This week's North East appointments

Your latest roundup of appointments from across the region is here.

Niamh Taylor, BH Mortgages

BH Mortgages has announced the appointment of its newest member of staff amid significant growth for the firm.

BH Mortgages was launched two years ago as part of the BH Group of companies, which includes leading property agency, Bradley Hall. The firm has taken on its first apprentice to support growing operations across the North East.

Niamh Taylor, 18, from Newcastle, has joined the company as case and business administrator.

BH Mortgages director, Lewis Chambers, said: “The success over the past two years of BH Mortgages has been more than I could have hoped for. The team has grown and we have been able to supply hundreds of people with mortgages on a national scale.

“Niamh was a very enthusiastic and intelligent candidate and we are delighted to welcome her to the team. Our aim is to teach her the skills she needs to thrive within the industry, offering guidance and mentorship from our experienced staff.”

Niamh said: “I joined BH Mortgages as it has an excellent and professional reputation. I have always been interested in the industry and this role was a fantastic opportunity to learn in a real working environment while being mentored by the best professionals within their field.”

Graham Cornforth, Baldwins

Baldwins, a CogitalGroup company, has appointed experienced dealmaker, Graham Cornforth, as its new corporate finance director of the firm’s North East team.

Having qualified and worked for one of the ‘Big Four’, and with almost 20 years pf experience working with entrepreneurial owner-managed businesses, Graham is passionate about helping clients realise their ambitions.

At Baldwins, he will be responsible for advising on a range of transactional work, including structuring and negotiating management buyouts, business disposals and corporate acquisitions.

Speaking about his new role, he said: “I’m thrilled to be part of one of the largest corporate finance teams in the North East.

“Providing strategic advice on business transactions is my forte and I can’t wait to help businesses across the region build and realise stakeholder value.

“It’s exciting to be part of one of the UK’s fastest-growing accountancy firms. The firm boasts an incredibly strong corporate finance offering that constantly delivers outstanding results for clients.

“I’m looking forward to helping the team build upon its success in the North East.”

Following the appointment of a new director, there are now five in the North East corporate finance team and the firm is looking to increase this number to seven in the near future.

Paul Lott, Gordon Brown Law Firm

Newcastle’s Gordon Brown Law Firm LLP has welcomed experienced solicitor Paul Lott as it bolsters its growing employment team.

Paul, 36, who joins the firm as an employment solicitor, will provide cost effective legal advice covering all aspects of employment law to the North East business community, whilst assisting with the development of the firm’s disputes and employment team.

Paul will also work closely with GBLF’s sister company Hadrian HR, which specialises in providing personalised HR services and legal advice to micro and small businesses across the region.

Having worked as an employment solicitor at South Tyneside Citizens Advice for nine years, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role at GBLF.

He said: “GBLF is a great firm with an outstanding reputation. Having dealt with the team previously, it was the firm’s friendly and down-to-earth approach to business which attracted me.

“It is an ambitious business, but one which places its clients and people at the forefront. I am looking forward to working as part of the Disputes and Employment Team to support North East businesses while also supporting the team behind Hadrian HR.”

Emily Kirk, Lucy Budge, Harley Young, Helen Cummings, The Tonic Communications

Newcastle-based PR and events agency, The Tonic Communications has expanded its offering with a host of new recruits.

The agency, located on Collingwood Street in Newcastle, with offices in Nottingham and London, has recruited a new events manager and PR account manager, as well as a PR account executive.

Harley Young, Lucy Budge and Helen Cummings have all joined the business, helping to widen the agency’s unique offering to both existing and future clients.

Former intern, Emily Kirk has also been offered a full-time position within the company, taking on the role of trainee PR account executive.

The Tonic Communications works with a range of national and local clients covering both consumer and B2B sectors, such as leisure, transport, healthcare, retail and technology.

The Newcastle base has also recently moved to a larger office space within Collingwood Buildings to accommodate the growing team.

New team member, Harley will be working from the Newcastle-based office, while colleagues Lucy, Helen and Emily will be located in Nottingham city centre, in The Garage Studios on St Mary’s Gate.

Harley said: “I am very excited to be joining The Tonic Communications. For me, the role felt like a perfect fit with my event management background, having previously worked on a variety of events from launches and exhibitions on an international scale for global brands, to Christmas parties in the Northumberland countryside.

“I am looking forward to being able to compliment the PR expertise of Tonic to enhance their current client portfolio and new business opportunities.”

Lucy, a former journalist for the Nottingham Post newspaper, said: “I’m thrilled to be a member of The Tonic team and get involved with both new and existing clients.

“I’m really looking forward to utilising my writing skills as a qualified journalist, as well as building on the experience I have gained in public relations, events management and digital over the years.”

David Towns, Muckle LLP

Muckle LLP has appointed nationally-renowned expert, David Towns to head up its new agriculture, estates and rural property team.

David’s appointment and the establishment of a new team dedicated to agriculture, landed estates and rural property means the law firm now has specialist expertise across the full spectrum of commercial property law.

David will lead a team of specialist lawyers, which also includes partners Will McKay and Libbie Henderson, associate Richard Nixon and solicitor Beth Thompson.

Having qualified as a corporate finance lawyer, David soon switched to agriculture and rural property work, and has since built up 14 years of significant expertise in this niche area, acting for national charities, to rural estates, landowners and regional farmers.

He specialises in all aspects of agricultural law and is an acknowledged expert in the field of manorial rights and mines and minerals.

He has previously given evidence to the Justice Select Committee’s Inquiry into manorial rights and often provides commentary to national radio and newspapers on this topic.

David said: “I am delighted to be leading this brand new, dedicated team at Muckle LLP and to be helping our agriculture, landed estates and rural property clients to develop, grow and adapt their businesses.

“Lots of firms claim to be different, but with its friendly and collegial culture, Muckle really is. The firm values its clients and its people above everything else and we know that by having motivated people with the right expertise, clients will experience the best quality service - and I’m excited to play my part in that.”

Jack Ackerman; Adam Johnson; Claire Sanderson, Lumley Castle Hotel

Lumley Castle Hotel in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has appointed three new sales coordinators tasked with introducing the historic venue to a wider corporate, bridal and leisure audience.

Jack Ackerman, former trainee venue manager at Durham’s Fat Buddha will handle conferences and events, building the 630-year-old venue’s profile among the business community.

Adam Johnson, Lumley Castle’s new wedding and events sales coordinator, joins Lumley Castle having spent almost a decade within the UK hotel industry. His focus will be to develop its reputation as one of the North East’s leading wedding venues.

Claire Sanderson has also been internally recruited to the position of sales and events coordinator, from her previous role within the hotel’s weddings team.

Sales manager, Lauren Colledge, said: “Lumley Castle is a key venue for meetings, conferences, private lunches and events, and this expanded team will build on that.

“I have every confidence that Jack, Adam and Claire will not only consolidate our position at the heart of the North East hospitality sector, but will also expand awareness of the hotel both within and beyond the region.”

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