This week's North East appointments

Here’s your latest roundup of the top job moves in the region.

Ian Thompson, Paul Stevens and Jack Hall, Mandata

Mandata Ltd has announced three new appointments, including an internal sales manager for its cloud transport management system.

Ian Thompson joined the Cramlington-based road transport software specialist in a newly created national role that will see him managing the internal sales process for the SaaS product, TMS Go!, which is aimed at smaller road haulage operators.

Ian, who has over five years’ senior sales and marketing experience, said: “This is an exciting, challenging new role.

“In particular, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work closely with customers and new prospects, improving the whole Mandata experience through our benefits-led sales strategy.”

Also appointed is Paul Stevens, a new implementation consultant. Paul’s background has equipped him with a knowledge of road transport planning and operations management.

The third appointee, Jack Hall, has a customer service and business development background. As a transport industry executive at Mandata, he will be responsible for developing new business for the TMS Go! offering.

CEO Mark Norcliffe said: “We’re committed to securing the very best people to support our growth, new product development programme and corporate ambitions, so it’s fantastic to have Ian, Paul and Jack on board.

“They are critical additions as we gear up for a very exciting 2019 whilst continuing to provide innovative solutions, and the best standards of service.”

Alastair Willis, Lichfields

The Newcastle office of planning and development consultancy Lichfields has appointed Alastair Willis as a planning director.

Alastair, who holds a degree in Town and Country Planning from Newcastle University, previously worked for Stephenson Halliday and, before that, multi-disciplinary consultancy WYG.

Senior director Michael Hepburn, head of the housing and mixed-use team, said: “Alastair has been on our radar for some time. He is a high-profile addition with extensive planning consultancy experience across the residential, retail, commercial, and tourism sectors in the North East and beyond.

“Alastair’s skills will be a major boost to our growing team.”

Alastair commented: “Having worked in the North East for 12 years it is impossible not to notice the outstanding contribution the Lichfields team, has made to the region’s on-going economic transformation.

“I am thrilled to be joining the largest planning consultancy in the North East and view this a great opportunity to support the growth of Lichfields in the region and develop my career ambitions.”

Kim Harrison, YoungsRPS

Property company YoungsRPS has promoted estate agent Kim Harrison to associate – a newly created career level within the business.

Kim, a qualified member of the National Association of Estate Agents, has worked for YoungsRPS for more than 15 years.

She started her career in the industry as a sales negotiator before progressing to valuer/manager at YoungsRPS’ Hexham office.

Now reporting to the board as an associate, Kim will take on responsibility for the management of the estate agency side of the business.

YoungsRPS MD Robbie Hutchinson said: “As well as making new appointments, it is very important that we recognise and reward the efforts of loyal staff that have made the business a success.

“So, I am absolutely delighted that Kim has been appointed as the company’s first Associate and it is certainly very well deserved.”

He added: “Kim is winning a lot of business and is a key employee and member of staff. The performance of the Hexham agency team under Kim’s leadership has been outstanding and this promotion acknowledges the hard work and dedication that she has given.”

Kim commented: “I am thrilled to accept the role as Associate and I would like to thank the Directors for their support and recognition. YoungsRPS is highly respected with an exceptional reputation, and I am proud of the quality of our service, which is recognised by our clients.

“My aim is to continue developing the services we offer and to further strengthen our position within the areas we operate. I am looking forward to working with the teams in all of our estate agency divisions in a supportive role, helping them to implement best practice, to expand and evolve.”

Becky Gaughan and Hannah Ives, Knight Frank Newcastle

Knight Frank’s Newcastle team has welcomed two new property professionals.

Becky Gaughan has joined the consultancy as an associate in the commercial property valuation and advisory team, where she will work alongside Kevin Scully.

She was previously an associate director in the healthcare valuation team at Colliers International. Her background includes eight years as a Real Estate lecturer at Northumbria University.

Becky said: “I am focusing on general commercial valuation in my new role, but will also be working closely with the Knight Frank Healthcare team based in London to develop the Newcastle office’s role in healthcare valuation work.

