This week's North East appointments

Sara Davies MBE, Smart Works Newcastle

Women’s charity Smart Works Newcastle has appointed Sara Davies MBE as its ambassador.

Sara, an entrepreneur from County Durham, who has been a Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den since 2019 and who is the show’s youngest ever female investor to appear on the show.

Sara founded her crafting business, the Crafter’s Companion, 15 years ago. She is the recipient of over 25 business awards and in 2016 was recognised for services to the economy with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Sara will be figure-heading the charity to support its plans to increase the number of women it helps to gain employment through its coaching and dressing service.

Sara commented: “I’m absolutely thrilled to join the Smart Works family and honoured to represent the charity as a North East ambassador.

“Smart Works does a tremendous job of helping women gain confidence and realise their true potential. Their dressing and coaching service, and additional network of support, are invaluable to the women who are trying to re-enter, or have newly entered, the world of work.

“I’m proud to play a part in helping women to achieve their employment aspirations by raising awareness of the incredible, life-changing services that Smart Works offers.”

Sophie Milliken, chair of Smart Works Newcastle, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Sara as ambassador for our charity - she is joining us at an exciting time as we plan to increase the number of women that we help in our region.

“We are planning a big volunteer recruitment drive to find more trustees, coaches and stylists, and we are also looking to recruit a marketing and fundraising lead and a referral and outreach lead to support these aims.

“Sara is a perfect fit for Smart Works Newcastle and we look forward to working with her.”

Michele Faull, Newcastle Building Society

Newcastle Building Society has appointed Michele Faull as non-executive director.

Michele has spent 15 years in senior levels in finance and risk within the financial services industry. Her previous roles include chief financial officer at Coventry Building Society.

Micheles career has also incorporated roles with Nationwide Building Society, global insurer Aviva, accountants PwC where she was a partner, and IT services provider ICL.

Michele spent nine years as trustee and treasurer of the Bow Arts Trust and mentored for The Aspire Foundation, which supports women’s development internationally. She currently serves on Coventry Cathedral’s Finance Committee.

Michele commented: “Newcastle Building Society’s purpose, commitment to its members and growth ambitions are exciting.

“I’m looking forward to being able to support and drive the Group’s commitments and delivery of its ambitions for future growth and success, and, most importantly, making a positive impact on its region.”

Newcastle Building Society’s chairman, Phil Moorhouse, added: “Michele brings significant building society knowledge along with senior level finance and risk skills.

“She also has a passion for giving back and for helping others succeed and we look forward to her contribution as a board member for the North East’s largest building society.”

John Hammond, Parklane Plowden Chambers (PLP)

Barrister practice Parklane Plowden Chambers (PLP) has appointed John Hammond as personal injury and clinical negligence practice director.

John brings more than 30 years’ legal sector experience to the role and joins from Manchester-based 18 St John Street Chambers, where he clerked for 23 years.

During his career, John has seen the elevation of 12 barristers to the judiciary at high court, circuit and district judge levels. He also saw the threefold expansion of 18 St John Street Chambers during his time clerking with the set.

As practice director at PLP, John will provide senior clerking services for the chambers’ 65-strong personal injury and clinical negligence team.

PLP’s director of clerking and business development, Michael Stubbs, commented: “John enjoys a fantastic reputation as a top-class clerk, so it is a real coup for us to have recruited such an experienced operator.

“His appointment comes as we look to further increase our presence in the North West and grow our practice on both the Northern and North Eastern Circuits.

“With John’s strong network of contacts and the close relationships he has built working with solicitors for many years, we’re confident he will play a key role in helping us achieve that aim.”

John Hammond, added: “PLP has a long-established reputation for excellence in its personal injury and clinical negligence practice.

“I’m very pleased to have joined such well-respected chambers and look forward to clerking for one of the largest and most talented personal injury and clinical negligence teams in the North.”

Joanne Fisher, Active Chartered Financial Planners

Active Chartered Financial Planners has appointed Joanne Fisher as chartered financial planner.

Joanne has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, beginning her career in 1996 on the same Yorkshire Bank training course attended by Active’s director Paul Gibson.

In 2012, Joanne was one of the first female advisers to achieve chartered status with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). She has continued her studies achieving qualifications in financial protection and equity release, as well as (studies in) wills & probate.

Joanne said: “I love helping clients to achieve their financial objectives and supporting them emotionally as well as financially on the journey.

“Finance is in my DNA. My dad was North East area manager for Yorkshire Bank and branch manager at the Gresham Road (Middlesbrough) branch, so helping people with their financial planning has always been something I wanted to do.

“I’m proud to be part of the Active team. The firm has a fantastic reputation and I’m delighted to be part of it.”

Paul Gibson, director at Active Chartered Financial Planners, added: “I first met Joanne in 1996 when her father was my manager at Yorkshire Bank in Middlesbrough.

“Joanne and I were on the same training course and although our careers have taken us in different directions, we have always stayed in touch.

“When we needed to add further capacity to the team, we were delighted that the timing was finally right for all parties to come together. Joanne is an exceptional adviser with a great reputation in the North Yorkshire and County Durham area.”

Jim McNeil, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS)

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) has appointed Jim McNeil as assistant chief fire officer.

Jim, who was born in Irvine Scotland, joins NFRS from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service where he served for over 24 years, finishing his SFRS career as local senior officer for East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

In this role, Jim was responsible for the delivery of the Fire and Rescue Service across three Local Authority Areas covering a population of 350,000, from seven wholetime fire stations and four on-call / Retained Duty System stations with a total workforce of over 320 members of staff.

Jim commented: “I’m really looking forward to working with my new service, working closely with the senior leadership team and our staff to deliver our vision of making Northumberland safer.

“It’s also exciting being part of Northumberland County Council – working in collaboration to keep our communities and residents safe and well.”

Paul Hedley, NFRS chief fire officer, added: “I’m delighted to welcome such a talented and highly respected officer and Jim is an excellent appointment for us.

“He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I’m sure he’ll bring real innovation and a fresh perspective to the services we deliver for our communities and partnerships.

“I’m really excited about how he will work with all of our staff and colleagues across the County Council to shape and shape and influence the future of NFRS.”

Allen Roberton, Muckle LLP

Law firm Muckle LLP has appointed Allen Roberton as lead data and digital developer.

Allen’s appointment comes after working with Muckle for two years on a knowledge transfer partnership with Sunderland University and Innovate UK, in which he developed a product to speed up high volume, process-driven legal work such as debt recovery.

Computer science Durham University graduate Allen said: “I am thrilled to be appointed to the new data and digital team after working with the Muckle LLP for over a year on the KTP.

“I’m joining a fantastic, forward-thinking team which will ultimately transform the way the law firm operates. I’m really looking forward to driving the firm’s data and digital revolution.”

Director of business improvement, Julie Parr, added: “We are delighted to welcome Allen to our new data team, and he is already helping us use new technology and improve workflows to offer faster and better services. Through Allen’s training and development, we’re putting data at the heart of everything we do.

“We have a culture of doing things differently and by creating better services at more accessible prices creates huge market differentiation. It’s exciting, thrilling and challenging in equal measure!”

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