This week's North East appointments

Anthony Jeff, Essity

Tissue manufacturer Essity has appointed Anthony Jeff as trainer.

Anthony joins Essity from Gateshead College where he was curriculum lead for its apprenticeship programmes for eight years. He specialised in mechanical engineering which included machining, hand fitting and maintenance techniques.

Anthony brings more than 15 years’ experience in the engineering education sector and was also responsible for the remodel of the mechanical engineering department at Huntingdon Regional College in Cambridgeshire after it was mothballed in the 1990s.

Anthony commented: “I am passionate about linking training and education with today’s business and industry needs.

“We know there’s a skills shortage in the North East manufacturing sector. The best way of tackling the gap is to train young people.

“I am looking forward to building on the mill’s achievements by identifying new training and development pathways and ensuring apprentices have the support and opportunity to achieve a successful and rewarding career.”

Mill manager Tony Richards added: “I am delighted to welcome Anthony to the team. Our apprentice scheme brings huge value to the business and he will be instrumental in developing and delivering our training strategy for the future.

“Anthony brings a wealth of experience with him which will be invaluable internally as well as externally with our training partners. He understands our values and I believe he will build on the success we have achieved bringing fresh ideas and enormous experience.”

Sally Lomas-Fletcher and Stephen Robinson, Jacksons

Law firm Jacksons has appointed Sally Lomas-Fletcher and Stephen Robinson as associate solicitors.

Sally’s legal career spans over 20 years which started when she joined a Newcastle based law firm in 1998 and subsequently qualified in 2002. In 2011, Sally was promoted to partner.

Sally brings with her a wealth of experience in employment law including advising on settlement agreements, disciplinary, grievance, employment tribunal work; unfair dismissal, redundancy, whistleblowing and discrimination claims. She studied law at Nottingham Trent University and completed her Legal Practice Course at Northumbria (gaining a distinction).

Sally commented: “I am excited at the prospect of joining Jacksons at such a unique time. Businesses have never experienced such challenges following COVID 19 and lockdown. I look forward to advising clients about returning to work in the ‘new normal’ as lockdown is eased.”

Stephen qualified as a solicitor in 2009 following the completion of his training contract with a Durham based law firm. Prior to his appointment at Jacksons, he spent five years with a Newcastle law firm where he was promoted to associate solicitor and then partner.

Stephen’s knowledge in private client matters includes administering estates (probate), trusts, preparing wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and dealing with disputed estates and trusts. He studied law at Newcastle University and completed his Legal Practice Course at College of Law, London.

Stephen commented “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Jacksons. Further to gaining invaluable experience at a north-east law firm in the last six years, it was time for me to take up a new challenge.

“Jacksons fits the mould perfectly with its first-class reputation within the legal sector, wide regional footprint and award-winning standards of client service. I was particularly drawn by the friendly and dynamic nature of the staff. I look forward to bringing my expertise, experience and enthusiasm to Jacksons’ wills, trusts and probate team.”

Jane Armitage, managing partner at Jacksons, added: “Sally and Stephen’s appointment is great news for our Newcastle office.

“Their skills and expertise will further enhance the talent base we have across the firm. I am very much looking forward to working with them both as we continue to expand.”

Fiona Cruickshank, The International Centre for Life

The International Centre for Life has appointed Fiona Cruickshank as chair of its board. North East native Fiona is an angel investor and a founder of pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses, and has a degree in pharmacy. She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2010 for services to business in the North East.

Fiona has previously contributed to many charitable boards, including serving as the current chair of the Community Foundation Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. Fiona commented: “It is an enormous privilege to help steer Life for the years to come.

“Life is a fascinating mix of a mission-driven charity, which aims to inspire curiosity in science and engage everyone in contemporary science issues, and a commercial trading arm, delivering income that enables complete autonomy and to respond quickly to changing times – an asset in these difficult times.

“Whilst I relish a challenge, I could never have envisaged the scale of the task ahead that the global pandemic has created. But I am more energised than ever to support the team to keep on making a difference to the region.”

Linda Conlon added: “I’m thrilled Fiona accepted the Board’s invitation to become the new chair.

“As an entrepreneur who has built a formidable reputation in the pharmaceutical industry, she has a wealth of valuable experience and skills to bring to the table.”

Michelle McBride, Hay & Kilner

North East law firm Hay & Kilner has appointed Michelle McBride as senior marketing manager.

Michelle has moved to Hay & Kilner from Ward Hadaway, where she had worked her way up to become a campaigns manager.

Having worked in the legal sector for more than 15 years, Michelle has particular knowledge of the commercial and employment law sectors.

Michelle commented: “I’d heard Hay & Kilner was looking to further enhance its corporate and commercial services, which ties in well with my experience, and it felt like it was an ideal opportunity for my next career move.

“The practice has a lot of exciting plans in the pipeline, which gives me a great deal of scope to develop marketing strategies and ideas that will support them.

“Even though we’re all working remotely at the moment, everyone’s been really welcoming and it’s an exciting time to be taking on this new challenge.”

Jonathan Waters, managing partner at Hay & Kilner Law Firm, added: “We’ve remained busy over the last few months supporting a wide range of clients through the pandemic challenges they’re facing, but have also been looking to the future about how the firm is going to develop.

“Michelle’s knowledge and ideas will be central to communicating the comprehensive and evolving range of services that our expert teams offer and we’re very glad to have her on our team.”

Nick Imrie, Changing Health

Digital health intervention platform Changing Health has appointed Nick Imrie as chief of staff.

Nick has 20 years of CEO and non-exec roles within the tech industry. Within this time period, Nick has been part of three exits and fast growth companies.

Nick’s previous company, What Users Do (now UserZoom Inc.) was part of the UK’s Fastest 50 programme, and he is an active non-exec for Distributed.co.

Nick commented: “Working closely with an array of tech companies has allowed me to be part of something I’m incredibly passionate about for the entirety of my career; tech businesses and their ability to scale and deliver value for clients and users.

“Our position in the world right now means that we’re relying on digital even more, and this has been highlighted as even more pressing for traditional industries such as the health sector.

“Changing Health is an incredible opportunity. But more than that, it has a real purpose and we can really make a difference to millions of lives internationally if we do our jobs right. Digital health is such a fascinating growth market right now that when the opportunity came to move from a non-exec to a more hands on role within the company, i just couldn’t pass it up .”

CEO and founder, Professor Mike Trenell, added: “With such a wealth of experience in scaling tech companies, Nick is bringing a significant amount of know-how to our team.

“He understands the role that Changing Health plays in the digital health field, and his expertise in building and managing technology businesses will ensure that we can deliver on our mission to deliver scalable behaviour change to chronic disease at critical time; digital health has never been more important than it is now.”

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