This week's North East appointments

Gillian Hall, North East LEP

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed a new chair to its innovation board.

Gillian Hall, who has more than 25 years’ experience as a business owner, non-executive director, and corporate lawyer, will lead the innovation board as it supports the drive to create more and better jobs in the North East.

Alan Welby, innovation director at the North East LEP, commented: “Increasing innovation is vitally important to the growth of our economy, especially now, as businesses and communities are recovering from the impact of COVID-19 and finding new ways of working.

“Gillian has a real drive to make sure that the work we do has an impact and that we make a difference for people in the North East. Her hands-on approach will ensure that we work towards increasing innovation in the region with pace and purpose.”

Gillian Hall added: “By encouraging innovation – whether that’s within small businesses or in large corporations – we can boost the region’s productivity, create more jobs, and make a positive difference to the lives of people in the North East.

“In the wake of COVID-19, we will also be playing a role in the North East COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“As the chair of the innovation board, my priority is to turn plans into action and, along with the rest of the board members, I will be working with the team at the North East LEP and our partners across the region to support businesses and communities as they recover.”

Christopher Welch, Sintons

Christopher Welch is taking up the position of managing parter at Sintons after 17 years with the firm.

Christopher has for some time been a part of the firm’s senior management team and has played a central role in major projects to help shape the future of the firm, including its recent rebrand.

He said: “I am very pleased to be appointed to the role of managing partner and look forward to the meeting the challenges ahead.

“We have a hugely capable team at Sintons with many talented, committed people I know I can put my trust in.

“We will work together to achieve our ambitions as a firm for the benefit of all our colleague and our clients.

“Having built longstanding relationships with my clients, many of whom have been with me since the earliest days of my career, I will continue in my role as a corporate lawyer.

“Being the trusted advisor to clients whose businesses and aspirations you come to understand over the course of many years carries great responsibility, and I will continue to act on their behalf and support them as we emerge from the pandemic and into the future.”

Ashley Duqué Kienzle , Changing Health

UK-based digital health platform, Changing Health, is continuing its growth with the appointment of experienced strategy and product leader, Ashley Duqué Kienzle.

Ashley joins Changing Health as chief product officer and will be fundamental in focusing on the behavioural, organisational and technical challenges that if correctly addressed will enable people to prevent, reverse or survive chronic diseases.

Following previous roles at global technology heavyweights including Amazon and Facebook where she delivered artificial intelligence products and led a team to tackle significant problem areas, Ashley has a skillset focused on user centric solutions and converting complex challenges into innovative solutions.

Ashley commented: “I am thrilled to be working with such a dynamic and accomplished team at Changing Health.

“Joining Changing Health gives me the opportunity to contribute to the organisation’s goal of supporting positive and transformative lifestyle changes that improve the health and livelihood of its users.

“Healthtech and scientifically validated advice will play an increasingly critical role in supporting and enriching the lives of countless people.

“We have an incredibly exciting time ahead of us as we continue to build a user centric product to enable and promote positive behaviour change.”

Founder of Changing Health, Mike Trenell, said: “With a stellar career in product design, behaviour, and artificial intelligence with some of the world’s largest companies, Ashley is uniquely positioned to lead our vision to provide digital support to the right person at the right time.”

Michael Donachie, Tech Projects

Experienced director, Michael Donachie, has been appointed to spearhead growth at specialist manufacturing and engineering firm Tech Projects.

Tech Projects, based in Felling, Gateshead, designs and manufactures conveyor systems as well as manufacturing and installing structural access and material handling solutions.

Michael Donachie brings more than 30 years’ experience in manufacturing and engineering to the general manager role at Tech Projects. He has extensive experience in delivering growth plans and strategies at a senior level.

He commented: “I’m excited by the opportunities this new role has given me to accelerate the growth of the company.

“Tech Projects is an established business which offers an array of specialist fabrication skills and due to the infrastructure on site and has high level manufacturing and engineering capabilities which can be further built upon.

“Being a part of the Go 2 Engineering Group has given us an overnight presence in the Midlands which has already benefitted one of our existing North East based brewery customers, who also have a factory in the Midlands.

“Delivering projects as part of the group will both enhance Tech Projects’ national visibility and also provide our customers with further access to turnkey engineering solutions from a single source.”

Peter Dodd, managing director at Go 2 Engineering added: “We’re delighted with the appointment of Michael whose experience will help drive the growth of Tech Projects and also deliver opportunities to the group in the North East area.”

Steve Maybury, O

Creative communications agency O has grown its senior team with the appointment of a digital account director.

Digital specialist Steve Maybury has joined O’s team to expand its digital services, including SEO, paid and organic social media management and creative content marketing.

Steve brings 18 years working in communications, with a focus on content marketing, digital PR and SEO, lead generation and impact measurement.

Steve said: “This is a challenging time for businesses, but an exciting phase for digital communications and marketing which is coming to the fore as a way to help businesses differentiate and recover post-lockdown.

“Organisations all over the world are reviewing and refining their digital strategies as they look to find new ways to reach, engage with and sell to customers.

“I’m looking forward to working with such a great portfolio of national and international brands and local businesses, and working with the team to help get our clients in the best position possible to face the future head on, with robust digital marketing strategies and superb creative content that sets them apart from competitors.”

Rhiannon Nightingale, Roslyn Bell, Charlotte Whatley and Georgia Wilson, Ryecroft Glenton

Ryecroft Glenton has expanded its team to meet growing demand for its services with the appointment of four new members of staff.

The Newcastle-based advisory firm has hired Rhiannon Nightingale, Roslyn Bell, Charlotte Whatley and Georgia Wilson to grow its corporate finance, accounts and outsourced services and audit and assurance service lines.

Senior manager, Rhiannon Nightingale, has joined RG’s corporate finance service line, and will be advising shareholders of owner managed businesses, large corporates and private equity houses on all aspects of strategy, growth and transformation, including Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A).

The firm has also recruited Charlotte Whatley and Georgia Wilson, who are both part qualified associate chartered accountants starting their advanced exams (the final stage) this summer, to join as accounts and audit assistants.

Completing the group of appointments is Roslyn Bell who joined as part of the payroll team.

Peter Glenton, partner at Ryecroft Glenton said: “We are delighted to welcome our latest recruits, as we continue to focus on attracting talented individuals to the business to help with the growing demand for our services.

“Carrying out all four inductions remotely during the lockdown period was a novel experience for all involved but it went remarkably smoothly.

“I have been impressed by how well our newest recruits have settled in given such unusual circumstances.”

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