Independent property investment business MCM Group has welcomed Carolyn Ridley to the team as it continues to grow its portfolio.
Law graduate Ms Ridley has joined the Gateshead group from Britishvolt, and will support the firm’s management team as its newest executive assistant. After a decade working in retail at Fenwick, Ms Ridley, who studied at Northumbria University, made the move into wealth management at Brewin Dolphin, and is now set to support investment director Douglas Cranston in daily operations including property searches, creating and maintaining databases, property compliance and assisting in the acquisition of assets to grow the MCM portfolio.
She said: “I have worked in a variety of industries and am now looking to embark on a new chapter in my career that will provide progress and longevity in a North East company with strong social values. I am thrilled to be joining the company at such an exciting time and am grateful to MCM for the opportunity. I am looking forward to further develop my career within the inclusive and supportive environment the team provides.”
Mr Cranston added: “We’re delighted to welcome an executive assistant of Carolyn’s calibre to the team. With a fantastic track record of streamlining and maintaining processes to maximise efficiency, we look forward to seeing her thrive in the organisation over the coming years.”
Northern housing association Karbon Homes has appointed Gillian Roll as its new assistant director of strategy and insight.
Reporting directly to the executive director of growth and business development, she will lead on the development and implementation of Karbon’s group vision and strategy. She said: “I was inspired to join Karbon Homes due to its focus on its role as an anchor institution, placing customers and communities at the heart of its strategy. Karbon has a very strong reputation among regional stakeholders, as well as the sector more widely.”
Ms Roll has wide experience in the housing sector having spent nine years as the head of strategy at Home Group. Previous to that she worked in economic development, with experience in both the Regional Development Agency and Local Enterprise Partnership in the North East. She has also worked within local authority and voluntary sector organisations in the region and is currently a trustee of Citizens Advice Newcastle.
Property management specialist Kingston – the commercial arm of the Bernicia Group – has appointed Paul Carter as its new managing director.
Mr Carter succeeds Colin Ord as managing director, who will stay on at Kingston in a part-time capacity as business development director at the Newcastle business, a leasehold block and estate management firm which also runs residential estate management arm, Open Spaces, and estate and lettings agent, Living Spaces.
Mr Carter said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead Kingston as we take the business forward with such a strong team across all areas of the commercial business – Kingston, Open Spaces and Living Spaces. The aim is to push on with our growth as we move into new geographical areas, while continuing to provide excellent services to our clients and ensuring we stay as leaders within our industry. Our focus is on sustainable growth, and it is essential that we continue to develop and improve our service offering while keeping our clients and customers at the heart of what we do.”
Haines Watts has welcomed five new team members alongside seven internal promotions.
More than half of the promotions come from the tax incentives and reliefs team, including Jessica Brook who has been promoted to associate partner, joining the firm’s leadership team from a big four firm as an assistant manager. Going forward she will be overseeing the growth and development of the team.
The promotion comes alongside the appointment of Jamie McLellan, who has joined the North East-based team from another Haines Watts office. Elsewhere in the firm, there were senior promotions across the corporation tax, audit and marketing teams, whilst 10 new delegates joined the firm’s accredited talent development programmes.
Managing partner Donna Bulmer said: “We have launched our new graduate recruitment programme; had more team members join and graduate from our talent development programmes and welcomed more great people to our team. I’m particularly proud to welcome Jess to our leadership team - the fourth female leader to join our senior team this year. I am also incredibly proud to be celebrating all of our internal promotions which recognise all the hard work and personal development goals achieved by the team.”
Property expert James Lutynski has traded up to a new role with North East law firm Hay & Kilner.
Mr Lutynski has joined the Newcastle-headquartered practice as a chartered legal executive and brings more than a decade’s industry experience to his new position. He works with clients across a wide range of high-end residential property matters, including purchases of freehold and leasehold properties, new build purchases, shared ownership leases, transfer of equity and title rectifications.
He said: “The North East residential property market is remaining buoyant and we’re receiving a strong flow of instructions from clients right across the region. I’ve been aware of Hay & Kilner’s reputation within the residential property sector right through my career and it seemed like an excellent option for taking it to the next level.”
Claire Simmons, partner in the residential property team at Hay & Kilner, added: “James is a highly qualified practitioner with a great deal of experience of enabling clients to complete their property purchases as quickly and efficiently as possible. He’s a great addition to our growing team and we’re very pleased to have him on board.”
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