Law firm Hay & Kilner has made a major investment in its commercial property department by recruiting a leading lawyer in the field - and the rest of his expert team.
John Morgan has joined the Newcastle-headquartered firm as a partner, with five members of the team from his previous firm following suit.
Jennifer Boynton and Rebecca Brown have taken associate and solicitor roles with Hay & Kilner respectively, while Charlotte Munroe and Inna Ratsebarska have been recruited as paralegals. Lisa Day has also joined the firm as an executive PA.
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Mr Morgan has more than 15 years’ experience of working in practice as a commercial property specialist with leading North East law firms.
He said: “I’ve always been driven by building relationships with businesses and business owners across Newcastle and the wider North East, and my move to Hay & Kilner provides a great opportunity to renew my focus on all the opportunities that the buoyant, dynamic North East property market currently presents.
“When I first met with the firm’s management team, I felt there was a very strong synergy between the ways in which I work and their approach, and this perception has been reinforced since coming into my new post.”
The CBI has bolstered its regional team in the North East with the appointment of Matt Bratton as the new deputy regional director.
Mr Bratton has joined the CBI following several years working in economic development across the North East, including at the North of Tyne Combined Authority, and destination development and inward investment agency NewcastleGateshead Initiative.
He brings experience from a range of sectors including life sciences, tech and digital, culture and creative, and corporate services, and will support regional director Sarah Glendinning – alongside events manager Gemma Hagan and new administrator Billie Heppell – in championing the views of North East industry.
He said: “Having lived and worked in the region for over a decade, it is a privilege to join the CBI’s North East team and be able to speak on behalf of the incredible business community we have here. It’s been a turbulent few years for business with Covid-19, Brexit and the race to net-zero. 2022 has already proved a further challenge with the impact of Omicron on the workforce, supply chain issues and rising energy costs.
“I’ll be working closely with businesses across the North East and Cumbria to help them overcome the challenges they face but also to make the most of the opportunities in front of them too.”
North East law firm Muckle LLP has strengthened its disputes resolution team to meet the growing need for its services.
Matthew Brady has joined Muckle from Northumberland County Council, where he provided in-house advice in relation to contractual and procurement matters.
He said: “I am thrilled to have joined Muckle LLP’s top ranked dispute resolution team at an exciting team for the team. Being born and raised in the North East, I am keen to support and assist all companies and individuals within the region in relation to any dispute matter they have.
“What attracted me to Muckle was its reputation as a firm that is not only successful within the North East and wider region, but one that looks after its staff and clients and nurtures from within. The departments within Muckle are integrated and work hand in hand, and I really value the team approach.”
Susan Howe, partner and head of the dispute resolution team said: “Matthew is a fantastic asset to our team and has seamlessly settled into the firm. His background in the public sector really adds value to our team. We look for people that can bring specialisms when hiring and for Matthew, this is his wide network of contacts within the North East, and we look forward to seeing him grow within the firm.”
Associate solicitor Lydia McCaslin has been promoted to head of wills and probate at Mincoffs.
Ms McCaslin has worked in wills, probate and trusts since she qualified as a solicitor in 2005 and joined Mincoffs in 2018.
Janine Kennedy joins the wills and probate team as an associate solicitor. Qualifying as a solicitor in 2005, she specialises in the areas of wills, probate, court of protection and property trusts.
Both are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and Solicitors for the Elderly.
Ms McCaslin said: “It is an exciting start to the year for the team as I take on the head of department role and we welcome Janine who is already fitting in very well.”
Ms Kennedy added: “I am excited to have joined such a highly regarded and well established team and I am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Digital media provider Smart Media Group has appointed Julian Carter as commercial director, responsible for its Smart Digital Network.
The Smart Digital Network comprises 50 large format digital assets in the North, as well as 250 digital screens across the UK, that are owned by a tri-partnership JV between Smart Outdoor, Inkspot Wi-Fi in Edinburgh and Hill House Investment Group.
Mr Carter as previously held roles as managing director of a local radio business, as well as regional sales director of a national outdoor media company and led many national radio businesses.
Working alongside Smart Media Group CEO Mark Catterall and the other investors, he will develop plans for the business to fulfil its aspiration of becoming a top three UK digital out of home business.
He said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this tri-partnership as it continues its rapid digital expansion across the UK, with significant national roll out coming over hundreds of locations. Across the SDN, we already have 300 full motion screens across road, retail and convenience locations.’’
Newcastle digital branding and design agency Vida Creative has appointed Chris Stephenson as design director.
Mr Stephenson will oversee and manage the design team and creative projects, including work with Soccer Aid for UNICEF.
With experience working in a handful of agencies, both in and outside the region, he has specialised in a range of disciplines including brand experiences, marketing and advertising.
Vida Creative co-founder Henry Coggin said: “We’re thrilled to have Chris on board as our design director. With so many exciting projects underway and a strong project pipeline, we needed to introduce a skilled director to oversee the team, ongoing and future work.
“Chris has been a welcome addition to the team and we’re really proud to continue with our growth plans, including a shift into our own office space.
"Demand for design and branding work has continued to increase thanks to our agency gaining more presence across the UK, recommendations, and an award win last year. We’re lucky to support some fantastic local and UK wide businesses and we’re really looking forward to what 2022 has in store for us.”
