This week's North East appointments

Kathryn Blight, Roxanne Tuck, Alex Megahy, Daniel Carrick, Kenneth Shek, Nooshin Taravati. Kori Hanson and Russ Phillips, Status Digital

Newcastle-based agency Status Digital has announced eight new hires across the business.

Kathryn Blight joins the team as programme director, while Roxanne Tuck comes onboard as business manager.

Kathryn, from North Shields, joins following a career managing major projects for corporate companies De La Rue, Npower and OpSec Security.

Commenting on her appointment, she said: “Status is different from anywhere I’ve worked before. There’s so much energy in the team.

“Status is progressive and forward thinking and everyone who works here fits into that culture. It’s exciting to join a growing business at the forefront of such a fast-paced industry.”

Roxanne Tuck has spent a decade helping businesses in the education and hospitality industries improve their digital portfolio. She is currently studying an MBA part time at Northumbria University.

Roxanne commented: “It’s great to work with a digital team that genuinely puts its customers front and centre of their work.

“I’m looking at the long-term vision for the business, working with Nick and Graeme to develop our plans. We’re living in an intense period of innovation and working for a company that is at the forefront of that change is exciting.”

Kathryn and Roxanne are joined by three new junior front-end developers, graduates Alex Megahy, Daniel Carrick and Kenneth Shek, alongside junior web designer Nooshin Taravati.

Kori Hanson, a Newcastle College graduate, joins as a UX/UI designer, with Russ Phillips coming on board as a support developer, after a career spent at Newcastle University and Virgin Money.

Commenting on the appointments, managing director Nick Salloway, commented; “We are delighted to have the recruits on board.

“They bring with them a range of skills and experience to complement the expertise of our existing team. Importantly, they are curious and share our vision to continuously innovate, to think outside the box and find solutions that fit our modern and ever-evolving world.”

Diane Cheesebrough, Sam Morton, Gary Hunter, Martin Blackwell, Medi Parry-Williams and Ken Dunbar, ProxiSmart

ParkingPerx founder Chris Reed has announced the appointment of a board of directors for his company ProxiSmart.

Chris explained: “I needed to assemble a team with experienced business minds, who will help the company grow from strength to strength.

“I also focussed on gaining team members who have a specific knowledge in these specialist areas. I am delighted – I have my dream team! And then of course I also have a Dragon!”

Diane Cheesebrough has been appointed chair, with Redu Group’s CCO and CEO Sam Morton and Gary Hunter, Place Management consultant and former Association of Town Centre Management CEO Martin Blackwell, Dransfield Properties operating director Medi Parry-Williams, and Advance Northumberland managing director Ken Dunbar also joining the board.

Commenting on her appointment as chair of the board, Diane said ““ProxiSmart is an exciting and compelling prospect bringing forward products that will support Smart Cities and the environment for years to come. I am extremely proud to be involved.”

The appointments come after the founder of ProxiSmart Ltd secured co-investment from Mercia Technologies and BBC Dragon Jenny Campbell.

Jenny Campbell added: “It’s an incredibly impressive board. Chris has surrounded himself with very talented, experienced people.

“I’m looking forward to adding value, but I now know the company is in good hands.”

Will Parker, Luminous Group

3D technology and software development studio Luminous Group has appointed Will Parker as its new chairman.

Will has over two decades of experience in the technology and food industries, and was introduced to the firm by Mercia Asset Management, which recently aided a second round of investment for the Ouseburn-based company, raising over £400k.

On what attracted him to Luminous Group, Will said: “What was really appealing was Luminous’ new offering, traXR. This new software presents a real opportunity for the food industry but also a much wider range of industries such as pharmaceuticals, medicine and cosmetics.”

“The software provides real-world practice and puts a virtual envelope around it, which, as someone whose been involved in technology for a long time, is fascinating to me.”

Ben Bennett, managing director at Luminous Group, added: “It’s terrific to have someone with Will’s level of expertise and experience of the food and technology industries on board with us.

“We’re heading into new territory with traXR and Will shares our vision of the unlimited potential the software can truly have.

“With Will’s help we are looking to quadruple our turnover in the next five years; a massive feat, but one we believe is achievable.”

Emma Smith, Nigel Wright

The North East’s largest multi-discipline recruiter has confirmed the appointment of Emma Smith as principal consultant for senior finance positions.

Emma brings 16 years’ experience within the local recruitment industry, having joined a Newcastle based national firm after graduation from university.

As a senior manager, Emma has recruited across a variety of professional disciplines including HR and finance.

Based from Nigel Wright’s Newcastle upon Tyne office, and serving clients across the North East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire, Emma will utilise her network and client engagement capabilities.

Speaking about her appointment, Emma said: “I was ready for a change and keen to explore options outside of recruitment when I was approached by Nigel Wright. It became immediately clear that this was a great move for me.

“Not only does it complement my existing skills and networks, but Nigel Wright’s collaborative culture and implicit professional approach to client and candidate engagement means I’m learning new ways to deliver recruitment services while offering a fresh perspective on the market and its challenges.”

Nigel Wright principal consultant, Dan Bloxham, added: “Emma’s appointment strengthens our team at a point when we’re already market leaders within finance recruitment across the region.

“Emma’s ethos is perfect for our business, with her focus on service excellence, integrity and adding value to clients and candidates through every interaction.

“She’s the perfect fit for our organisation and culture and we’re delighted to welcome Emma to the team.”

Ben Forbes, Katie Allen, Lydia Stewart, Tania Brodie-Clarke and Jake Thompson, Muckle LLP

Law firm Muckle LLP, has welcomed four new trainee solicitors and an apprentice solicitor to its growing team.

Ben Forbes has taken up his first seat in banking & finance, Katie Allen begins her traineeship in the corporate team, while Lydia Stewart has joined the real estate team and Tania Brodie-Clarke has started in the dispute resolution team.

A new apprentice solicitor, Jake Thompson, has also joined the real estate team at Muckle LLP.

Jason Wainwright, Muckle LLP’s managing partner, said: “We’re delighted to welcome these bright, talented and ambitious individuals to Muckle – where they can expect all the opportunities and support they need to develop their careers to the very highest level.”

“We strive to provide our clients with excellent service and give our people a fantastic place to work and I hope our new apprentice and trainees will enjoy many happy and successful years here.”

Tania Brodie-Clarke, added: “Muckle LLP really stood out as being friendly, forward thinking and down to earth with a wealth of expertise.

“My Masters dissertation focused on the regulation of machine learning and I have a particular interest in the commercial uses of AI, so I’m delighted to be working with the dispute resolution team, which uses some of these innovative techniques.”

Jake Thompson, apprentice solicitor, said: “My original interest in Muckle began when I met some of its lawyers at the open evening at Northumbria University.

“When they explained the core values and the diverse range of people who work here, I knew that this was the firm I wanted to pursue. The other firms were good, but Muckle definitely stood out to me the most.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →