Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Allison Brown & Iain Loughran, Physiotherapy Matters

Occupational health specialists Physiotherapy Matters has strengthened its Gosforth-based team by recruiting two more experienced physiotherapist.

Senior physiotherapist Allison Brown has joined the seven-strong team from a number of NHS settings and occupational health units including Rolls Royce, Akzo Nobel and Northumbria Police.

Physiotherapy Matters in Gosforth recently relocated from Melton Park to Regent Centre doubling its therapy space to cater for growing demand, and is one of three clinics in the region – the others being in Newcastle’s city centre and Darras Hall.

Allison said: “Having worked in occupational health for over 20 years, I was very aware of and impressed by Physiotherapy Matters’ model and its expansion plans for the future. It is exciting to be part of a team with an excellent reputation and I’m inspired by the company’s vision to develop its practices and services across the North East.

“Physiotherapy Matters’ focus on client care and success is hugely important to me and I look forward to continuing and strengthening the quality of service we provide.”

Clinical specialist physiotherapist Iain Loughran also joined the team and enables the practice to offer Injection Therapy as a new service.

Iain has acquired extensive experience in a range of settings including NHS - both primary care and hospital services, occupational health - Northumbria Police, and sports injuries.

She said: “Physiotherapy Matters has always enjoyed an excellent reputation and with our recent relocation to larger premises in Gosforth, we feel now is the right time to expand the team further.

“With our onsite services becoming ever popular as well as demand within the clinics, it is vital that we start an aggressive recruitment drive to find the best people we can.

“We are delighted to be able to welcome professionals with Allison and Iain’s level of experience to join our team and play a key role in developing and maintaining the practices that have enabled us to enjoy a good name in the industry, in accordance with the company’s high standards of quality care. We are continuing our recruitment drive in line with demand for our services in this area.”

Mick Keeble & Oliver Plumpton, Perfect Image

North East-based IT consultancy, Perfect Image, has announced two top-level appointments, strengthening its senior management team within its Managed Services division.

Mick Keeble and Oliver Plumpton have both joined Perfect Image, based on the Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, to grow the Managed Services arm of the business, which specialises in delivering tailored solutions and services to organisations across the UK.

Andrew Robson, CEO of Perfect Image, said: “We have always offered our customers a true managed service, however, over the last 18 months, many of our customers who already benefit from this offering have suggested we take it to the wider market. The decision to grow and strengthen this division of the business has very much been customer-driven.

“I am delighted to welcome Mick and Oliver to the Managed Services team. With their combined experience and enthusiasm for a truly customer-centric approach to IT infrastructure and delivery, I have no doubt they will play integral parts in the further development of the division. “As a team we have ambitious growth targets for the coming year and I am looking forward to seeing Mick and Oliver’s contribution to the ongoing success of the business.”

Mick joins Perfect Image as head of Managed Services with over 20 years’ experience in the IT industry working for large firms across the region.

Adding to the team, Oliver joins the Managed Services division as head of Service Delivery.

With an MBA from Durham University, Oliver’s role will see him manage all elements of compliance and implement best practice processes within the arm of the business, while safeguarding the sustainability and scalability of the offering as Perfect Image continues to grow, ensuring customers receive a first-class service.

Mr Robson continued: “Managed Services can mean different things to different people – even in the IT industry. “Our Managed Services division offers a full portfolio and takes a full life-cycle approach to identifying the right solutions for each individual scenario. With Mick and Oliver’s knowledge and specialist skills, I’m sure this arm of the business will continue to go from strength-to-strength.”

Stephen Long, Forfusion Ltd

Tyneside-based Information Technology (IT) and business consultancy, Forfusion Ltd, has recruited a former British Army Warrant Officer, Stephen Long, to join the firm’s Project Management Office.

Originally from County Durham, Long, served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Canada, America, Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan during his 24 year military career. Long, 43, rose to the rank of Warrant Officer in 2011, specialising in Telecommunications and IT.

