Newcastle-based Cairn Group has appointed an experienced food and beverage operations director to oversee its portfolio of standalone restaurants and bars. David Ladd joins from Bar Soba Group where he headed the pan Asian brand and was responsible for an annual turnover of more than £10m and 200 employees.
He has worked for well-known companies in the hospitality sector including Cameron’s Brewery, Mahiki Group and Newcastle-based Black Door Group. Cairn Group operates individually branded bars and restaurants across the UK in addition to 28 hotels.
Mr Ladd said: “I am delighted to be joining Cairn Group and getting to know its diverse portfolio of bars, restaurants and hotels. I was very impressed by the professionalism and passion of the Cairn team. This is a fantastic opportunity, and I am excited to get started.”
Manufacturing business Birtley Group has welcomed two new apprentices, the first to be recruited under the group’s long-term commitment to invest in young people and retain home-grown talent.
Daniel Jameson, 21, and Josh Perkins, 18, have started their training to become specialist welders, learning the trade through a combination of hands-on guidance on-site and academic study at both Sunderland and Teesside colleges. The trainees are based at the company's manufacturing site in Chester-Le-Street, which produces a wide range of steel lintels and specialist doors for trade, industry, house builders and housing associations, under its Birtley Lintels and Bowater Doors brands.
Head of people Carla O’may said: “Welding products is one of the biggest parts of our business as we produce over 25,000 tonnes of steel products each year so to be able to invest in this area will help improve production and lead times for customers. The lads have already demonstrated maturity and a passion for what they do so I have high hopes for their careers within the industry.”
A Sunderland orthodontic business has appointed Sean Thompson as its new CEO.
Retainers 4 Life (R4L), which helps patients preserve their straight teeth after treatment, has brought Mr Thompson into the business 15 months after he retired from his position as MD at the Ashford Orthodontics. Mr Thompson, who has over 40 years of industry knowledge, said: “Everybody who knows me knows of my passion for business, especially within the straight teeth industry.
“After working with R4L to help develop its growth and business strategy, it became such a compelling and exciting opportunity that, when I was asked to direct the company on an ongoing basis, I just couldn’t turn down the chance to guide it to growth.”
Constructing Excellence in the North East (CENE) has appointed Dainee Brown as office administrator. Ms Brown joins the team with administration and events experience, including client servicing and events coordinator at St James’s Place Wealth Management. She will work alongside Catriona Lingwood, chief executive, Leanne Conaway, events manager and Kate Lloyd, programme manager.
Alongside her three day-week role at CENE, she will continue to run her own business, Dainee Brown Personal Training at Performance Fitness Centre in Sunderland.
She said: “I am really enjoying my new role and I have already attended a number of events including CPD seminars, site visits and networking. It is a supportive team and it provides me with the flexibility to continue my other role as a PT instructor. As someone who is interested in people, keen to learn and has a love of events, this is a great opportunity.”
Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has confirmed 12 senior promotions in Newcastle, including seven new managing associates and five new associates.
In the private wealth team, Alice Causer and Ellen Rutherford have been named managing associate and Iain Stewart associate. The real estate team sees the addition of Jenny Smith as managing associate. In dispute resolution, Lorena Hoxhaj and Paige Lewis have been promoted to associate. In the corporate and commercial team David Ridley, Oliver Rickett, Todd Rayner and Peter Cantwell have been promoted to managing associate and Georgia Whitfield and Laura McIntyre to associate.
Paul Stewart, UK managing partner, said: “We want our people to enjoy long and successful careers with us and we work hard to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and be rewarded for their success. Congratulations to all of our new associates and managing associates on their well-deserved promotions. They have all made fantastic contributions to our business and their talent, expertise and excellent client service deserves to be recognised.”
Silverstone Building Consultancy has appointed Michael McMahon as a graduate building surveyor at its Newcastle office.
Mr McMahon is working full-time at the company, whilst also distance learning for a masters in building surveying at Northumbria University, where he is currently in his final year.
He said: “My background is actually in the trades where I was a gas fitter. I always knew that surveying was an area I wanted to get into and gradually worked my way into social housing as a void surveyor. I am fortunate the company is assisting me on my learning journey, including further qualifications, such as my Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) in building surveying following my masters, so that I become chartered. This is a brilliant opportunity for me, as not many companies offer this level of support.”
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