This week's North East appointments

Emily Cannell, Mincoffs Solicitors

Newcastle law firm Mincoffs Solicitors has promoted family law specialist Emily Cannell to partner.

Emily started her legal career at a prominent commercial firm in her hometown of Hull before joining Mincoffs in 2012. She was promoted to associate solicitor in 2016.

She represents clients across the country and deals with all apsects of family law including pre and post nuptial agreements, relationship breakdown including divorce, disputes between cohabitees and financial remedies.

Emily said: ‘“I am delighted to become a partner having enjoyed playing a part in Mincoffs’ growth over a number of years and I look forward to further strengthening our Family Law offering.”

Andy Woodhouse, chief executive, added: ‘Partnership rewards Emily’s hard work, the important contribution she has made during her time at the firm and her standing in the legal community.’

Stephen Patterson, NE1

Business Improvement District company NE1 has announced the appointment of Stephen Patterson to the role of chief executive.

Stephen was one half of the two-man team who set up the BID company in 2008 and has worked in various roles with the company rising to the role of director of communications in 2015 and now to chief executive.

Adam Serfontein, chair of the board at NE1, said: “Stephen has demonstrated his passion and commitment to the city and to NE1 over the past 13 years and is an ardent campaigner for Newcastle and the wider North East region.

“He was the outstanding candidate for the job and his appointment receives the ringing endorsement from the board, the whole NE1 team and from the city’s business community.

“Stephen has an unrivalled knowledge of Newcastle and has an ambitious vision for the company and the role it can play in helping shape the city’s future.”

Stephen commented: “It has been a challenging time for the city over the past 16 months, but the future is exciting and full of opportunity.

“Thanks to Adrian for all his efforts, as I know I am inheriting an enthusiastic, motivated and ambitious team and that NE1 is well placed to push forward with determination to make the city every bit as good as it can possibly be.

“We need to be resolute and relentless in securing every possible advantage for Newcastle, its businesses and its people.

“What the past 16 months has underlined is the need for the city to come together and work collaboratively. We are not simply aspiring to return to the way things were, but to push forward and improve on the city centre offer. Pound for pound, it is the best city in its class, it has so much going for it and we are not going to be shy in shouting about it!”

David Bailey, Fluxx and magneticNorth

Fluxx and magneticNorth have appointed David Bailey as their new executive creative director.

David has previously worked for The Designers Republic, before establishing his own studio, Kiosk in 2005.

For the past 7 years David has co-led the BBC’s UX&D team - spearheading the development of its design framework, GEL.UK.

Jenny Burns, executive partner, said: “Human centred design is at the heart of everything we do.

“David’s unique combination of experience in Digital, UX and Brand will stretch our capabilities and help us attract the nation’s top creative talent.

David said: “The scale, complexity and variety of work really excites me. Good design elevates, but exceptional design has the potential to change lives for the better.

“We’ll strive to be exceptional for our clients, their growth and ambitions.”

Brett Devenish, AspinallVerdi

Property regeneration consultants AspinallVerdi have expanded into the North East of England with the appointment of Brett Devenish to head a new office in Newcastle.

The Newcastle office of AspinallVerdi will serve the entire North East and represents the latest addition to the Leeds-headquartered firm’s network of offices in Leeds, Liverpool and London.

Having worked in the private and public sectors in the North East for the past 14 years, Brett joins AspinallVerdi from Capita, where he was head of property for the international outsourcing consultancy’s partnership with North Tyneside Council, as well as working with clients across England.

He has extensive experience in development viability, regeneration, valuation, disposals and property management.

Brett’s remit includes adding new clients to AspinallVerdi’s existing work in the North East for Homes England, Northumberland County Council, and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

And as the firm’s workload across the region grows, AspinallVerdi plans to recruit further staff to join Brett when he secures dedicated office space in Newcastle.

Brett said: “AspinallVerdi is a well-respected and growing firm, and I firmly believe its culture matches my own philosophy.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of growing the brand further in the North East and beyond.”

AspinallVerdi’s chairman Atam Verdi commented: “The opening of an office in Newcastle follows a number of successful years of growth in commissions in the North East.

“Securing Brett and his established track record is an exciting new chapter. This will grow our capabilities and assist our clients in achieving their goals of unlocking development.”

Steven Harrison, Able Group

Renewable energy firm Able Group has announced the appointment of Steven Harrison as its group managing director.

Steve has held key posts in ports and mining businesses, including COO at the Port of Tyne in Newcastle, managing director of Durham-based Banks Mining, and most recently overseeing Associated British Ports business in South Wales and the South West of England.

Peter Stephenson, founder of Able Group, commented: “We are delighted that a senior business leader with such a track strong record of delivering success and growth in major companies will now be playing a key role in building on the success that we have achieved for many years across a range of challenging industrial sectors.”

Steve added: “The Able Group has always demonstrated an impressive ability to innovate and exploit new business opportunities and this is exactly the approach we need as we meet the extensive challenges and needs of these new and exciting business sectors.

“As someone who has spent much of my working life in the North East, I am delighted to have the opportunity to play a part in ensuring that the Able Group continues to move forward as one of the region’s real success stories – not least in playing its part in delivering the climate change agenda.”