As part of his resettlement process, Long completed several specialist qualifications, including PRINCE2, ITIL, CCNA, Comp TIA Sec+ and CISSP.

Long will be in good company, as Forfusion has hired seven former military servicemen since its inception in 2007.

Long said: “I’m very excited to use the skills and knowledge that I’ve developed throughout my time in the army in a new and challenging environment in the private sector,”

In his new role at Forfusion, Long will work across the company’s Unified Communications & Collaboration, Data Centre & Virtualisation and Networking & Security Practices, as well as the specialist Government Secure Services division.

Steve Forrest, CEO of Forfusion Ltd said: “It’s great to have someone of Stephen’s calibre in our team,

“Stephen will help bolster Forfusion’s already sterling reputation for high quality IT services delivery.”

Yvonne Bell, Entrepreneurs’ Forum

Yvonne Bell, a director of Bell Truck and Van, has joined the board of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum to share her knowledge of marketing, succession and the competitive motor retail market.

After joining the family commercial vehicle business nearly 35 years ago, Yvonne worked her way through the company eventually becoming marketing director then leading the organisation alongside her sister Carolyn Bayne.

Yvonne, who began her career as a management trainee with the Co-op, said: “I’ve been a member of the Forum for many years and always found it to be a refreshingly youthful organisation. I’m delighted to be joining the board, sharing what I’ve learned over the years and being an ambassador for the amazing entrepreneurs among the members.

“I hope to bring a different perspective. I come from a slightly different industry to the other board members and from a family, franchise business with heritage, so I hope my experience will be useful in helping others.”

“It’s an entrepreneurial company and we’ve always pushed forwards together as a family. But we also have the benefit of other directors who are very financially aware and have driven us through many challenging times.”

Lauren Hillary, Hilary Florek PR

Lauren Hillary, 28, from Ponteland, has been appointed PR and Marketing Manager at Newcastle-based HFPR Ltd, after working for seven years in the London area.

In her new role, the Leeds Metropolitan University graduate will be responsible for managing the accounts of some of the region’s biggest names in the leisure and hospitality, financial and charitable sectors.

Lauren, who also has extensive events experience, said: “While I thoroughly enjoyed working and living down south it is wonderful to be back home in the North East.

“HFPR has an extensive and varied client base and I am looking forward to working with them.”

HFPR Ltd Managing Director Hilary Florek said: “Lauren’s detailed understanding and experience of the industry - and her superb communication skills – will make her a great asset to the business,”

Theanna De Sancho, Elringklinger (GB)

Automotive parts manufacturer ElringKlinger (GB) has appointed a new training officer at its Redcar site.

Theanna De Sancho, aged 24 and from Redcar, has joined the HR & Training team at Kirkleatham Business Park where she will be responsible for developing the company’s existing in-house apprenticeship programme and Year in Industry schemes.

Theanna previously oversaw 52 apprentices in her role of training coordinator at ICL Fertilizers, formerly Cleveland Potash near Staithes.

In her new role she will be responsible for working across ElringKlinger’s 200-strong workforce, developing employees within the company – from new starters to longer serving members of the team.

New recruit Theanna, said: “ElringKlinger (GB) is an ambitious company, which is continuously expanding and investing in its employees. I’m going to be working on a number of new projects within my role, coordinating training across all areas of the business. We have some exciting plans in the pipeline for 2015 so watch this space.”

ElringKlinger (GB) managing director Ian Malcolm said: “Whilst it is essential to seek the future engineering stars of tomorrow, we can’t ignore the importance of our existing manufacturing workforce here in the region, not just in the automotive sector. This is one of the key aims of Theanna’s appointment here at ElringKlinger (GB).

“The North East boasts a highly skilled, ageing employee base, which possesses invaluable expertise. Investing in them throughout their career before they reach retirement and finding innovative ways for their skills and knowledge to be shared with the next wave of recruits will pay off dividends in the future.”

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