This week's North East appointments

Samantha Wilcox and Chris Glancey, r//evolution

r//evolution, the Newcastle Gateshead-based creative marketing agency, has appointed two new managers to its growing team.

The agency has appointed PR specialist Samantha Wilcox as an Account Manager, joining its communications team with a wealth of media experience, and Chris Glancey as an Account Manager working within the online marketing department.

Samantha joins r//evolution with 11 years industry experience, having worked with international clients and on regional campaigns, both in-house and on the agency side.

She’s previously worked with brands including NASCAR, Northern Gas Networks, Jennings Motor Group, Sanderson Weatherall and Royal Quays.

CIM and DMI Certified Chris Glancey takes the reins as a key part of the online marketing and inbound team, working with clients including Visit Orkney, Communicate, Tyneside Home Improvements (THI) and Wilsonart.

Gill Burgess, managing director at r//evolution, said: “We’re delighted to welcome both Samantha and Chris to our team. With our growth-focused service resonating with businesses across multiple sectors, it’s vital that we continue to bring in fresh, creative talent so that we can provide the very best marketing solutions for our clients.

“We were pleased to win a Silver Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Award for Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy last year, so it’s great to welcome Samantha to the business as we continue to deliver impactful campaigns across the UK.

“The inbound side of our business is growing rapidly, and we’re delighted to be using our HubSpot Agency Partner status to help so many businesses to meet their scale-up ambitions. Chris is highly skilled, and we are pleased he’ll be bringing his meticulous attention to detail and creativity to our clients’ projects.”

Based in the Northern Design Centre, r//evolution specialises in delivering growth focused marketing solutions to ambitious businesses across both B2B and B2C sectors.

Amanda Adeola and Leanne Walker, BHP Law

Legal firm BHP Law has expanded its team of family law specialists with the appointment of two new women.

Amanda Adeola was born in Nigeria and spent her teenage years there before relocating to the UK determined to pursue a career in law, while Leanne Walker studied for her degree while being a mother and working full time.

Their appointments at BHP Law, in Darlington, represent an expansion in the team to meet demand for family law services.

Amanda has been qualified as a solicitor for nearly ten years and has joined the firm as an Associate.

She first had ambitions to be a lawyer after becoming aware of the corruption in her home country, where her father fought in the Nigerian civil war.

Amanda explained: “Nigeria is a fantastic and vibrant country with so much passion and resources, however, I saw so many injustices growing up that I wanted to have a career which would allow me to make a difference.

“I like to think that, every day, when I deal with someone’s divorce or arrangements for children that I’m helping them during a difficult time and making a positive difference.’

On arriving in England as a 15-year-old, she lived and later studied law in London before moving north in 2007 after her husband got a job in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Amanda worked for firms in Darlington and Middlesbrough before joining BHP Law.

Leanne decided to pursue her ambition of a law career after working as a trading assistant for a groceries wholesaler.

Leanne said: “Law appealed to me because it seemed really interesting, but I’m still not sure how I managed to study for an Open University degree while working full time.”

Leanne worked as a legal secretary and paralegal, which involved advising clients on mortgage and rent arrears as well as family law, the area in which she is now specialising as a trainee legal executive.

In addition to divorce, separation, financial matters and arrangements for children, the family law team at BHP Law also advise on pre-nuptial agreements, civil partnerships and co-habitation.

**Angelene Duke, Womble Bond Dickinson **

Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has hired competition lawyer Angelene Duke to join its Corporate and Commercial Services team in Newcastle.

Angelene specialises in EU and UK competition law, advising on merger control, anti competitive agreements and abuse of dominance.

Angelene is returning to the North East from an in-house role with Sky in their Competition and Regulatory team.

Angelene previously worked with a US law firm in London and has spent time in Brussels working on cases before the European Commission and the European Courts. She has experience from a regulator’s perspective whilst working in the Antitrust Enforcement division of the Competition and Markets Authority, the UK’s national competition authority.

More recently, WBD hired a new competition partner, Andrij Jurkiw to join Angelene and lead the wider team.

Peter Snaith, Partner in the Commercial Team and head of the Manufacturing sector team, commented: “We are extremely pleased that Angelene has joined us in Newcastle and very fortunate her arrival has been followed so closely by Andrij also joining the team.

“Angelene and Andrij have extensive experience in delivering clear and practical advice in relation to what can typically be highly complex aspects of competition law. They will be assisting with work for our clients across a range of sectors, including chemicals, transport, media and technology, amongst others.

“Our competition lawyers form part of our full-service team which provides support to the firm’s chemicals and manufacturing clients on Teesside and across the wider North East. At WBD we are proud to have supported businesses and projects on Teesside for decades, with members of the team having been immersed in the local industry for over 20 years”.

Michael McGhin, Bradley Hall

Property firm Bradley Hall has announced the appointment of its Sunderland commercial manager.

Michael McGhin joins Bradley Hall at its recently launched Sunderland office, based on Fredrick Street, following six years in the property industry.

Ex-soldier Michael also served in the Coldstream Guards as a Queen’s Guard, touring Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Michael will oversee all commercial matters in and surrounding Sunderland city centre, representing a wide range of landlord and tenant clients and handling the sales and lettings of a variety of properties and businesses.

