This week's North East appointments

Matthew Telling, Jackie Mills and Peter Savage, Westray Recruitment Group

Recruitment firm Westray Recruitment Group has appointed three new people to join its management team.

Matthew Telling has been appointed as operations manager of the Stockton-on-Tees office, Jackie Mills has been appointed as regional director of the West Midlands and Peter Savage has been brought onboard as industrial contracts manager.

Maureen Wright, MD at Westray Recruitment Group, explained: “When COVID hit, most companies entrenched and simply looked to survive. We took the opportunity to accelerate our plans and pick up some excellent talent.

“We are a family business and take great pride in our culture and our work and we can’t wait to develop our business across the UK.”

Matthew commented: “I was drawn by the ambition that Maureen has to push Westray forward.

“I’m delighted to have joined the senior leadership team and I’m confident that I can add value and experience to what’s already an excellent group of people.

“The Teesside team have enormous potential, and the ongoing regional development across Tees Valley made joining Westray a straightforward decision to make.”

Speaking on her appointment, Jackie said: “I started my career in recruitment over 21 years ago.

“I absolutely love what I do and my business relationships are based on trust and honesty. Westray have a vision to change the overall perception of the recruitment industry and I feel lucky to be part of that vision”.

Peter added: “After meeting with Maureen and Ashleigh and hearing the exciting plans they have, I needed no convincing to join the team.

“Having such a strong name in the marketplace with a rich history behind them makes them a very attractive proposition and I believe as a team we can increase our client base, whilst continuing to deliver the levels of service to existing clients we have become well known for providing.”

Hilary Waters, Sintons

Law firm Sintons has welcomed tax specialist Hilary Waters to its team.

Hilary, a specialist in tax disputes with over 20 years’ experience, joins the firm from KPMG.During her career, she has built a reputation for supporting clients with a range of complex tax disputes as both advisor and advocate, as well as commercial litigation and regulatory matters.

Hilary experience of advising on a range of tax issues for both individual clients and groups of taxpayers, including the formation and management of litigation funding groups. She has experience in litigating matters at all levels of the UK Courts and Tribunals, from the First-tier Tribunal to the Supreme Court, as well as referrals to the European Court of Justice.

Angus Ashman, head of the dispute resolution team, commented: “We are delighted to welcome a lawyer of the calibre and experience of Hilary.

“During her career, she has become known as a leading name in her field, handling commercial disputes of the highest complexity on behalf of major businesses and fighting hard to secure the very best outcome for her clients.

“Her absolute commitment to achieving excellence is an ideal fit for our approach at Sintons. We are confident Hilary will help us to achieve even greater successes as a team and look forward to working with her to make that happen.”

Tony Kay, Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF)

The Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF) has appointed Tony Kay as president.

Tony, who has spent 30 years in the industry working as a quantity surveyor and now commercial director at Classic Masonry, takes over the two-year appointment from Ken Parkin chair of CAN (Construction Alliance North East.)

As a new President, Tony is keen to reenergise the work and progress made in recent years to ensure this 120-year-old organisation continues to develop and increase its active and relevant role within the construction industry.

In setting out his agenda for change, Tony Kay said: “I’m delighted to be taking on the role of President for NCBF. I have worked in the construction industry nationally and for a long time in the North East and supported by my committee team will lead the organisation to achieve great things and I’m excited as so much can be achieved.

“After the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the industry in the region will undoubtedly suffer.

“Our role at NCBF will be to facilitate the development and maintenance of a sustainable North East construction industry moving forward which will enable it to deliver the increase in demand generated by the backlog of projects shelved due to the lockdown.”

Holly Richardson, Avant Homes

Housebuilder Avant Homes has appointed Holly Richardson to the newly created role of area marketing manager.

Holly Richardson joins the company with more than 18 years’ experience in marketing across a range of sectors including entertainment, tourism, and engineering.

Holly will be responsible for implementing marketing activity for Avant Homes’ North East and Scotland operations, while supporting the group marketing department in delivering a brand strategy.

Commenting on her appointment, Holly said: “As area marketing manager for the North East and Scotland, I plan to use my broad scope of experience in marketing to support Avant Homes in reaching its end goal of being a housebuilding brand with a difference.

“It’s hugely exciting to become part of a company that prides itself on being unique from the rest. With my personal interest in interior design, I look forward to working with a brand with design-led thinking that goes above and beyond for its customers.”

Speaking about Holly’s appointment, Avant Homes North East regional director, Jennifer Tupman, said: “We’re very pleased to have Holly on board as area marketing manager for the North East.

“With her varied experience she is well-placed to support the region in driving Avant Homes’ marketing strategy forward and will play a key role in the journey to reach our ambitions growth objectives.”

Sarah Robson, Karbon Homes

Housing specialist Karbon Homes has appointed Sarah Robson as director of development and asset management.

Sarah joins Karbon with a range of experience in high profile roles in the North East, having spent nearly 10 years as head of economic development and housing at Durham County Council.

Sarah established Business Durham, as the business facing arm of the council along with a range of joint ventures, as well as founding Chapter Homes as the council’s market housing company.

Prior to this Sarah worked for Tees Valley Regeneration and more recently was corporate director of growth, enterprise and environment at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

Sarah said: “I’m excited to join an ambitious business with a social heart, in a role that will allow me to work with people to ensure they live in great quality homes.

“My career to date has been focused on the people and places of the north and trying to improve prosperity and quality of life and I feel that this role aligns with that and will allow me to deliver more, whilst working alongside a great team of colleagues.”

Charlotte Carpenter, executive director of growth and business development at Karbon, added: “We’re really excited for Sarah to join the team.

“She brings with her a wealth and breadth of housing and regeneration experience which will be invaluable in helping Karbon fulfil its development and place-shaping ambitions.”

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