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This week's North East appointments

Your weekly fix of the latest appointments from across the North East.

Steve Scrimshaw, Siemens’ Power and Gas and Power Services Divisions

Steve Scrimshaw will return to his native North East to take up a new role as UK Country Lead for the Power and Gas and Power Services divisions at Siemens plc.

After almost 10 years leading the UK Rail arm of the business supplying and servicing trains in large scale procurements on Thameslink and Eurostar, Steve has helped to position Siemens as a leading player in the rail industry. Steve will now return to the region to help support and grow the energy division.

Based in Newcastle, Steve will have responsibility for 2,500 employees spread over ten UK sites, including three large manufacturing facilities. One of the sites in this portfolio is the location where Steve started his career with C.A Parsons aged 16.

This new role will see him take charge of the divisions that build, service and maintain power stations and turbines around the world.

He commented: “At Siemens we have a wide ranging portfolio of energy solutions, turbines and service packages to suit our customers’ needs.

“In this new role I’ll be focusing on how we continue to support our customers as well as how we can pioneer digital technologies and continue our on-going work on skills and talent development.

“I’m delighted to be leading the team at such an interesting time and look forward to the challenge ahead.”

Thomas Brunsnes, Cavu Corporate Finance

Thomas Brunsnes has been promoted to Director at Newcastle-based Cavu Corporate Finance, an independent corporate finance house launched in 2013

Cavu, which is based in City Quadrant, on Waterloo Street, specialises in the sale of businesses, acquisitions, and raising private equity and development capital.

In 2016 it completed some major deals including the £25m private equity investment into Fairstone Group and the sale of specialist oils business, Action Can, to US conglomerate CRC Industries.

The skills of former Assistant Director Thomas Brunsnes in these transactions, has seen him promoted to the position of Corporate Finance Director.

Founder Shawn Bone said: “Thomas was my first appointment on establishing the business and he has worked successfully with a range of clients in that time.

“Having been heavily involved with Fairstone on their £25m private equity raising, and with Fastflow on its acquisition strategy, Thomas is now more than ready for his new role. I am delighted to see him take the step up to Corporate Finance Director.”

Peter Nathan, Datum360

Civil engineer Peter Nathan has joined Middlesbrough-based Datum360 as the firm looks to extend its reach in the mining industry.

Peter will be helping to develop specific Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions that will deliver better Data and Information Management for the mining sector.

Peter’s experience in the mining sector stretches back over 20 years, and has seen him work with several Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, ICL and Anglo American mining projects.

Latterly he has been specialising in mining data and HSE software and this is where the story starts with Datum360.

Peter said: “I’m delighted to join the Datum360 team, there are some exciting developments ahead and I am looking forward to being part of them.

“The opportunity to combine my insights into HSE with my mining expertise offers our clients pragmatic ways to apply leading edge technology to long standing challenges in the industry.”

Stephen King, Go North East

Go North East has promoted rising star and marketing strategist Stephen King to head-up its Commercial and Retail division.

The move follows Mr King’s success as the company’s first-ever Head of Marketing - a position he took up in 2015.

His appointment is integral to plans to boost the commercial advantage of Go North East’s substantial ongoing investment programme which has totalled over £50m in capital spend in the last five years, including a £10.5m investment in upgrading services in 2016.

Stephen will oversee the firm’s commercial strategy and function which comprises network design, business development, retail and marketing communications along with stakeholder engagement.

Stephen, who has worked at Go North East since he was 16 and occupies a seat on its Senior Management Team, has pioneered a number of high profile retail and marketing initiatives and industry firsts in his career at the company to date.

Most recently, he launched the hugely successful £1 fare for everyone under 18 – a bold move which has made bus travel much more accessible and affordable to young people and significantly increased ticket sales.

Over the last two years, Stephen has developed a more strategic and structured approach to the company’s marketing and communications – which now has a strategy more akin to that of major national retailers than a regional bus company.

