This week's North East appointments

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

Jonathan Smith, Ward Hadaway

Ward Hadaway has announced legal technology expert, Jonathan Smith has its director of IT.

Jonathan has worked in the IT industry for more than 20 years and has spent his career advising law firms on infrastructure and leading on change development and technology implementations across the North.

He has led the firms he has worked at through countless technology advancements over 20 years, including successfully implementing practice management and digital dictation systems across the UK as well as telephony and mobility projects and general infrastructure overhaul.

Jonathan is regarded as a thought-leader in various aspects of legal technology, expertise he will share as he consults with Ward Hadaway’s people to improve operations and technology strategies.

He said: “I am thrilled to join Ward Hadaway as the firm celebrates 30 years since it was established in Newcastle.

“Legal technology is constantly evolving and does pose challenges, such as the constantly evolving security landscape, the ever-increasing need for fast, reliable data on the move and the challenge that comes with meeting the expectation of the next generation of tech-savvy lawyers.

“I look forward to adding to the firm’s strategies for adopting innovative solutions and advancing technology initiatives that will promote Ward Hadaway’s ongoing growth and success in the future.”

Rachel McGowan-Kemp; Victoria McQueen; Ben Gilbert; Amy Speake, Holmes Noble

Holmes Noble, an executive search, interim and talent solutions firm, has appointed a new management team to concentrate on developing existing core practices as well as driving growth internationally.

Four newly appointed managing partners will work closely with the CEO, Donna Chapman, to develop and focus on three established core practice areas within the business - including energy and infrastructure, supply chain and logistics.

Rachel McGowan-Kemp will become managing partner, heading up the supply chain, logistics and procurement practice, and Victoria McQueen will lead the energy and infrastructure team as managing partner.

Ben Gilbert will be managing partner leading the manufacturing practice.

Amy Speake, current managing partner, providing talent solutions for Holmes Noble’s corporate clients, will be extending her role to support in growing each practice both nationally and internationally.

Donna Chapman, CEO of Holmes Noble, will also be leading the HR and board practice due to her CIPD Chartered Fellow status, the highest level of recognition for HR professionals.

Commenting on the new management team, Donna Chapman, CEO of Holmes Noble, said: “Holmes Noble has 13 years of success and solid experience… Firm foundations have been built.

“After a year of sustained growth, the business must now focus on developing from these foundations. Our relationships with senior executives in the three practice areas are at the core of our business.

“The new management team will be focused on broadening and expanding the relationships with our customers both in the UK and, internationally.”

Tim Bostock, Durham County Cricket Club

Durham County Cricket Club (DCCC) has appointed Tim Bostock as chief executive from July 2018, as David Harker steps into a non-executive director role and Allison Curbishley is appointed to Board.

Bostock is a senior executive formerly with National Australia Bank and most recently with the New South Wales government and has extensive experience in the private and public sector in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

A keen cricketer, Mr Bostock has played first class cricket in Zimbabwe and minor county cricket for Cheshire.

He said: “After a career in banking and commerce, it is a great honour to be stepping into the CEO role at Durham.

“I am excited to be taking on the role at such an important time for cricket and delighted to be able to call upon the experience of David as we establish the off field team to lead the club.

“Our aim is to once again become a force in English cricket, whilst continuing our tradition of developing young talent. We also have some exciting international fixtures to prepare for, including next year’s Cricket World Cup.

“Durham is a club which is renowned for its loyal and supportive members, I look forward to meeting them and continuing the work of the team to develop the fanbase and to attract more families and young fans to Emirates Riverside.”

Chairman, Sir Ian Botham added: “Following the completion of the financial restructuring I have been working with David and our fellow directors to draft a new business plan, put together a new board of directors and recruit a chief executive to lead the next stage of the club’s development.

“Recruiting Tim is a great coup for the club and I am delighted that David has agreed to take the opportunity to remain involved in a non-executive capacity.”

Angela Upex, Kingfisher Visitor Guides

Gateshead-based travel publisher, Kingfisher Visitor Guides, has recruited senior editor Angela Upex from Trinity Mirror.

Upex, a former assistant editor of the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, will join Kingfisher as editorial director as the company further expands its portfolio of titles.

Kingfisher publish specialist visitor guides which are placed in the bedrooms of upmarket hotels across the UK and Republic of Ireland. The company was founded by former national newspaper sports writer, Colin Cameron, following the sale of his contract publishing business to Bob Geldof’s Ten Alps in 2006.

