Member Article

This week’s North East appointments

Chris Dinning & Anne-Marie Bailey, r//evolution

r//evolution, an award-winning North East-based integrated brand consultancy, has announced a series of appointments and promotions at its office in the Northern Design Centre.

Chris Dinning joins the digital division of the company in the role of Lead Developer. Having worked in the industry for over seven years, Chris is an accomplished front and backend developer.

As well as building websites and applications for clients, Chris’ role will also see him oversee r//evolution’s digital team, acting as project manager and liaising face-to-face with clients in order to deliver a first-class service.

Commenting on his appointment, Chris, said: “Working at r//evolution is an exciting opportunity to get involved with cutting edge projects that not only deliver tangible benefits to customers, but are best practice in our industry and award-winning too.

“Developing the ground-breaking Virtual Lumiere app is testament to the skill of the digital team at r//evolution; I’m looking forward to being part of it and tackling the challenges of similar projects.”

The integrated brand communications consultancy has also announced the promotion of Anne-Marie Bailey from PR Manager to Head of Communications and Content.

Since winning the accolade of ‘Outstanding Young Communicator’ at last year’s CIPR North East’s PRide Awards, Anne-Marie has continued to grow the PR arm of the business, solidifying long-term relationships with existing clients as well as winning new contracts to provide marketing communications services to businesses in the private and public sector in the North East and beyond.

Of her promotion, Anne-Marie, said: “Having been with r//evolution for well over a year now, I was absolutely delighted to have been promoted to my new position – it’s a great company to work for with brilliant clients to work with.

“As a business we’re continuing to grow, and I’m excited to be part of the team responsible for developing the consultancy and the people working within the PR department, to provide an exceptional service for our clients that gets real results.”

Malcolm Welford, Alex Blylock & Philippa Ramsay; HLP

Howarth Litchfield Partnership (HLP) has recently announced the arrival of three new faces to its expanding team of architects and interior designers, two of whom have relocated from London and another who has decided to stay in the region after graduating with a Masters from Newcastle University.

Malcolm Welford and Alex Blylock have both left the capital to join HLP.

Recent Masters graduate Philippa Ramsay, originally from Hampshire, who has studied in the region for the past six years will also be starting her career with the award-winning practice.

Philippa will commence her Part 3 Architecture course next April at Newcastle University, marking the final stage of the journey to becoming a fully qualified architect.

While in London, Alex gained valuable experience on a range of projects including in the high-end residential sector working on Listed buildings, refurbishments and new build schemes in conservation areas.

Meanwhile, Malcolm, who is north east born and bred, has a more eclectic background having also studied glassware and ceramics. To date he has worked on international skyscrapers, train stations and office buildings.

Speaking about this latest arrival of talent, director, Neil Turner said: “As a creative and innovative practice it is important that we recruit people with a passion for what they do and a skills set which complements that of our existing team. All three of our new recruits demonstrated that passion and they each have something different to offer because of their experiences.

“I am even more delighted that we have been able retain and attract this new blood to the region. All too often newly qualified architects think they have to head south or they won’t get the opportunity to work on designing great buildings and that’s far from the truth as Alex, Malcolm and Philippa are starting to find out thanks to the scope of work we are able to give each of them.”

Rachael Shepherd, Service Connections

Rachael Shepherd has joined rapidly expanding utilities infrastructure specialist Service Connections to provide much needed administrative and customer services support.

The 33-year-old, from Morpeth, is joining the organisation after working in interior design and her family’s electrical business.

She joins Corbridge-based Service Connections just as turnover races through the £2m mark, with the business project managing and delivering gas, water, electricity and telecommunications connections in a fast growing construction sector.

Projects include two major mixed use regeneration projects for Yorkshire based Dransfield Properties in Hull and Sheffield, as well as residential projects across the North East.

These involve providing services to properties on developments owned by Arch, Derwentside Homes, Isos Housing Group and Northumberland County Council. Service Connections is also involved in schemes in Castleford, Manchester and Liverpool.

