Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Sophie Coulthard & Andrea Potts, Doxford Hall

Doxford Hall in Northumberland, has recently made two appointments to its sales office team.

Sophie Coulthard, from Bedlington, and Andrea Potts, from Alnwick have been appointed as wedding and events co-ordinators for the venue.

Sophie, who holds a degree in Drama from the University of Sunderland, joins Doxford from Linden Hall Hotel where she held the position of wedding and sales co-ordinator.

Sophie said: “Doxford Hall is a wonderful privately owned venue and I am looking forward to working with the dedicated team in one of the most luxurious and sought after event venues in Northumberland. We want to make every civil ceremony, wedding reception and event an unforgettable experience.”

Andrea joins Doxford Hall straight from Leeds Metropolitan University where she has just completed a degree in Criminology.

Like Sophie, Andrea has a wealth of hospitality work experience, having worked for venues such as Newton Hall and Revolution.

Andrea said: “My aim at all times is to provide the highest level of personal service to ensure a perfect occasion is individually tailored for the customer. Doxford Hall is a very special place and I am especially looking forward to helping to organise a range of outdoor summer events on behalf of the hotel.”

Mark Booth, general manager at Doxford Hall, said: “We are delighted to have both Sophie and Andrea on board here at Doxford. They join our already busy sales team in our sixth year of business. We pride ourselves on attention to detail, quality and offer each person a tailor made service.”

Sean Langston, Flame Heating Spares

North East trade supplies firm Flame Heating Spares has appointed Sean Langston to run its new branch in South Shields

Sean has 15 years of experience in the industry, having started working for a nationwide organisation at the age of 17 as a warehouse assistant. By the age of 21, he was a manager, before becoming the firm’s North East network manager.

Flame has appointed Sean as its operations director for the newly-opened trade counter on the Rekendyke Industrial Estate.

The role includes Sean taking a financial stake in the business of the branch, something which is encouraged by Flame’s founder and Managing Director, John Savage.

Sean said: “I’ve known John through the industry for a long time and have seen him grow the business to three branches in three years. This is a very exciting opportunity for me to be a part of this business and to not only run a branch, but to have a stake in its success.

“To be able to do this in my home town is fantastic and I am very happy to be working with John and the team, including my dad, as the business gets established in South Shields.”

Simone Arcucci & Paul Bussey, Slaley Hall

County Durham luxury hotel Slaley Hall has appointed Simone Arcucci and Paul Bussey.

Simone Arcucci joins Slaley Hall as deputy general manager from Amigo Hotel in Belgium, where he held the position of Rocco Forte Hotels food and beverage director.

Simone said: “I have a strong food and beverage background so I am really looking to strengthen the team here at Slaley with my experience. We are really looking to grow on this side of our already successful business and take it to the next level.”

Paul Bussey has accrued a wealth of experience since completing his pProfessional Catering NVQ Level 1 & 2 at Darlington Technology College.

Paul joins Slaley Hall from Rockliffe Hall Hotel where he was awarded two AA Rosettes for The Orangery Restaurant.

Paul has also worked in the highly prestigious Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai where he held the position of Head Chef.

Paul has excelled in the culinary industry and has won awards such as Winner of the Unilever Food Solutions Senior Chef of the Year Competition 2012 for the Middle East.

Paul said: “I believe a great emphasis of a menu should be on locally produced ingredients to prepare food to the highest standards. My key aim will be to really cement Slaley Hall’s reputation as an amazing award winning place to come and eat, by working closely with what is already a first class team and tapping into Simone’s experience.”

Grant MacKenzie, general manager of Slaley Hall, said: “We are delighted to have both Simone and Paul on board at Slaley Hall. We are continually looking at ways to invest in the hall, to really drive it to the next level and to retain its position as number one destination hotel in the area, and we are keen to develop the culinary offerings to our guests.”

Mark Morley, Niven Architects

Mark Morley has joined the management team at Darlington-based family firm Niven Architects.

He follows the appointment of senior consultant Peter Hodges who joined as a director as the practice.

A senior architect with some of the North-East’s premier schemes under his belt, Mark will help the management team oversee a varied portfolio of significant projects including, in Darlington, an in-patient unit at the town’s St Teresa’s Hospice, a major cinema and restaurant development next to the Town Hall and a much-needed housing scheme on the edge of town, as well as projects in Newcastle and Durham.

Director Simon Crowe said: “Mark’s key, strategic appointment is the first of a number of design roles that we hope to make. We have developed a business plan aligned with current and prospective workload that will see the practice grow in stature and turnover during the next three years.

“Mark’s role is fundamentally important to the growth plan as he brings with him a wealth of experience in design and project delivery alongside a very strong and respected relationship with key clients.”

Mark said: “It’s an exciting time for the practice with Niven currently involved in a number of really interesting projects. The practice is at the cutting edge of the newest advancements in our industry with great emphasis on BIM technologies and it has recently completed a two-year Knowledge Transfer Programme with Teesside University.

“I’m particularly looking forward to becoming involved in Niven Architect’s new company, BIM Strategies Ltd, which provides services to consultants, clients and the manufacturing supply chain.”

Tracey Lilburn, Maften Hall

Experience leisure manager Tracey Lilburn has been appointed to lead the team at the new Aqua Vitae Spa at Matfen Hall Hotel.

The privately owned 53-bedroom country house hotel recently unveiled the results of a £300k redevelopment of its spa and leisure facility, which will be managed by Tracey.

