions - have been instrumental in firmly establishing the theatre as one of the most prominent regional venues in the country.

A committed advocate of regional theatre, Ms Locatori is passionate about the important role that arts and culture plays in generating positive change and community engagement.

Prior to joining Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2003, she spent a number of years at Ambassador Theatre Group. Earlier this year she was appointed as a Director of the Dance Consortium, a group of UK theatres dedicated to bringing the best of contemporary dance to audiences across the country.

Marianne Locatori said: “Newcastle Theatre Royal is one of the most highly regarded theatres in the country; it is an organisation that I have long admired and I am delighted to be appointed as Chief Executive.

“It will be a privilege to lead this successful and important cultural organisation in what is such a fantastic and vibrant city. I’m very much looking forward to working with the board, the team and the wider community and developing a vision that takes the organisation to its next stage of success.”

Nick Swales, chair of the board of Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust, added: “We are delighted to have someone with Marianne’s impressive track record in regional theatre on board.

“She brings a wealth of valuable experience, which, alongside with her drive, passion and determination makes her absolutely the right person to take Newcastle Theatre Royal forward and deliver upon our strategic ambitions.”

Gemma Robinson, Vida Creative

Digital branding and design agency Vida Creative has appointed Gemma Robinson as web developer.

Gemma, who specialises in front-end development, brings over four years’ experience in the field, having previously held junior developer and web developer positions in Birmingham based agencies. She has recently relocated back to the North East, to her hometown in North Tyneside.

Vida Creative co-founder, Henry Coggin, commented: “We’re delighted to further grow our talented team.

“Currently and over the next few months we will be working on some exciting website redesigns and rebuilds, which was why we felt it best we further grow our web development skillset by welcoming Gemma onboard.”

Paul Wright, Gentoo Group

Sunderland-based housing association, Gentoo Group, has appointed Paul Wright as its new Finance Director.

Reporting into the Group’s executive director of finance Peter Lenehan, the new appointment will see Paul at the helm of Gentoo’s Finance Team. Paul will assist Peter to deliver Gentoo’s financial objectives as well as ensuring Gentoo’s financial viability arrangements, procedures, systems and documents remain effective.

Paul joins Gentoo from the SAFC Foundation of Light, where he was Director of Finance and Support Services. He brings to Gentoo more than 28 years’ experience working in finance roles across a number of different sectors including Nissan, Akzo Nobel, Carrier Rental Systems and Toshiba.

Speaking of his appointment, Paul Wright said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed to this role. It’s been an uncertain year for many organisations operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, however Gentoo’s financial position has remained strong.

“Having lived and worked in Sunderland for many years, I understand the crucial role Gentoo plays in the city as an anchor institution, and I am looking forward to being a part of this.”

Nigel Wilson, chief executive officer at Gentoo Group said: “We are delighted to have been able to attract Paul to the Finance Director position at Gentoo.

“Paul’s vast and varied experience will be a great addition to the team and his passion to make a difference in Sunderland is something we really value.”