This week's North East appointments

Louayy Haqqi, Steph Holmes, Brian Naisbitt and Liam Copping, Evolved Search

SEO and content marketing agency Evolved Search has made four new appointments to its team in Newcastle.

Louayy Haqqi joins Evolved Search as head of paid marketing, Steph Holmes comes onboard as digital PR & outreach executive, Brian Naisbitt has been appointed as digital graphic designer and Liam Copping senior technical SEO lead.

With over 12 years working across senior agency and in-house roles, Louayy worked most recently as head of digital at online finance broker MYJAR.

Louayy is AdWords and Analytics certified, and has experience working on a range of accounts from SME to large multinationals.

Evolved Search operations director Tom Etherington commented: “We are delighted to have Louayy joining our team in a key leadership role at a time when the company is looking to take our paid media offering to the next level.

“We are confident that his depth of experience in managing significant budgets, dealing with highly competitive industries, and developing services within digital agencies will be a huge boost to our team and the service we deliver to our clients”

With a first class honours degree in journalism under her belt, Steph brings to the role experience across a number of sectors, with a history of doing freelance work with the BBC and holding marketing and PR roles in recruitment and FMCG.

Speaking of her new role, Steph said: “I wanted to join Evolved Search as it seemed like a fun and vibrant place to be.

“They have a great vision for the next few years and it seems like a really great time to be a part of such a knowledgeable and amazing team as they continue to grow.”

Brian has over five years of experience in the industry, working with clients in the manufacturing, technology, and engineering sectors, as well as a degree in drawing & image making from the University of Central Lancashire.

Liam brings several years of digital marketing and technical knowledge and experience gained both in-house and at local agencies after graduating from Northumbria University. He has GAIQ and AdWords certifications and experience across both B2B and B2C sectors.

Tom Etherington added: “Bringing Liam into the technical team is further evidence of our commitment to investing in brilliant digital talent. He’s joining at a great time for not only the business but the service overall.

“We’ve won some brilliant contracts and awards recently and are on a positive, ambitious and exciting journey, so it’s great to have Liam join us and add even more knowledge and experience to our offering.”

Amelia Robson, Hedley Planning Services

Planning specialist Hedley Planning Services has appointed Amelia Robson as a planner.

A qualified planner, Amelia brings experience in local government, residential and commercial planning work to her new role.

Amelia will be working alongside the company’s management team, assisting in the preparation of planning applications and supporting statements for a range of residential and commercial clients across the region.

Managing director Sean Hedley commented: “We are investing in the best people to support our ambitions, so it’s great to have Amelia on board.

“She will be a big asset as we go for growth in 2020, enabling us to continue to provide all our clients with the highest standards of service and added value planning advice.”

Nicola Halse, Pentagon Assurance

Assurance services provider Pentagon Assurance has appointed Nicola Halse as sales and marketing manager.

With more than 20 years of industry experience. Nicola, who holds an HNC Business Management, has previously held the roles of marketing and business development manager, business development executive and most recently marketing manager at Impeller Assurance and Resilience Ltd.

In her new role, Nicola will be responsible for developing and delivering the company’s sales and marketing strategy which includes managing the growth of the brand, further developing the company’s website and online presence and building on her extensive North East network to increase the company’s exposure and sales.

Barry Cooper, director at Pentagon Assurance, commented: “This is an exciting time of growth for Pentagon Assurance, as well as strengthening our team we are also expanding our training services to include safety training in line with our growing client requirements.

“Nicola brings with her a breadth of industry experience and I am confident that she will prove an invaluable asset to the company – it is a pleasure to welcome her to the team.”

Commenting on her appointment, Nicola added: “Pentagon Assurance is renowned for the high calibre assurance services it provides its clients and I am looking forward to utilising my expertise to further raise its profile on both a regional and national scale.

“There is a great culture at Pentagon Assurance and I am delighted to join the team and to be working with my colleagues to build on the company’s current model to bolster further growth.”

Paul Anderton, Pentland Brands

Pentland Brands has appointed Paul Anderton as head of category for product and innovation at Berghaus.

Paul joins Berghaus after holding senior European product management roles at outdoor brands Patagonia and Columbia Sportswear.

Paul has also worked for Hurley, Nike, Quiksilver and Salomon in a career in outdoor, sports and fashion that spans 30 years.

Paul will be based at the firm’s Sunderland headquarters, working closely with head of design James Hodgson, leading the product and innovation team.

Kev McFadyen, Berghaus brand director, commented: “Paul started his outdoor industry career with us 20 years ago and has since gone on to work for some of the biggest global brands in our sector.

“We look forward to him using his extensive experience in the category to lead our product team as Berghaus gears up for the next exciting chapter for our brand.”

Paul Anderton added: “I have a long-standing passion for Berghaus and I’m proud to be returning to the business and its people.

“Kev and the team here have a compelling, bold vision, and I share their determination to harness the elements that are so special about Berghaus and deliver the next era of great success for this amazing brand.”

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Charlotte Dickinson, George Smith, Hayden Richards and Hannah Beer, Muckle LLP

Law firm Muckle LLP has made five new appointments to its team.

Charlotte Dickinson and George Smith have secured positions as solicitors in the real estate team at Newcastle-based Muckle. Hayden Richards has been appointed to the corporate team and Jack Dawson has joined the commercial team. Hannah Beer joins the growing employment team.

Jason Wainwright, managing partner, said: “We’re delighted that our newly-qualified solicitors Charlotte, George, Hannah, Hayden and Jack have taken up positions within our specialist legal teams at Muckle.

“Particularly as it represents another year of 100 per cent trainee retention, with each of our qualifying lawyers choosing to stay with us.”

“These are five very talented, hard-working and positive people and I wish them the very best of luck for a long and successful career at Muckle. Our clients love working with them and they are already a tremendous asset to our business.”

Commenting on her appointment, Charlotte added: “I am delighted to have qualified into the real estate team at Muckle, having worked for the firm first as a paralegal and then as a trainee.

“I think what makes Muckle such a great place to work is the people - there is a real family feel to working here. I have always felt supported and valued and I am very excited to be furthering my career at such a forward thinking firm.”

Craig Fyall, F Jones Cleveland Ltd

Worksurface specialist F Jones Cleveland Ltd has appointed Craig Fyall as managing director.

Joining the company as sales director in April 2018, Craig previously held the position of sales director for specialist building products group Building Product Design Ltd.

Craig has worked in the kitchen and construction industry for the past twenty years.

Ian Jones, chairman of F Jones, commented: “As a family-owned concern we have been delighted with the way Craig has integrated into the business and applied his expertise and market experience.

“His promotion to managing director is important to our growth plans going forward and I will be working closely with him on implementing our business strategy.”

Craig added: “F Jones is about to embark on a significant growth and investment strategy that will mark an exciting new chapter in the company’s 35 year heritage of providing luxury worksurfaces.

“I am proud to have been given this responsibility and look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

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