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This week's North East appointments

A roundup of the latest appointments from across the North East.

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GasTech

North Shields-based GasTech Ltd, a specialist firm operating in mechanical building services, has announced the appointment of Ross Bailey as a director.

40-year-old Ross, from West Moor, Newcastle, will lead the mechanical installation division alongside director, Allan Stott.

Formed in 2005 by managing director, Craig Firth and his father, Graham, the company has almost doubled turnover from £2.5m in 2016 to £4.5m this year.

In a further new appointment, 36-year-old Tony Fraser, from Westerhope, has been appointed as estimating manager, as Craig builds upon his senior management team.

Ross Bailey, said: “My background is in mechanical engineering and I have progressed my career to project manager and most recently as a director.

“We have a 25-strong mechanical installation division and I am sure this will continue to grow as we develop new opportunities and drive forward with an integrated offer that includes design, installing and commissioning of mechanical projects across a range of sectors from care homes and hospitals to schools.

“I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that are ahead and I believe the commitment, knowledge and passion of the team will see the company continue to develop.”

Craig Firth started the business with his father in 2005 and took over its running in 2012. GasTech began as a service-based company that specialised in repairs and maintenance to gas boilers in plant rooms and in 2012 branched out into building services.

Craig, said: “I have a very clear vision for the future and our place in the market. However, the foundation of our business is very simple, to complete all projects on time, to the agreed cost and to the highest possible level of quality.

“Part of our growth strategy is identifying gaps in the market and the launch of the mechanical installation division is a great example of that approach. The division has grown rapidly by building solid relationships with our clients, which include Metnor Construction, Keepmoat and Compass Developments.

“My long-term plan is to establish an experienced senior management team to further grow the company. I am delighted both Ross and Tony accepted their positions as they bring a wealth of experience in their respective fields. “It is an exciting time as we are seeing sustainable growth and with these key appointments I can focus even more on growing the business, with 2018 looking like another year of acceleration”

Polly Wight, Liam Burns and Jenny Baker, Arcinova

Research and development organisation Arcinova has strengthened its Bioanalysis team with the addition of three new graduates.

Polly Wight, Liam Burns and Jenny Baker have joined Arcinova – which is headquartered in Alnwick, UK – as bioanalysts and will be responsible for supporting the Bioanalysis team across a range of services, including sample preparation, analysis, auditing and reporting.

Arcinova provides both end to end solutions and standalone services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

It works across drug substance synthesis, drug product manufacture, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC), bioanalytical and metabolism services, radiolabelling synthesis and synthesis of toxic/highly potent APIs. It also provides consultancy services and works in partnership with companies throughout the drug development process.

Stuart McDougall, Bioanalysis Leader at Arcinova, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Polly, Liam and Jenny to the Arcinova.

“We have seen significant additional demand for our services over the last year, partly as a consequence of the increasing trend among pharma companies to outsource their bioanalytical services.

“By strengthening our Bioanalytical team we are able to both meet existing client demands and build a solid foundation for future growth in this area.”

Ian Shott, Managing Director of Arcinova, added: “Arcinova already benefits from having a strong core of world-class scientists with extensive industry knowledge, but we are also committed to attracting and nurturing new scientific talent – as well as a helping to retain exceptional graduates within the North East.

“We look forward to seeing Polly, Liam and James grow with us as Arcinova continues its development – it’s fantastic to have them on board.”

Claire Wilson and Michelle Kettle Gordon Brown

NORTH East law firm Gordon Brown Law Firm LLP (GBLF) has awarded its inhousetraining contract to two members of its team concurrently, a first for the firm.

With only one candidate usually chosen each year, this year GBLF has announced Claire Wilson, 25, and Michelle Kettle, 24, as the firm’s new trainee solicitors.

As part of their training contract, each will undertake a period of recognised training as they put into practice their existing knowledge and develop their legal skills over a two-year period.

Claire, from Newton Aycliffe, studied Law at The University of Sunderland and gained her Legal Practice Course (LPC) at Northumbria University, before joining the firm in May 2016.

Michelle, from Blyth, completed her Law degree and LPC at The University of Sheffield and Northumbria University, and began working in the Property team at GBLF in June 2016.

Throughout the two-year training contract, Claire and Michelle will undertake professional training and gain experience across all areas of the firm.

Kathryn Taylor, managing partner of GBLF, said: “Both Claire and Michelle have shown great commitment to their personal and professional development since joining the firm, whilst demonstrating that they have the attributes required to be excellent solicitors.

“This is the first time that two concurrent training contracts have been awarded at GBLF, so it is a fantastic achievement and both Michelle and Claire should be extremely proud.

“As a firm we are passionate about developing our existing talent and so I am looking forward to seeing all that they achieve with us throughout their training and beyond as qualified solicitors.”

William Turnbull, Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield has appointed William Turnbull as Surveyor to its Newcastle Project Management & Consultancy team.

William joins from Knight Frank’s Sheffield office where he spent four years as a Surveyor in their Building team, providing commercial building consultancy services including, Project Management, Contract Administration, Dilapidations advice and Acquisition Surveys.

In his new role, he joins the six strong Project Management & Consultancy team in Newcastle and will be working with regional and national clients providing Project Management services.

A graduate of Sheffield Hallam University, William is originally from the North East.

David Wilson, Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Newcastle office, commented: “We are delighted that William has returned to his roots and joined the team in Newcastle with a view to enhancing our Project Management and Contract Administrating offering.

“Will’s appointment and the growth of the team, demonstrates the confidence the business has in the Newcastle office, because of the strength and well established nature of both the team and client base.”

Rachael Guest, FW Capital

Fund management firm FW Capital has bolstered its team with the addition of Rachael Guest in a portfolio executive position.

Rachael’s new role focuses on working with businesses from across the region that are looking to win investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, which provides a mix of debt and mezzanine funding of between £100,k and £750k to small and medium businesses.

She has joined FW Capital after spending the last four and a half years with Santander Corporate Banking, where, as relationship director, she managed a portfolio of 75 North East firms with turnovers ranging between £1m and £25m.

Rachael will be based in FW Capital’s Teesside office, but will be spending much of her time out and about, developing new relationships with businesses around the region and working with the firms in which FW Capital has already made investments.

She previously worked for Barclays Bank plc and Randstad Ltd, and as well as having an honours degree in Finance & Investment Management from Northumbria University, she also holds a Level Four Diploma in Business and Commercial Banking and Conduct.

She says: “I’d come across FW Capital during my previous role and they had a good reputation in the sector, so when I saw this role was available, I was keen to take it on.

“My years of working closely with SMEs, assessing their commercial situations and requirements, and finding the right types of financial packages for them has given me a lot of experience that is directly relevant to this new role, and the interesting investment options that FW Capital provides will give me an excellent chance to make sure of it.

“It’s been a very busy start, with a number of deals already in progress and many more opportunities in the pipeline, and I’m looking to get into the regional business community to build new relationships with companies that are looking to expand.”

Join us next week for more North East appointment news.

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