He said: “I’m looking forward to continuing to innovate and develop our services for our customers. Strengthening our wider role in supporting our region’s economy by working closely with political figures and the business community is also high on my agenda.”

Jennifer Wallis, High Force Research

North East-based chemical research and development company, High Force Research, has strengthened its Business Development team with the appointment of Newcastle University postgraduate Jennifer Wallis.

Jennifer, who recently completed her EngD having previously studied a chemistry degree and MPhil at Newcastle University, has spent the last four years studying the synthesis of fluorescent dyes for use as imaging agents, potentially to help identify cancer cells.

Her research, undertaken with EngD supervisor Dr Lee J. Higham of the School of Chemistry, has been co-funded through the EPSRC EngD programme and Durham-based High Force Research.

The appointment follows a period of ongoing success and expansion for High Force Research. Located in the heart of the North East chemical industry, the company opened a new 1018 sq. ft. laboratory at Redcar’s Wilton Centre in February 2016 after its existing Bowburn laboratory and office space became full to capacity.

Jenny commented: “I was very lucky to receive funding from High Force Research to support my EngD, which they co-funded alongside the EPSRC EngD programme. Without their support I would never have been able to continue with my research.

“As part of that EngD course, I undertook a number of business development modules, an area I find fascinating and as a result I became interested in pursuing a career in it - so when I heard High Force Research was looking to expand its Business Development team, I jumped at the opportunity!

“I’m delighted to have joined such a highly-regarded business at this exciting time, and look forward to working with Stella and the rest of the team to continue to grow the business further.”

Tom Mercer, Devine Chemicals

Durham-headquartered Devine Chemicals has taken on 26-year-old Tom Mercer as a new sales manager.

Tom, from Northwich in Cheshire, will be responsible for selling and promoting Devine Chemical Ltd’s products to new and existing customers, as well as developing and maintaining business partner relationships.

Prior to joining Devine Chemicals, Tom spent over three years working at pigment and chemical suppliers, Saville Whittle, as a technical sales representative – a role which he gained after leaving Hull University with a degree in Chemistry and Nanotechnology.

Devine Chemicals produces premium quality product ranges such as DeCAL Additives – a range of acrylic thickeners and dispersants. Devine Chemicals also distributes a range of carefully sourced products including pigments such as DeTOX Titanium Dioxide.

Commenting on his appointment, Tom said: “Devine Chemicals has a fantastic reputation across the industry and it’s great to be part of the team.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity to work on such a high-quality portfolio of products and I’m looking forward to strengthening and building relationships with both new and existing customers.”

Anna Graham, Steph Chalmers & Byren Atkinson, r//evolution

Marketing agency r//evolution, based in the Northern Design Centre, Gateshead, has bolstered its rank with the appointments of Anna Graham as Head of Communications and Content, Steph Chalmers as a Creative Designer and Byren Atkinson as Junior Front End Developer.

With significant agency and in-house PR experience, Anna Graham will advise clients on all areas of communication, marketing and events management.

Formerly Media and Public Affairs Executive at Newcastle International Airport, Anna has worked with major international brands including Emirates, British Airways and United Airlines to deliver exceptional regional campaigns.

Steph Chalmers is a welcome addition to r//evolution’s creative team. Having successfully run her own freelance design business for three years, Steph decided to join r//evolution to further her career in the creative industry.

Managing Director Gill Burgess said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Anna, Steph and Byren to the r//evolution team and believe that their skills will make a big impact on the business and services we can offer to our clients.

“We’ve recently secured a number of new business contracts so it’s already shaping up to be an exciting year for us!”

Michael Watts and Clare Hampton, Absolute Agency

North East branding and design Absolute Agency has appointed Michael Watts and Clare Hampton as it takes its overall team to 5 at the Northern Design Centre in Gateshead.

Michael has joined the company as a Senior Creative responsible for a range of services including graphic design, web design, creative idea generation and integrated advertising campaigns.

