Procurement organisation NEPO has strengthened its team with a handful of new appointments.
Jenny Robins has been promoted to the senior management team as operations specialist, focusing on NEPO’s internal communications, performance management, governance, finance and HR. And Vicky Owen has been appointed executive assistant to support managing director Nicola Shelley and commercial and procurement director Steven Sinclair.
Meanwhile Nick McDonald has been promoted to procurement specialist and will lead the ICT and financial services category and Michelle Armstrong has been promoted to procurement specialist leading the fleet category. Within NEPO's managed service approach - the NEPRO Framework - Phil Hancock has been appointed NEPRO relationships and partnerships specialist, and Joy Stafford has become NEPRO solutions performance coordinator.
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Nicola Shelley, NEPO managing director, said: “NEPO has an ambitious strategy which will help us deliver the region’s ambitions. We have bolstered the NEPO team to ensure that we can do this. The new roles will help the North East public sector seize these opportunities whilst delivering tangible impacts in our local communities.
"We are committed to attracting and developing talented people from within the region. I’m delighted we have strengthened the team through promotions and new additions. Jenny, Nick and Michelle, bring a wealth of experience in their new roles and will help us deliver our ambitions. Phil and Joy are great additions to the NEPRO team helping us build on our successful work across the public sector.”
Printing and supply chain specialist Elanders UK has appointed Richard Covey a business development manager.
He brings more than 30 years of experience, including considerable time spent in the automotive industry. Most recently he worked at FCA Bank, which operates mainly in the automotive financial sector and previously he worked alongside current business development director at Elanders UK, Martin Ellison, at Motability Operations Ltd.
Mr Covey said: "When Martin reached out to me about joining Elanders UK, it was an easy decision to make. The company is well known and respected within the industry and I begin my position during an exciting time for the company as it experiences phenomenal growth.
"The team is committed to one vision, growing the business through outstanding customer service and second-to-none products. I am confident that I can play a key role in helping to drive this growth and delivering exceptional results for our customers."
GT3 Architects has made a series of promotions across its practice.
Michael Simpson, Paul Reed and Suzanne Blair have all been appointed directors. Mr Simpson is lead for for interiors and consultancy as well as internal quality management, while Ms Blair is responsible for education sector projects at GT3 and leads internal operations. Mr Reed leads on the sports and leisure sector, the firm’s largest area of expertise.
Seven further team changes include Marta Subh Lopez being promoted to associate director, promotions for Anna Cumberland, Matt McCreith, Paolo Coyle and Simon Baker to senior architect as well as Josh Wardle to senior technologist and James Milne to project technologist.
Simon Dunstan, director at GT3 Architects, said: “I want to congratulate all 10 promotions as they have all worked really hard – and it’s great to see that dedication rewarded. We particularly want to pay tribute to Suzanne, Paul and Michael as they become directors within the business.
"Their promotions demonstrate that there are many different routes to becoming a senior member of staff – whether that be developing a new, profitable skill, becoming a recognised sector specialist or contributing to the efficient and effective running of the company – and they all share a genuine dedication to the success of the business and the team."
Property consultancy George F. White has announced Sally Hart and Richard Garland as joint managing partners.
Ms Hart, who took the role of managing director last year, will focus on business strategy and operations, as well as leading the property management and agency teams while Mr Garland, who has been promoted from partner, will focus on business development and high-level strategic client work.
Former managing partner Robyn Peat has taken the role of chairman and will remain in the business and on the firm’s executive board as well as continuing to work with clients. The move comes amid significant growth, following the firm's merger with Johnson Tucker LLP.
Ms Hart said: "Both Richard and I have come up through the business and have different specialisms, so it felt right for us to become joint managing partners. The joint approach breaks away from the norm in our industry, showing the type of business that we are and want to continue to be, with our diversity front and centre. Our team has a lot to be proud of as we end the financial year, and much to look forward to on the journey ahead. We’re in a strong position to be creating even more job opportunities and have some brilliant roles available now to join the team and be part of our expansion."
Tech network Dynamo has appointed Leighton’s chief executive officer, James Bunting, to replace co-founder Charlie Hoult as chair of its advisory board.
Mr Bunting joins Dynamo with a wealth of experience working in the region’s tech sector. After working initially in marketing, he joined software firm Leighton where he worked in several roles including product development, sales, customer success and strategy, and operations.
He then co-founded Communicator Corp, a SaaS email marketing platform later acquired by Trinity Mirror (now Reach plc). Mr Bunting is also an investor in and mentor to start-ups.
He said: "The regional tech sector has given me so many opportunities that I felt I wanted to give something back. I’m excited at the prospect of being able to help shape Dynamo’s future. I want to help our brilliant regional tech sector grow further – through encouraging businesses to collaborate, share, nurture and support. Of course, I want to see more conversations, but I also want to see more action – building on events such as our forthcoming TechNExt Festival so our members and prospective members can see the benefits of being part of Dynamo."
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