North East tech consultancy Test Driven Solutions has appointed new managing director Jamie Jefferson.
Having previously served as the organisation’s finance director, Mr Jefferson brings more than 10 years of commercial and finance experience to the role. The appointment comes as Test Driven Solutions continues its expansion across the UK, Europe and North America.
Mr Jefferson said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to continue to work alongside Sam and the TDS team in my new role, supporting the organisation in achieving client goals. I look forward to further strengthening TDS’ position as the North East’s leading tech consultancy, as well as maintaining the organisation’s reputation for its positive workplace culture.”
Sam Clark, founder of the company, added: “I am delighted to give Jamie the managing director role at TDS and it’s nothing short of what he deserves. He’s been an integral part of the business. His progression within the business made it a very easy decision for me to make. I fully believe there is no one better to help guide the business to the next level.”
Avison Young has appointed Chris Armstrong as a senior building surveyor in its Newcastle office.
He joins following nine years with Faithful + Gould and has extensive experience of delivering building surveying services, construction project management, asset management and contractor engagement for a broad range of clients. He will be involved with all aspects of building surveying and project management on major developments, throughout the North East and beyond.
He said: ”Avison Young is delivering high profile and cutting-edge developments across the region. The opportunity to be involved on these projects and add value from my previous experience is an extremely exciting prospect.”
Gordon Hewling, principal and managing director at Avison Young, Newcastle, added: “This is a further key appointment for the expanding office and within our extremely busy Building and Project Consultancy team. The office holds a strong position in the market, providing strategic real estate advice to both the public and private sectors.”
Newcastle based O.agency has taken on several new people following a string of new client wins across both its consumer and corporate teams.
Ten new roles include a newly appointed head of people and a marketing and business development manager, PR account managers, account execs and graduate interns, who will be joining its in-house Ocademy grad programme in the autumn. The agency will also be recruiting further hires into its social media team over the coming months.
O was awarded regional agency of the Year 2022 at December’s North East Marketing Awards, in recognition of its strong, sustainable growth, its future leadership programme and its inclusive and thriving agency culture.
Kirsty Ostell, who was appointed managing director last year said: “Creating even more opportunities for our team and new roles for the creative sector in the North East is something we’re extremely passionate about. Our mission is to help as many young people as possible have a great start to working life and build ambitious careers in the region and so we’re investing even more in our training and development programmes over the coming year led by our new head of people.”
A family-owned North East car dealership group has added one of the regional motor retail industry’s best-known names to its senior leadership team.
David Guy has joined Wingrove Motor Company as its new group commercial director and is now part of the directorship team. He brings almost three decades’ industry experience to his new role, the last decade of which was gained as head of business for Stratstone Tyneside BMW. Wingrove Motor Company, which is set to celebrate its centenary in two years, operates the official North East franchises for global brands Citroën, Peugeot and DS, and employs around 85 people across its Silverlink, Newcastle West Road and Cramlington dealerships and service centres.
Mr Guy said: “From my first meeting with the Wingrove management team, it was clear that there was an exciting opportunity to join a dealership with real growth ambitions and that the experience and insight I could offer were exactly what they were looking for. Their professional approach and clear strategy for the business really ignited my interest and got me excited about rising to a new challenge, while the family values and ethos on which Wingrove’s success has been built offers the firmest of foundations for its future development.”
Accountancy firm Mullen Stoker has promoted client manager Faye Allan as its fourth director, joining founding directors Neil Mullen and Gary Stoker along with appointed director Stephen Green.
Ms Allan has worked at the Peterlee firm since 2011, joining as an accountant before studying to be a chartered tax advisor. She will support her Mullen Stoker colleagues with technical issues and undertake internal reviews of the company’s systems and processes to see where improvements can be made.
She said: “I am relishing the challenges that will come with the role, and also putting my own stamp on the business to support our continued growth. We recently opened a second office in South Shields so I will be spending some of my time there, working with our dedicated accountant Christine Griffiths to promote the Mullen Stoker brand across the South Tyneside area. It’s a real honour for me to join Gary, Neil and Stephen as directors of the business at what is a hugely exciting time for us.”
Gary Stoker added: “Faye is a respected and talented member of the team and it was clear from early on in her time with us that she had the potential to be director material.
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