He has 15 years experience working at some of the biggest advertising agencies across the North East and for clients including Bet365, NHS and Berghaus.

The team’s most recent recruit is Clare Hampton who joined Absolute in January 2017 as an Account Director responsible for client servicing, integrated campaign planning and the delivery of marketing strategies.

Clare has over 20 years experience as an account handler working for a diverse range of clients including One North East, Barker & Stonehouse, Nexus and NCFE.

Sarah McCrady, Founder and Design Director at Absolute Agency, said: “It’s been an incredible couple of years at Absolute.

“For us, Absolute defines being the best at what we do and not compromising on delivering anything less. As a team we often talk about how lucky we are to have chosen design as a career and even after all these years we still love what we do.

“The most rewarding part is seeing our client’s grow, building brands that really encapsulate the essence of who they are and knowing that we have been part of that journey with them.”

Emma Canham, Jacksons

North East law firm Jacksons has announced its first appointment of the New Year as solicitor Emma Canham has joined the family team to assist clients in the region in all areas of family law.

Emma graduated from Northumbria University after completing a law degree, combined with the LPC course, and has seven years’ experience working in family law as well as criminal law.

She is working closely with Solicitor, Louisa Bestford, who heads up the department and consultant Ann Owens. Outside of work her passion is running and she takes part in the Great North Run every year, raising funds for local charities.

Emma said: “I’m thrilled to be working at Jacksons and being part of a firm which has been around for over 140 years. The Jacksons brand is well established in the region and has a great reputation in family law which makes things easier when you join any new job.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know our clients and helping them during, what can be, a very distressing time for them”.

Louisa Bestford, head of family at Jacksons, added: “We’re delighted to have Emma on board and she couldn’t have joined Jacksons at a better time.

“I’m confident Emma will be a valuable asset to Jacksons and the team and I’m very excited to welcome her”.

Dr Pipin Singh, Dr Kelly Hermuzi and Dr Riaan Swanepoel, Nuffield

Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital has made three new appointments after launching a private GP service which provides doctors’ consultations to those who may struggle to access regular GP appointments.

Dr Pipin Singh, Dr Kelly Hermuzi and Dr Riaan Swanepoel all join the team and will provide appointments at Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital.

The new service will be available to anyone and accessed on a pay-as-you-go basis, with appointments available at evenings and weekends, as well as during the week.

It is thought the private appointments, that will be a minimum of 20 minutes long, will prove popular with those working and living in and around Newcastle who may struggle to access other medical services at short notice, or find it hard to fit appointments around work.

Stacey Brunton, sales and services manager at Nuffield Health Newcastle Hospital, said: “We know from talking to patients at the hospital that many struggle to access their regular GP and were looking for a flexible service which they could fit around their busy lives.

“The NHS provides a fantastic service but we know that there can be long waiting times and appointments have to be kept fairly short due to pressures on resources. Our new service will provide an alternative for those who don’t want to wait to see their regular GP or who want an appointment outside of normal practice hours.”

Paul Graham, Northern Skills Group

Paul Graham has been appointed director of business and curriculum at Northern Skills Group, Middlesbrough College’s apprenticeship and training arm.

The former director of business and education at the College has taken up the new strategic role and is now responsible for building relationships with businesses across the North.

Paul is already working with organisations large and small to establish their training needs and guide them through the obligations and opportunities presented by the coming Apprenticeship Levy.

The Levy is a Government initiative in which large employers contribute to funding apprenticeships across different sectors.

“It’s the job of Northern Skills Group to help employers with their training needs, and their understanding of what’s required from them and how they can benefit,” said Paul.

“There are so many permutations of apprenticeships, including disciplines and how they’re structured. We want businesses to know the options available to them.

“It’s my job to listen to their needs and establish solutions that will ultimately help them grow.”

Join us next monday for more North East appointment news. To submit an appointment, contact our Editor Jamie Hardesty at jamie.hardesty@bdaily.co.uk before COP Thursday 23 February.

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