In a career spanning 20 years Tracey, from Newcastle, has not only worked for some of the region’s most prestigious venues but has also won a string of national awards, for performance and training.

Tracey, who is a former lecturer at Newcastle College, will now lead a 21-strong team tasked with providing the highest standard of service at the Aqua Vitae spa and promoting it to residents and non-residents alike.

She said: “It really is an exceptional spa and I aim to bring all my experience and training to bear, in making it the region’s foremost spa and leisure facility,”

General manager Bernard Bloodworth: “The Aqua Vitae spa is undoubtedly a jewel in Matfen Hall’s crown,

“So it is only fitting that we have one of the industry’s most experienced professionals at its helm.”

John Seager, Siglion

Siglion has appointed a chief executive to drive forward its ambitious £100 million-plus programme to transform Sunderland.

John Seager joins the Sunderland City Council and Carillion joint venture company, for which Igloo Regeneration is providing development, asset and fund management, from his post as a director of UK Land Estates.

During his 13 years with UKLE he was responsible for the development of schemes at Team Valley, Newburn Riverside and Newcastle City Centre and worked on a number of public-private partnerships which will be a key element of Siglion’s remit.

Mr Seager will be responsible for managing the development of five major sites including the former Vaux Breweries site, Seaburn and Chapel Garth.

He will also oversee the asset management of Siglion’s investment portfolio to enhance its value and generate social, economic and environmental benefits for the city.

Mr Seager said: “The post’s appeal was the opportunity to have such a huge impact on Sunderland.

“Some key, high profile sites are part of the portfolio and my experience to date means I can contribute to their transformation.

“It’s also a real opportunity to do something that will be personally rewarding. I’m aware of Igloo’s track record, core values and the way they approach development. It’s really inspiring stuff.”

“The intention is that development is funded by the private sector and we are positioning Siglion to attract investment into Sunderland.

“Siglion is a forward-thinking partnership. Our approach is underpinned by sustainable development and good design to create a platform for new jobs, to boost the local economy and have a successful impact on the environment in the long term.

“Our approach is very much about involving the community and taking that input into the development process. The people at Siglion live and work in the region and we have a vested personal interest in seeing the success of these projects for many years to come.”

Ken Campling, Bannatyne Fitness

Bannatyne Fitness has appointed Ken Campling as its new Finance Director.

A qualified accountant, Ken brings a strong retail background and exceptional commercial acumen to the role.

Ken has overseen the growth of several well-known brands including Williams Music and the Clinkard Group and most recently was head of Finance at Delima Limited, part of the Sports Direct Group

Ken Campling said: “I am pleased and proud to be joining such a successful and prestigious company.

“Having worked for Sir Tom Hunter and Mike Ashley I am well-trained to be able to work for a ‘Dragons Den’ entrepreneur! Duncan and the management team have made me very welcome and I am looking forward to a very positive future.”

Duncan Bannatyne said: “Ken is well versed in the consumer sector and has an excellent track record of delivering profits, managing acquisitions and growth and streamlining and improving accounting systems.

“He will be an excellent addition to the senior team at Bannatyne’s.”

Polly O’Malley, Ward Hadaway

Polly O’Malley has been appointed as an associate to law firm Ward Hadaway.

Ward Hadaway, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, has appointed Pollyto advise on a wide spectrum of employment issues, from recruitment and pre-retention matters through to dismissal as well as contested tribunal cases and issues arising from the enforcement of post termination restrictive covenants.

She has particular expertise in the education sector where her experience includes advising on appraisal and performance management, admissions and appeals, exclusions and Special Education Needs issues.

Polly also provides legal advice on restructuring and redundancy, performance-related pay, national terms and liaising with trade unions on collective bargaining issues.

Polly said: “It is great to be joining Ward Hadaway. Much of my work is about helping schools and academies of all types deal with employment and HR issues so it is terrific to be joining a firm with such a strong reputation for its employment and education expertise.

“I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in helping schools and academies deal with a wide range of different issues.”

Graham Shaw, partner and head of education at Ward Hadaway, said: “We are delighted to welcome Polly to the team.

“Polly is highly respected by schools and academies and so her energy, experience and expertise will be of great benefit to the growing list of schools and academies we work with.

“Her recruitment, together with our existing team, gives us real strength in depth when it comes to employment and HR issues right across the education sector.”

Jennifer Jordan, The TTE Technical Training Group

The TTE Technical Training Group has appointed Jennifer Jordan to a newly-created role in its sales team to support the company’s international development.

Jennifer has been appointed as technical sales assistant and will work alongside TTE’s sales managers to establish and maintain relationships with key players in industry.

Jennifer, from Middlesbrough, joins after graduating from Sheffield Hallam in 2013 and is fluent in the latest marketing strategies and event management strategies.

TTE, which is based in Middlesbrough, delivers skills development programmes in the engineering, oil & gas, process, chemical and manufacturing sectors as well as designing, operating and managing technical training facilities overseas in locations such as Azerbaijan, Ghana and Oman.

Jennifer said: “TTE is a well-respected company with a reputation second to none. I am extremely proud to have been chosen to continue the quality work it does and look forward to applying the skills I’ve acquired at university.”

Alan Wallace, UK & European technical training manager at TTE, said: “Jennifer will be a real asset to the company and is already an integral member of our team.

“It’s great to be able to welcome such a young talent with fresh ideas who will help expand our reach.”

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