The North East LEP has appointed Colin Hewitt and Phil Redman as new non-executive director board members.
Mr Hewitt is a senior partner of Ward Hadaway LLP and a lawyer with 40 years’ experience covering both commercial and public sector work. Mr Redman is area director of Mott MacDonald and brings a wealth of business experience.
Lucy Winskell, chair of the North East LEP, said: “Both Colin and Phil are highly-respected business leaders with a strong connection to the North East and a deep understanding of our economy.
"They are incredibly motivated and driven to make our area an even better place to live, work and stay. We are confident our new board members will play a significant role in our mission to create more and better jobs, so everyone has the chance to thrive. We are delighted to welcome Colin and Phil to the team.”
Big Four business advisor KPMG has made five partner promotions in its Newcastle office, growing its support for the businesses, organisations and communities in the North East.
Earlier this year Michelle Wilson was promoted to corporate tax partner and head of tax for the Newcastle office. At the same time, Dean Harris was promoted to partner following 30 years working with global businesses to ensure tax compliance and to overcome governance challenges.
Michael Wilson has been promoted to partner and leads the firm’s employment solutions, tax and people services in the North. Brian O’Neill becomes a tax partner focusing on large international and complex business groups, and Susan Dunlop, who has more than 15 years’ experience within KPMG’s transaction services team, has been promoted to partner and will continue to support dealmaking across the North East and Scotland. The five appointments take the total number of partners at KPMG’s Newcastle base at Quayside House to eight.
Ian Beaumont, office senior partner for Newcastle, said: “These promotions reflect that commitment to the region, the hard work and technical knowledge and skill of those becoming partners, but also the incredible support and resilience of the wider 170-strong client-facing team we’ve built on the banks of the Tyne."
Seriös Group, the Newcastle-based data analytics and testing consultancy, has appointed Chris Stavers and Mark Fishwick as board members.
Mr Stavers joins as sales director, having previously held roles at Darchem Engineering, Elfab Limited and Carrs Engineering, and Mr Fishwick joins as service delivery director, after previously providing the firm with consultancy support.
Lee Rorison, chief executive officer at Seriös Group, said: “The creation of these two key director roles is designed to support our continued expansion.
"We have plans for several other new roles and have started an aggressive recruitment drive to ensure we have the right mix of skills and experience to maintain our growth trajectory.”
Silk Family Law has welcomed new members Hannah Craven and Gabbie Clasper, taking the team to 25.
Ms Craven joins the team as a new solicitor, and Ms Clasper will be joining as an associate, having previously worked for Emsleys.
Margaret Simpson, partner, said: “It is a genuine pleasure to welcome both Gabbie and Hannah to the team, as we grow the business and continue to develop our offices in Newcastle, North Yorkshire and Leeds.
"Both are bringing a wealth of experience to the team, and it is wonderful to have them on board.”
The British Business Bank has appointed Shaun Fooy as senior manager for the British Business Bank’s UK Network in Tees Valley. The new appointment sees Mr Fooy extend his existing role in improving access to finance for small businesses in the North.
He has held the role in the North East for four years, and will now play an important role in improving access to funding and financial support across the wider region.
He said: “I’m delighted to have extended my role from the North East of England to include the Tees Valley region, and am confident that this expansion will help reduce the imbalances in access to finance on a greater scale.
“I’m looking forward to helping create a more diverse finance market for smaller businesses in the area, encouraging them to seek the finance that is best suited to their needs. Giving businesses the guidance they need now is vital in helping them reach their potential in the years to come, especially with economic headwinds ahead.”
Newcastle-based Moja, an agency working with business owners and senior executives to raise their profiles, has appointed Rachael Cook as operations director.
The appointment marks the third time Ms Cook has worked with Moja Founder and CEO, Sophie Milliken.
She said: “I’ve admired Moja since it launched and have been waiting for the right opportunity to join this dynamic team. Moja are really innovative within the region and you can see how much impact they are having already with their clients being spotted everywhere. My role will oversee operations ensuring high quality client care and delivery on work.”
Ms Milliken said: “I’m super excited to be working with Rachael again. Everyone who has worked with her knows her commitment to excellence and in this new role, she will be instrumental in ensuring our clients are well looked after.”
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