Cameron said: “I’m delighted that Angela has agreed to join us. She came very highly-recommended and has an impressive record in her various successful roles at Trinity Mirror.

“I know she’s going to maintain and improve on the high editorial standards for which we’re known, and put her stamp on our digital offer - we’ve put a lot of effort into the design and functionality of our new website, and it is proving popular as an additional platform with our advertisers.”

Upex has held senior newsroom and executive since 1999 and in her previous role at Trinity Mirror was responsible for managing all commercial print, digital and social content for the North East region.

A former assistant editor, news editor, features editor and business editor, she also sits on the Women’s Advisory Board of the North East Chamber of Commerce.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining Kingfisher Visitor Guides at a time when they are driving the business towards further expansion.

“We have a great team of experienced staff and I’m looking forward to developing project opportunities using my industry experience and contacts to ensure that the business goes from strength to strength.”

Caroline Laffey; Debbie Reith; Tara Stonehouse; David Mitchell, KPMG

KPMG has announced four senior promotions across its audit and tax teams in Newcastle, after a successful first quarter.

Caroline Laffey has been made partner after 13 years working in tax at the firm, and will lead KPMG’s team of over 100 employment solutions advisers in the UK regions.

Caroline advises public and private sector employers on PAYE, National Insurance, National Minimum Wage, construction industry compliance and implementation of reward strategy.

Debbie Reith has been promoted to director after 11 years with KPMG. Debbie joined the corporate tax team in 2006 and soon specialised in innovation reliefs and incentives, ultimately building the North East’s only dedicated team in this area.

KPMG’s audit practice has promoted Tara Stonehouse and David Mitchell to director.

The promotions of Richard Curran to senior manager in restructuring and Chris Marshall to manager in corporate finance have also been announced.

David Elliott, office senior partner at KPMG in Newcastle, said: “Our clients are operating in a period of significant change.

“Geopolitics, evolving regulation and disruptive technology are fundamentally reshaping their markets. This makes it a challenging but exciting time to be supporting them.

“Our market-leading business in the North East continues to go from strength to strength, and investing in our people is key to this growth – bringing diverse talent to senior roles within the firm.”

Darren Baxter, Indigo Software

Indigo Software has appointed former COO, Darren Baxter, as the company’s new Group CEO, to lead a newly expanded executive team.

This follows the recent appointment of Tony Sweeney as non-executive chairman.

Darren will assume overall responsibility for Indigo’s global business operations, supported by Bill Ginn as Chief Financial Officer, Mike Hill as CEO for Asia Pacific, Mark Leavy and Colin Hough in Sales Management and Peter McLane as non-executive director.

Darren said: “Technology aside, one of the biggest factors behind Indigo’s continued success is our uncompromising customer focus and the emphasis we place on ensuring we exceed customer expectations.

“This will continue as we look ahead and consider how to improve and grow our company, by taking full advantage of technological advances and new commercial opportunities.”

Darren Baxter originally joined Indigo as a software analyst/developer in 1988 and has held a wide range of technical and management roles in the company, giving him an insight into the company’s technology capabilities, consulting strengths and culture.

Most recently as COO, he led an operations team of 27 staff and worked closely with business managers and consultants to ensure the company delivers quality products and services to its fast-growing customer base.

Tony Sweeney, of Indigo, added: “I’ll be working closely with Darren and the team, bringing executive management skills and an external perspective, adding value as a voice from outside the business culture, but with the advantage of a very long history of working with Indigo.”

Debra Ballantyne; Ralph Lichtmannedgger; Debbie Herron, tombola

tombola, a Sunderland-based tech company developing online entertainment focusing on bingo and casino games, has made three senior appointments as its expansion continues.

Debra Ballantyne has been appointed as head of people, joining from M24Seven, a fast growing internet infrastructure provider.

Debbie Herron is now the company’s head of chat, having previously been at Sage, the region’s largest technology business.

Ralph Lichtmannedgger has become head of compliance, moving from Pragmatic Play, one of the fastest growing mobile and desktop providers of digital casino games. Debra and Debbie will be based in the UK, whilst Ralph will be located in tombola’s Gibraltar office.

Commenting on the appointments, James Beard, tombola’s chief operating officer said: “We are growing rapidly and need talented people to continue that.

“These appointments show the importance we place on our people, our customer community and taking a responsible approach. It’s great to have Debra, Debbie and Ralph join us.”

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