Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

David Curry, Tom Etterley and Chris Raby; Owen Pugh

North East civil engineering firm, which employs over 400 people from its five regional offices including its head office in Dudley, has made three key appointments.

David Curry from Sunderland has joined the business as general manager of Owen Pugh Construction where he is responsible for all aspects of the division’s work.

Further boosting Owen Pugh’s construction team, Tom Etterley from Rothbury, Northumberland has joined the company as managing quantity surveyor where he is responsible for overseeing all of the commercial and contractual aspects of the business.

Chris Raby from Seaham in County Durham has also joined the company as general manager at HCS Drain Services, Owen Pugh’s drain services division.

He has overall responsibility for the expanding business which employs 49 people between its Stockton and Blaydon premises.

John Dickson, chairman of the Owen Pugh Group, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Chris, David and Tom to the business, all of whom have a wealth of talent and experience and who are proving to be valuable additions the senior management team.”

Jonathan Yates and Joe Phelan, Ward Hadaway

Law firm Ward Hadaway, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, has recruited associate Jonathan Yates and solicitor Joe Phelan.

Jonathan deals with all aspects of property transactions with a particular emphasis on acting for commercial lending institutions on property finance transactions.

He advises a range of high street lenders as well as borrowers ranging from private individuals to PLC companies.

Recent transactions include acting on behalf of funder clients in relation to taking security over a £14 million portfolio of garden centres, an office building with a market value of £16 million and a £13 million distribution centre.

specialises in property finance, commercial property and landlord and tenant work and acts for clients ranging from individuals to plc banks.

He has advised on a wide range of matters including the refinancing of residential and commercial property portfolios, the refinancing of an industrial estate, retail development financing and lease arrangements.

Simon Errington, partner and head of Property Services at Ward Hadaway, said: “It is terrific to be able to welcome Jonathan and Joe on board.

“Their experience and expertise will add further strength in depth to the property finance team as instructions and enquiries continue to rise from clients as the revival in the property industry continues.

“We have seen a marked rise in work from both lenders and borrowers in the property finance sphere as the appetite for investment and development rises and the recruitment of Jonathan and Joe will be of great benefit to our clients going forward.”

Wendy Benson, Seaham Hall

Five star hotel, Seaham Hall Hotel and Spa, has appointed Wendy Benson as director of sales and marketing.

Wendy, from Consett, has worked in the hospitality sector for more than 25 years and joins Seaham Hall from nearby Rockcliffe Hall, where she held a similar position for almost six years.

In her new position at Seaham Hall Hotel she will be responsible for identifying and pursuing new revenue streams and managing partnerships with a variety of corporate clients.

Wendy said: “I am delighted to join Seaham Hall during this exciting post refurbishment time and I am looking forward to leading the sales and marketing efforts at this prominent five star hotel and spa,”

“I am proud to be part of the dynamic team now on board and know that my passion and drive will contribute to its future success.”

Ross Grieve, Seaham Hall Hotel’s general manager, said: “Wendy’s experience of five star hotels and her excellent reputation within the industry will make her a valuable asset to the team and we are delighted she is joining us.”

Viv Stephenson, Stagecoach North East

Viv Stephenson, a graduate from Windermere in the Lake District, has been appointed as assistant operations manager at Stagecoach North East.

Viv Stephenson is based at the Walkergate depot and joins the team as part of the company’s Graduate Training Programme, where she has just started her second year in training.

As assistant operations manager, Viv will oversee the daily running of the depot as she progresses with her training and development, whilst receiving support from a dedicated mentor.

Viv said: “I hadn’t really thought about working in the transport industry but I knew that I wanted to be part of a successful company and one that is interesting, and Stagecoach certainly fitted the bill,”

“Of all the areas covered by the two year course, for me operations is the most exciting, which is why I am very much looking forward to my role here in Newcastle and to further develop my skills and experiences of running a bus depot.

“The people I have worked with at Stagecoach are some of the best I have ever met and they are a very welcoming company. I certainly hope to be able to progress within the organisation and to become an Operations Manager in the future.”

John Ward OBE DL, Newcastle Theatre Royal

Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced the appointment of its first ever Life President, with retiring trustee John Ward OBE DL taking on the role.

A former regional director of Barclays Bank, based in Newcastle, John first became involved with the Theatre Royal in 1988, when he joined as a Trustee.

During the past 25 years, John has served spells as Vice-Chair and Chair of our Finance and General Purposes Committee, but probably his most telling contribution was the part he played in the acquisition of the former Barclays Bank premises in Market Street.

John said: “My Grey Street office at Barclays overlooked the theatre and I really enjoyed my theatre-going visits, so when I was asked to join them as a Trustee I was delighted.”

“I was really delighted to be asked and it is a true honour to accept the position, at somewhere that I consider to be one of the most important cultural institutions in the North East. I feel greatly favoured and proud, particularly as this is the first time the Theatre has appointed a Life President.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .