This week's North East appointments

Anthony Greally, Lichfields

Planning and development consultancy Lichfields has promoted director Anthony Greally to senior director.

Anthony, who has been with the firm for 20 years, is a planning adviser to the commercial and industrial sectors, acting for owners of North East employment locations such as Team Valley Trading Estate intu Metrocentre.

Anthony commented: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my career with Lichfields to date, in what is one of the country’s largest planning offices.

“The work is varied and interesting and we have contributed to many of the region’s most significant, ground-breaking developments over the years.

“Lichfields is a firm which never rests on its laurels as we constantly seek to boost our client and project portfolio, and I look forward to contributing further to this work in my new role.”

Lichfields’ chief executive James Fennell added: “Anthony is a highly-valued, and long-standing member of the Newcastle team and has played a key role in supporting the growth of the office and the region’s economy.

Deborah Fletcher, Supply Chain North East

Supply Chain North East has appointed Deborah Fletcher as an administrator.

Deborah brings over 10 years of experience to her new role, having worked as an accounts payable clerk, stock controller and credit controller.

In addition to numerous administrative roles, she has also worked as a receptionist and an information officer helping the Tyne and Wear Development Company bring thousands of jobs to the local area.

In 2015 Deborah joined the North East Automotive Alliance, a fellow Supply Chain partner, helping with events, membership registrations and admin support.

Andrea Malcolm, Bernicia

Leading regional housing association Bernicia has appointed Andrea Malcolm as executive director of people, homes and communities.

Andrea joins this newly created role after two years as director of people, culture and communications.

John Johnston, Bernicia’s chief executive, commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to confirm Andrea’s appointment into the role of executive director of people, homes and communities and I’m sure she will prove to be an excellent appointment.

“Bernicia is entering into an exciting phase of development where our service delivery models will change as we continue to ensure that we respond to the needs of our tenants, communities, staff and the marketplace.

“As a consequence of this we have reviewed our executive team structure and are now combining our housing and people functions under Andrea in the newly created executive director role.”

Commenting on her appointment, Andrea added: “Bernicia is finalising bold new service delivery plans to meet all our stakeholders’ needs so it’s an exciting time for me in my new role to be able to drive this agenda forward.

“We’ve got a fantastic team at Bernicia delivering great results through their commitment to ensuring all our tenants and customers receive the best possible service tailored to their specific needs.”

Hannah Whyte, Laura Greatrex, and Thomas Pearson, W North

PR agency W North has appointed Hannah Whyte, Laura Greatrex, and Thomas Pearson to its Newcastle team.

Hannah joins the company having gained a first-class honours degree in media, communication and cultural studies and following a summer of work experience at W’s London office.

Following her undergraduate degree in English Literature and a year in London with a beauty PR agency, Laura brings experience working with social influencers and consumer PR to the agency.

Thomas has existing experience writing for regional publications and joins the team directly after completing his master’s degree in Human Geography where his dissertation focused on online and social communication.

Head of W North, Christian Cerisola, commented: “The new hires reflect an exciting time for W North.

“We have big plans for the year to come and are entering 2020 with a strong team of dedicated professionals.”

Steve Sharp and Clare Smith, Nuffield Health Tees Hospital

Nuffield Health Tees Hospital in Stockton has made two new appointments to its senior management team. Steve Sharp has been appointed as hospital director, while Clare Smith comes onboard as financial manager.

Steve previously worked at Nuffield Health Leeds Hospital as financial and commercial director and at Nuffield Health Exeter Hospital as financial manager. Prior to this he worked as a chartered accountant in several sectors including health and professional services.

Steve commented: “This role is the perfect fit for me; I’ve been involved in the general management side of hospitals for some time now and was keen to take the next step.

“I’m very proud of Tees hospital’s excellent CQC rating and I see it as my responsibility to ensure we maintain this quality standard whilst implementing new ideas and processes and coordinating activities and services with our other hospitals across the country.”

Clare, a chartered accountant, has worked in various senior financial roles for companies including KPMG and Sage. Prior to joining Nuffield Health, Clare was working independently for clients in the primary care sector.

Clare said: “I’m delighted to join Nuffield Health Tees Hospital. I enjoyed working within the primary care sector previously and know this role is an excellent fit for me. “Everyone at the hospital is welcoming and supportive of my ideas. I’m looking forward to bringing my approach, planning and analysis methods to the role and supporting the hospital in delivering important services to patients across Teesside and North Yorkshire.”

John McCabe, Erika Leadbeater and Carol Botten, North East LEP

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP) has announced three new appointments to its board.

Founder and MD for Fusion PR Creative John McCabe, TSG marine operations director Erika Leadbeater and VONNE (Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East chief executive Carol Botten have all joined the North East LEP Board.

John McCabe is the current chair of Gateshead College and immediate past president of the North East England Chamber of Commerce. He has held senior positions at some of the North East’s largest organisations and launched strategic communications agency, Fusion, in 2013.

John commented: “I hope my experience of working in and with businesses large and small, of setting up my own business and of negotiating at the highest levels of government will be of value to colleagues across the North East LEP and to the wider region.”

Erika began her career as a private practice solicitor specialising in shipping and the carriage of goods before joining TSG Marine in 2013. Erika is an advocate for small businesses and a member of the UK Government’s SME Advisory Board.

Erika said: “I know from experience that the North East is a great place to live and work. In fact, when our business was getting started we chose to base ourselves in the region due to its strategic location, the skills of local people and the support for small businesses.

“I am honoured to be joining the team at the North East LEP to support the great work being undertaken to grow the economy, create jobs and promote the region.”

Carol Botten has been CEO of VONNE since September 2018 following four years as deputy CEO, and has almost 25 years’ experience in the voluntary and community sector.

Carol said: “I am delighted to have been selected to represent the VCSE sector on the North East Local Enterprise Partnership Board. I have worked closely with the organisation for a number of years as a member of the Skills Advisory Panel and on recent refreshes of the North East Strategic Economic Plan so I have a strong understanding of the LEP, its role and key strategies for the region.”

Andrew Hodgson, chair of the North East LEP said: “On behalf of everyone at the North East LEP, I’d like to welcome Erika, Carol and John to the Board.

“They are all hugely respected in their fields and their contribution to our work in growing the North East economy will be invaluable.”

Adam Chaffer, St James’ Square

Commercial law firm St James’ Square has appointed Adam Chaffer as solicitor in its dispute resolution department.

Adam joins the firm after working in-house for a FTSE 250 construction company. Prior to this he held positions at a range of regional law firms.

In his new role, Adam will be working on a range of cases including contractual disputes, property disputes and contentious insolvency matters for both claimants and defendants.

Scott Cable, partner and head of dispute resolution, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Adam to the team.

“He brings with him some great skills and experience that will not only strengthen the Dispute Resolution team but the firm as a whole.

Commenting on his appointment, Adam said: “I’m really excited to be joining the team at St James’ Square and I’m looking forward to being part of a firm that is going from strength to strength.

“The team are very welcoming here and it’s been a great start to the new year.”

Mandy Davies, Go North East

Travel company Go North East has appointed Mandy Davies as service delivery and control manager.

Mandy joins this newly created role from Blackpool Transport where she was previously head of operations, and has 26 years of experience of public transport delivery and customer service.

Martin Gilbert, managing director at Go North East, added: “We are delighted to have Mandy join us from Blackpool Transport where I know she was a long-standing and well-regarded member of their high-performing team.

“She brings a wealth of experience with her and we look forward to working together to build upon punctuality and customer satisfaction scores, which are already independently recognised as some of the best in the country, to deliver even better bus service and adapt to the many changes faced by bus operators today.”

Commenting on her appointment, Mandy added: “I’m delighted to be joining Team GNE given its great reputation across the industry and taking on the challenge of a larger operation with a mix of town, city and interurban express operations.

“I’m already aware of much of the fantastic work that goes on at Go North East and I can’t wait to get started.”

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