“I worked predominantly from home in my last role covering all of the UK, and was commuting between Newcastle and London before that, so it’s great to be back in an actual office, and in the North East full time. It really feels like coming home.”

Knight Frank has also appointed Hannah Ives as a graduate in its office agency team. She is currently working alongside partner Patrick Matheson.

Hannah graduated with an MSc from the University of Reading and spent more than two years in Northern California, where she worked at Colliers International and JLL as an investment analyst.

The appointments follows the retirement of partner Ranald Harris, who worked at Knight Frank for 23 years. He has stepped down to enjoy time with his family and intends to go travelling.

Peter Bowden, office head and partner, said: “Ranald was incredibly well-respected, not only here at Knight Frank, but industry-wide.

“He is sorely missed but we are delighted to have been able to recruit Becky who is already producing some great work and creating new opportunities for us.”

He added: “Hannah, likewise, has hit the ground running and we are looking forward to an exciting 2019.”

Image L-R: Garry Peagam, David Winton and Jo Haigh

Jo Haigh and Garry Peagam, The Energy Check

South Shields utilities broker and consultancy The Energy Check has announced two appointments.

Jo Haigh, CEO of director services firm fds, has joined the company as chairperson alongside newly appointed non-executive director Garry Peagam.

The Energy Check has expanded rapidly in the last four years, during which time its team has grown from two employees to over 120 staff across four global offices.

Jo and Gary will support the firm as it embarks on the next stage of its growth strategy.

David Winton, founder and MD of The Energy Check, said: “Bringing together an experienced and engaged board of directors is a crucial part of our long-term strategy to meet our ambitious targets.

“Jo Haigh is a multi award-winning director and an incredibly well-respected figure in the business community. Her understanding of corporate governance is second to none and her experience of supporting more than 400 owner-managed companies will be invaluable to us as we grow, both domestically and internationally.”

He continued: “Similarly, Garry’s track record in finance roles within the energy sector provides us with crucial expertise. Having worked with the likes of Ecotricity and Good Energy in the past I know he will be a real asset to The Energy Check.”

Matt Bratton and Jennifer Hartley, Invest Newcastle

Inward investment agency Invest Newcastle, a service delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), has bolstered its team with two senior appointments.

Jennifer Hartley, joining the agency as a director, worked for NGI between 2012 and 2015 as a senior inward investment manager.

She has over 12 years’ trade and investment experience and most recently worked for Newcastle City Council, where she led and developed the authority’s digital and tech sector strategy.

Elsewhere, Invest Newcastle team member Matt Bratton has been promoted to senior investment manager. He will be responsible for coordinating inward investment activity across key sectors, using his knowledge of the city’s expertise in ageing, data and urban sustainability.

NGI chief exec Sarah Stewart OBE said: “I am delighted to welcome Jen back to NGI to lead Invest Newcastle. She will be a brilliant addition to our Senior Management Team, bringing in a wealth of technical knowledge and sector expertise.

“A huge well done to Matt who is now also taking on a senior manager role within the team, as a result of his continued commitment, passion and success over the past three years.”

She added: “With the appointment of Jen and Matt’s promotion I am confident that 2019 will be a year of international investment and economic growth.”

Image L-R: Chris Petts, James Bulloss and Andy Wood

Chris Petts and James Bulloss, Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton UK LLP has promoted Chris Petts and James Bulloss to partner and director level respectively.

Chris has worked with the firm for 20 years as a mid-market advisor in the North East, supporting businesses across Newcastle and Teesside.

As a partner in the firm, his responsibilities and regional footprint will extend to leading Grant Thornton’s restructuring and debt advisory practice in both the North East and Yorkshire.

With him is James Bulloss, who will also support Grant Thornton clients as they adapt to ongoing market changes.

Andy Wood, the firm’s managing partner for the North and Midlands, said of the promotions: “Chris and James have a combined service of close to 32 years and their wealth of expertise will be of great support to our valued clients during this period of uncertainty and great opportunity.

“In joining Richard Goldsack and Dan Rosinke as an advisory partner, Chris will enhance our strong, experienced and ambitious full-service advisory team in Yorkshire and the North East, and both Chris and James will be instrumental in growing our business further.”

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