Marketing services partner Different Narrative has hired new talent to spearhead its expansion plans for 2022.
Aoife Forbe, becomes the new head of PR, with 20 years’ experience in both in-house and agency experience. Also joining is Patrick O’Kane, a PR and content manager, who has worked across the journalism and PR sector for more than 10 years.
Kathryn Bradshaw joins as financial controller, Stephanie Stobbs joins the client services team, while Beth Richardson becomes the firm’s newest designer. Creative copy lead Sue Storey returns to the team after two years as UKI brand writer for Sage software, where she won the Grand Prix and Best Use of TikTok at last year’s B2B Marketing Awards.
CEO Kieron Goldsborough said: “Our merger has enabled us to enhance our client delivery, which in turn will allow us to drive new business potential forward. The appointments we are announcing will play an integral role in our plans for the business over the next 12 months and we are bringing together the best of North East talent.”
Samuel Knight International has announced the appointment of Phillip Fleetham as business development director.
Mr Fleetham joins with more than 20 years’ experience in the energy sector and will head up the newly created global projects division, which will support the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of onshore and offshore windfarms. Headquartered in Newcastle, the group has grown to include offices throughout the UK in London, Wales and Bristol.
Mr Fleetham said: “I have watched the growth of Samuel Knight in recent years and have been impressed with its strong reputation. I have known Steve for a number of years and was initially approached to work within the company some time ago, but like everything in life, timing is key. Now, felt the right time to step in and help drive forward Samuel Knight Projects.”
Port of Tyne has appointed Ian Finch as commercial director for new business. Mr Finch’s career began in the metrology, statistical process control and industrial automation sectors, where he developed automation solutions for food, beverage, automotive, mining, metals, utilities and fast moving consumer goods industries. In 2008, he joined Narec, the National Renewable Energy Centre, now part of ORE Catapult, where he managed major projects to decarbonise social housing and to develop energy masterplans for local authorities.
He said: “I am delighted to be joining Port of Tyne at this incredibly exciting time for the energy sector. The Port is positioned to support the renewables industry, from construction to operations and maintenance facilities for offshore wind farms, and is already building a world-class base for SSE Renewables’ & Equinor’s Dogger Bank Wind Farm O&M facility. As a resident of the North East, I am passionate about supporting the creation of a vibrant clean energy cluster and more high-quality jobs.”
National law firm Weightmans has appointed Paul Hughes as a partner in its Newcastle office.
Mr Hughes has joined the insurance team with the aim of establishing and growing a personal injury team for the firm in the North East, having previously held the role of head of personal injury at Thomas Miller Law. He joins with more than 30 years’ experience in dealing with injury and other insurance claims on behalf of insurers, self-insured companies and their representatives.
He said: “There is a real opportunity at Weightmans to build a leading personal injury team in the North East and I am excited to utilise my previous experience to help achieve this. Personal injury is a growing sector, particularly with more people returning back to work full-time following the pandemic, so I am expecting demand for our services to be high over the coming months.”
Newcastle manufacturer Advanced Adhesives has expanded its technical sales team with Andrew Bates. Mr Bates will provide sales support and technical service across Advanced Adhesives’ range, both internally and externally, working alongside Advanced’s other solutions providers.
He said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for me, and I am delighted to join the team at Advanced. As a manufacturer, Advanced can give me more involvement in adhesive applications testing rather than in my previous role where I was just advising on and distributing adhesive products.”
Graham Crozier, technical director, added: “We’re super pleased to welcome Andrew to the team. With his technical experience, attention to detail and understanding of the market, he will be a great asset to the business, not only in helping to provide solutions and support to our customers, but in helping us to build on our achievements to date and take our technical support and expertise to a new level.”
Anglo Scottish Asset Finance has announced the appointment of Charlotte Enright as business development manager and sustainability lead.
Ms Enright, who has previously worked at a top North East energy company supporting businesses looking to achieve a carbon-neutral status, has been brought in to be at the forefront of a new standard for sustainable investing.
She is looking to build a portfolio of clients keen to switch to more efficient ways of operating, including investment in electric vehicles and energy efficient machinery.
She said: “Sustainability is, arguably, the biggest challenge UK business faces, providing huge opportunity for those that address operational inefficiencies face-on. We are still at the beginnings of the move to making business sustainable and those that act ahead of their competitors will benefit hugely.”