Rachael said: “When I came to Service Connections for interview it was clear that this was a busy, close knit team and an environment which could offer me the challenges I was seeking, in terms of working in a demanding yet positive office environment.”

Jacqueline Macaulay, who set up the company seven years ago with her husband Keith, added: “We have had to move quickly to recruit in order to meet demand and I am delighted to have found people with the right mixture of skills and aptitude to take on what can be demanding roles. We welcome Rachel to our team.”

Stuart Hamilton, Qubic Tax

Accountancy and tax firm Qubic Tax has recruited a leading North East Private Client lawyer in a new role to oversee and expand its growing trust and estates services.

Qubic, a national firm of chartered accountants with offices in Newcastle and London, specialises in providing tax advice to SME’s, high net worth clients and families throughout the UK.

Now in its eighth year of business, Qubic is pleased to welcome Stuart Hamilton as Director of Trusts and Estates to oversee its rapidly expanding trustee work.

Mr Hamilton has over 20 years’ experience in the areas of Trusts, Estate Planning and Inheritance Tax for business owners and high net worth individuals.

He said: “A large number of Qubic’s clients are referred from other professionals, including accountants, whose clients require more value added solutions than just traditional accountancy advice. Being able to work alongside other accountants, independent financial advisors and solicitors means we are able to offer clients expert advice that they really appreciate.”

His role will be to expand Qubic’s trustee services and enhance the inheritance tax services provided by the firm, as well as ensuring that Qubic’s offerings are at the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to expert trust and estate advice.

Mr Hamilton will be working out of Qubic’s Newcastle office on the Quayside, but meeting with clients across the UK and at Qubic’s London office in the Gherkin.

Ian Bousfield, Made For Trade

Made For Trade, a leading UK bi-fold door and conservatory supplier based in Teesside, have added to their expanding team with the appointment of an in-house Graphic Designer.

The in-demand company, who operate from Portrack Lane in Stockton on Tees, have seen a busy couple of years, establishing their name nationwide in the trade supply sector.

With experienced Graphic Designer Ian Bousfield now part of the Made For Trade team, the business hopes to consolidate their status as a force to contend with in the industry.

About his new role at Made For Trade, Ian said: “After discovering more about the company’s phenomenal growth in the industry, joining the team was an exciting prospect and I hope to develop the brand’s potential.”

Ian, who is from Middlesbrough, is currently revamping branding and marketing materials for Made For Trade’s growing product range. He has also overseen the creation of a brand new website to allow for clear and concise information about the products supplied and services provided.

With a background in both freelance and agency design as well as experience on commercial, B2B, and public sector projects, Ian hopes Made For Trade’s rebranding will increase interest in the company on a UK-wide basis.

He explained: “Brand and national recognition are high on the agenda and I feel my experience is a good fit for the business. We have new products and other exciting plans already on the horizon.”

Laurie Parker, BHSF

Healthcare insurance and employee benefits provider, BHSF, has strengthened its team in the North East of England with the appointment of employee benefits consultant, Laurie Parker. Laurie joins the not-for-profit organisation to support businesses in the region in efforts to boost employee engagement and take-up of workplace benefits.

Laurie, aged 52 from New Zealand, brings nine years’ experience working in the healthcare industry to his new role.

He also has 22 years of experience generating new B2B revenue, as well as particular expertise working with the SME sector.

Most recently, Laurie held the position of national sales manager for mutual healthcare provider, Benenden Health, where he increased B2B sales revenue by 31 per cent between 2012 and 2014.

Commenting on his new position at BHSF, Laurie Parker said: “It is an exciting time to be joining BHSF. In the current labour market it is essential for organisations to attract and retain the best talent, and to ensure employees remain engaged throughout their term of employment. As part of the BHSF team, I will be helping businesses large and small across the North East to meet this challenge.”

Brian Hall, managing director of BHSF Employee Benefits Limited, said: “We are thrilled that Laurie is joining the team. With many years spent working in the healthcare industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role.

“Although BHSF is a national organisation, it is having experienced consultants, who understand the challenges faced by businesses in their area, in place across the country, which has been essential to BHSF’s success and unprecedented growth in recent years.”

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