Neil Hart, managing director, said: “Since its launch the Sunderland office has gone from strength to strength and the appointment of Michael will help us grow the commercial side of the business even further.

“Sunderland is experiencing significant investment and improvement and we are glad to have an established presence in the area at this important time for the city and surrounding areas.

“Michael was the perfect candidate to head up our commercial department in the region as he knows the area inside out. He was born and raised in Sunderland and has forges a successful career in the area in previous roles.”

Michael previously worked as commercial manager at Pattinsons before joining the Bradley Hall team.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining Bradley Hall as commercial manager at its Sunderland office. The firm has a fantastic reputation and is consistently expanding. It’s really exciting to be part of a local company which is continuing to go from strength to strength and I look forward to playing a part of its growth in Sunderland.”

Alice Fox, Novus Wealth Management

Novus Wealth Management, based in Wynyard Business Park, has appointed a new paraplanner, Alice Fox to support its delivery of financial planning services.

The firm has clients across the UK and specialises in delivering bespoke services including pensions, financial planning and corporate services.

Alice joins the business having worked for a number of years with Darlington Building Society as a mortgage adviser and within financial wealth management.

She previously gained a CeMAP in Mortgage Advisory, IFS Diploma in Financial Services Management (DipFSM) and qualified as a Financial Planner in 2017 by completing the CII Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (DipPFS).

Novus Wealth Management currently manages around £200m in client assets.

The firm is keen to bring new blood into the finance sector and champions Continuing Professional Development and ongoing training for its employees.

Speaking about her new role, Alice said: “Everyone here at Novus Wealth Management has been so welcoming and I’m enjoying my new role.

“I find the most interesting aspect of working in financial planning is getting an insight into the lives of our clients. We often get a glimpse of the most important stages in people’s lives, so it’s a great privilege to be working with our clients to help them achieve their goals.”

Jon Sturrock, managing director at Novus Wealth Management, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Alice to the team. She’s a talented paraplanner and we’re sure she’s going to have a rewarding career as part of the team here.

“We’re passionate about bringing fresh talent into financial services – it’s crucial that we continue to offer opportunities to those entering the industry, as well as helping to upskill people from within the sector by providing them with opportunities for growth and professional development.

“We’re pleased to be supporting our colleague Lauren as she looks to gain new qualifications in financial planning.”

Dulcie Hakin and Sara Andrews, Haines Watts

Haines Watts, the national accountancy firm, is continuing to grow with two new appointments across its offices in Newcastle and Darlington.

The company now employs over 35 staff in the North East, working with over 650 regional businesses including SMEs and not-for-profits.

Tax Manager, Sara Andrews and Audit Semi-Senior, Dulcie Hakin have joined the accountancy firm.

Sara graduated from Newcastle University in 2012 with a Degree in Accounting and Finance and has six years of industry experience, working as a Tax Consultant at with a large local firm and also within the banking sector.

She completed her ATT qualification in 2014 and will become CTA qualified later this year.

Sara is aiming to help the Haines Watts North East team expand their work in the creative sector, including the recent Museum and Galleries tax relief which was launched last year.

Dulcie graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a Degree in Accounting and previously worked in the internal audit and assurance team at national accountancy firm RSM. She is currently studying to become ACA qualified.

Donna Bulmer, managing partner, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Sara and Dulcie to the team here at Haines Watts. As we continue to grow the North East practice, we take great pride in recruiting the very best regional talent.

“It’s important to ensure that we continue to invest in bringing fresh, innovative thinking into the firm and for our clients feel the benefit of this approach.

“We’re privileged to work with a wide range of business-owners, helping them to reach their personal and business goals. We will continue to invest in our staff on behalf of our valued clients.”

Russell Lobb, The Expanded Metal Company

The Expanded Metal Company, the Hartlepool-based expanded metal mesh manufacturer, is pressing ahead with plans in the south with the appointment of Russell Lobb, a new territory sales manager.

Russell brings more than 12 years of experience to The Expanded Metal Company, having worked in a variety of sales positions in sectors including electronics and polymers.

In his new role, Russell will be responsible for developing relationships with both existing and new clients throughout southern England in industries including architecture, construction, filtration, security, transport, utilities, engineering, automotive and aerospace.

He will also be working closely with the senior management and product development teams at The Expanded Metal Company’s headquarters in Hartlepool.

Russell, who studied Marketing at De Montfort University in Leicester, most recently worked as general manager for Hungerford-based vibration management system specialist Curotec Team Ltd.

He has also held the position of sales manager with ALH Systems Limited, a company that specialises in developing and marketing specialist polymers and mechanical products for the gas, construction, electronics and telecom industries.

In addition, he has acted as field sales engineer with Acal BFi, a pan-European supplier of advanced electronic products and custom services to industrial manufacturers.

Philip Astley, managing director at The Expanded Metal Company, said: “We are delighted to welcome Russell to the team at The Expanded Metal Company. He has a strong sales background and will play a key role in delivering on our plans for growth and success in southern England.

“Russell has a great deal of insight into our target markets and I look forward to seeing him develop our customer base further in the UK.”

The Expanded Metal Company operates from a 25,000 sqm site in Hartlepool, which is a long established global centre for expanded metal expertise.

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