Property and development membership organisation Developing Consensus has appointed Sandra Manson as its new chair.
Ms Manson, who is senior director at national development consultancy Pegasus Group, has already played an active role in the organisation as head of the planning steering board. Over the last two years she has worked to connect the group’s private sector businesses with local planning teams to foster collaboration and a positive dialogue between the two. Ms Manson succeeds Adam Serfontein, who led Developing Consensus since its creation over 10 years ago.
She said: “I’m delighted to take on this role at such a pivotal time for the region and must thank Adam for all his hard work since Developing Consensus began in creating a voice for business in a constructive way. I look forward to continuing in that role, with the support of the steering group and the fantastic member companies. With the region on the cusp of a devolution deal finally crossing the line, it is more important than ever that we work collaboratively across the region, across sectors, to optimise the opportunities for all.”
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Muckle LLP has strengthened its charities and social enterprise team with a new senior appointment.
Samantha Pritchard joins the team as a partner with over 13 years of experience in the charity and not-for-profit sector, to boost the team led by charity law experts Joanne Davison and Chris Hook.
Based in the North East since 2012, Ms Pritchard has developed much of her charity practice expertise in the region and is a member of the Charity Law Association. She has acted as a trustee for a number of charities, regularly providing training to trustees and senior management. Her practice includes large national and regional charities, membership organisations, community organisations, social enterprises, education providers and other service providers. She will also support commercial businesses and public sector organisations in their interactions with charities as part of the joined-up approach Muckle is known for.
Ms Pritchard said: “I’ve had such a warm welcome since I’ve joined and I’m excited to work amongst people who are so enthusiastic about advising the sector and who understand the complexity that involves. The UK charity sector is vast and plays a pivotal role in society, especially in the current climate. I’m looking forward to working with the team here to continue to grow the charities practice and to provide joined-up support across the wide range of legal services charities need in this region and beyond.”
Real estate advisor Savills has appointed Iain Hudson as director of a new building and project consultancy service at the firm’s Newcastle office. Mr Hudson joins Savills from Cushman & Wakefield, where he worked for over 22 years. He has extensive experience having overseen numerous high profile projects across the region, with expertise in design and contract administration.
He said: “It’s a pleasure to be joining Savills Newcastle and to add further to the team’s growing range of services. The Savills building and project consultancy team are highly regarded across the industry and I look forward to working alongside them to establish our new presence here in Newcastle.”
Neil Morton, head of Savills Newcastle, added: “Our Newcastle office has grown substantially in 2022, and it’s a pleasure to round off the year by welcoming Iain as our new building consultancy director. We look forward to expanding the team further in 2023 as our presence in Newcastle continues to grow, bringing our increasingly extensive offering to our clients throughout the region and further afield.”
Automotive manufacturer TMD Friction has appointed Michael Hoggart as new UK plant manager.
Mr Hoggart was previously employed at Gestamp in Newton Aycliffe as operations manager and has over 32 years of experience. He started out as a robotics and welding apprentice before undertaking additional qualifications to allow him to move into supervisory and management roles. His role at Gestamp has seen him travel around the world, including a secondment to the company’s new plant in Tennessee in the United States to support its launch.
He said: “I am very much looking forward to getting to grips with this exciting new role. I was fortunate enough to spend quite a bit of time on site in the weeks leading up to my official start date, so that gave me the chance to learn more about the challenges and pressure points within the business, but also what the opportunities are.”
Newcastle law firm Hay & Kilner has awarded promotions to two members of its team in recognition of their expertise and contribution to the practice’s success. Lauren Hall has been promoted to partner within the clinical negligence department, while Tom Clarke has been made an associate within its employment law team.
Ms Hall joined Hay & Kilner as a trainee 12 years ago and has developed her clinical negligence specialism as she worked her way up through the firm. She is also chair of Hay & Kilner’s employee mental health and well-being committee. Mr Clarks qualified as a solicitor in 2018 after completing his training contract at Hay & Kilner and advises employer clients on a full range of HR and employment law matters, including disciplinary and grievance issues, employment tribunals, strategic planning and employment documentation. He also provides training to business owners and managers on topics including equal opportunities, conducting disciplinary processes and mental health in the workplace.
Jonathan Waters, managing partner at Hay & Kilner Law Firm, said: “Lauren and Tom have proven themselves to be hugely impressive practitioners who deliver on their clients’ expectations time and time again. They are both very highly-regarded members of our team and thoroughly deserve the recognition that their promotions provide.”
Robson Laidler Accountants has made a new appointment to its business advisory team as it gears up for further growth. Dan Adamson, 30, has taken on the role as business advisor having previously worked at the firm, which has offices in Newcastle and Chester le Street, for the past three years as an accountant in the business innovation department.
He has made the switch to advisory following his recognition and passion for solving client issues and making referrals for more strategic cashflow planning and forecasting.
He said: “I am passionate about helping business to succeed, that’s what drives me, and I am so fortunate that Robson Laidler has provided me with an opportunity to grow and develop my career with relative autonomy, supported by an ambitious and highly capable team. I really enjoy being asked unique questions and scenarios from clients about their business performance, forecasting trends, staffing and operational queries and then being able to help solve them and make decisions to help them future proof.”
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