Member Article

New Starts

KPMG’s Newcastle office has announced the promotion of three new directors in its audit, tax and legal services practices.

Paul Glendenning has worked at KPMG since 2000, and is an audit director with 14 years experience; Caroline Laffey is a director in KPMG’s employment tax team, and Hilary Stone heads up KPMG’s tax litigation practice.

Mick Thompson, KPMG’s Newcastle office senior partner, said: “We are delighted to be able to make these new appointments and congratulate all three. We depend on the high quality of our people, which is why we are committed to recognising and rewarding high performance in both core and specialist services.

“Nationally, KPMG announced the appointment of 29 new partners and 88 new directors from within the firm. The promotions come as KPMG also continues to recruit widely from outside the firm. In the UK, KPMG expects to recruit approximately 3,000 graduates and school leavers over the next three years and around 7,500 new hires over the next five years.

North East PR and marketing agency Karol Marketing Ltd has appointed a new account manager and a graduate intern.

Jenny Rowley joins the company with five years’ experience at Random House publishings, and Mike West joins as a recent graduate from Newcastle University.

Managing director, Stefan Lepkowski, said: “The additions to the firm will aid the growth and success of Karol Marketing. In Jenny we have someone with great experience and talent to drive the company forwards, and Mike has the capacity to become a real asset to the firm displaying a hunger for success and a desire to learn.”

Hartlepool’s Stadium Electronics has made significant investments to its team with the appointment of a Group Operations Director to the Board, a Business Unit Director for its Midlands-based manufacturing operation, and three new appointments to the commercial team.

Charlie Peppiatt and Ian Davies joinwhile the commercial team has doubled with the appointment of Lindsay Driscoll, Steve Henderson and Sinney Leung.

CEO Stephen Phipson, said: “In order to ensure we have the capability and capacity to fulfil our growth aspirations, we are seriously committed to investing in our people and facilities.

“As we focus on continued organic growth, the sales team appointments will drive new business in both our existing target markets and in emerging sectors such as green energy renewables and smart smart metering.”

Teeside graduate Michelle Blackett, has secured a permanent role with Stockton-based car parts manufacturer Nifco UK Ltd.

The 23-year-old from Hartlepool was enrolled on a knowledge transfer programme at the firm for just nine months, but impressed bosses so much she was offered the full time position.

Mike Matthews, managing director of Nifco UK, said: “Having Michelle on board has given us the opportunity to really gain an understanding into the markets we could look to enter and the types of products we are able to develop.”

Durham based Virtuoso Digital Marketing has welcomed three new recruits as they prepare to take on a number of large clients in the new year.

Throughout the year, Joanne Hutchinson, Sarah Storey and Glenn Worthington have joined the company.

Director Maureen Storey, said: “The business has grown exponentially in the last 12 months and it’s great to have such a talented team and the support of Gary to help drive it forward into new markets.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .