This week's North East appointments

Rebecca Dawson, Jacksons Law Firm

North East law firm Jacksons has appointed associate solicitor, Rebecca Dawson, who returns to Jacksons following four years at a Newcastle based firm. She is familiar with the commercial property team at Jacksons having spent two years working in the department from 2015 until 2017.

Rebecca graduated from Northumbria University with a BSc (Hons) in Building Management and went on to complete her RICS exams in building surveying. She later qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and spent four years at a prominent Newcastle law firm team before moving to an in-house legal role for North East developer, Argon Properties.

Rebecca said, “Everyone at Jacksons has made me really welcome and it almost feels like I have never been away. Most of the commercial property team I worked with before are still here and that in itself speaks volumes about the type of firm Jacksons is.

The partnership is a forward- thinking one which supports its staff in developing their career, with opportunities for everyone. It’s great to be working with a good mix of clients from a wide range of sectors, the department is really busy, the work is very interesting and challenging, just how I like it.“

Partner and head of commercial property, Erica Turner said: “We are delighted to have Rebecca working in the team again. She is an exceptionally talented lawyer and cares passionately about her clients.”

As a result of continued investment and confidence in the North East region, the commercial property team at Jacksons has seen work levels increase significantly over the last 18 months particularly in relation to development and construction related matters.“

Chloe Hanlon, Teesside International Airport

Chloe Hanlon joined Teesside Airport in early September as its Service Delivery Manager, having served in the same position at London’s Heathrow airport. It was in this position that she oversaw operations including 50 managers across four terminals.

Chloe said: “During coronavirus, everyone re-evaluated what was most important to them and, for me, that was being close to my family so I knew it was time for a move back home.

Chloe also added: “We’re doing a lot in terms of staff development – which I love being a part of – to make sure everyone here can and does give a top-quality service. Now that we’ve overhauled the terminal building, we’re also spending a lot of time refining the customer experience.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “Chloe is a great example of how our airport has been attracting the best and brightest as we’ve been creating dozens of good-quality jobs over the past few months.

“Our fantastic staff are central to making our airport as easy, quick and relaxing to use as possible so that everyone who uses our airport leaves with a smile on their face.”

Stuart Birnie, Mark Edwards, and Frankie Love, whyaye

Newcastle upon Tyne based digital transformation specialist whyaye has appointed three operational resilience specialists so as to meet increased demand and comply with key regulations, such as the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) operational resilience regulations.

Having over 20 years’ experience, working in senior roles at PwC and RBS, Stuart Birnie said: “whyaye has already built up an excellent reputation in delivering major transformation projects and I am looking forward to utilising my industry knowledge to further enhance the operational resilience and risk services we offer our customers.”

Prior to joining whyaye, Mark Edwards worked for RBS and the London Stock Exchange before 2010 where he served as a business resilience consultant, followed by a business continuity lead. Mark said: “I am delighted to be joining whyaye. It has a fun, dynamic working environment and it’s a pleasure to be a part of the team!”

Frankie Love spent ten years with RBS in business continuity planning and tooling, risk and control framework, resilience policy and assurance. Frankie added: “I was attracted to working for whyaye as I feel it offers something genuinely different to other consultancies and makes a real, long-term difference to the organisations it works with.”

Jordan Stokoe, said: “I am delighted to welcome Stuart, Mark and Frankie to the team. It’s great to have specialists of their calibre and industry experience on board as we help organisations to develop, streamline and accelerate their operational resilience programmes.”

Graeme McGregor, Ebac

North East manufacturing company Ebac has appointed a new Managing Director in Graeme McGregor, who will be working closely with the firm’s founder and chairman, John Elliott MBE, in order to build and sell more Ebac products.

Previously holding his position as managing director of Johnson Matthey for 27 years, Graeme most recently headed up the company’s new business division. Graeme has also worked for Tioxide International in South Africa, as well as former ICI business on Teesside.

Graeme is originally from South Africa, having graduated in finance from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the London Business School.

Graeme said: “Ebac is exactly the type of business that the North needs to help our economy reach its potential. It is locally owned, with specific objectives in its constitution to deliver manufactured products from factories in County Durham.

“Its focus is on designing and manufacturing great electrical products that are popular, reliable and affordable in the UK market and beyond.”

He added: “The initial phase of the development of the Ebac washing machine is over, now it is time to scale up and deliver the only UK manufactured washing machine to more consumers. “

Aidan Dodgson, Becky Yates, Chloe Francis-Holmes, Fergus Walsh, Krystal Drake, Laura Machin, Lauren Baynham, and Paige Fiedorowicz, Differentology

Newcastle based research consultancy Differentology has hired eight new employees to support its next stage of growth.

Differentology, which has an additional office base in London, provides primary research and strategic consultancy to clients across the globe, and works at the intersection of data, human behaviour, technology, and creativity, and works with clients including HSBC, Disney, Sky, Viacom, Tik Tok, and Bloomberg.

Aidan Dodgson joins Differentology’s data team as its newest executive, with Becky Yates, Chloe Francis-Holmes, Fergus Walsh, Krystal Drake, Laura Machin and Lauren Baynham all joining the business in newly created research executive roles. Paige Fiedorowicz completes the line up as assistant to the finance team.

In addition to the new hires, Differentology has promoted Oksana Uustalu to associate director, and Anna Walton to senior research executive.

Mark James, CEO of Differentology said: “All of our new starters add something unique to the existing team. It’s going to be hugely exciting to see how they grow as people, and help to drive the business forward.”

Lizzie Gilthorpe, MD added: “Both Oksana and Anna have been a key part of Differentology’s success, and we’re thrilled and proud to see them rise. At Differentology, we believe behaviours are just as important as professional skills, and our latest promotions perfectly encompass both attributes”.

Harvey Emms, Lichfields

Newcastle based Planning and development consultancy Lichfields has appointed senior director Harvey Emms as office leader in the firm’s North East office.

Harvey succeeds senior director Jonathan Wallace who remains in the office but takes up a position on the firm’s main board.

Emms, who joined Lichfields in 2014 from Newcastle City Council, has a wealth of experience working with both public and private sectors, delivering development plans and large-scale infrastructure projects across the region and Scotland.

He leads the economics team in the Newcastle office and specialises in strategic planning and developing urban regeneration schemes. He has also helped develop regional public transport policy and deliver regional transport projects.

Harvey said: “While it’s an honour to replace Jonathan and become head of office, it will remain business as usual. Jonathan and I will continue to be client facing and will continue to focus on our strategic projects.

“I will also be focussed on maintaining the steady growth we’ve enjoyed in recent years while also ensuring we continue to deliver the highest quality service to remain market leaders in the North East.”

Terri Lewis and Megan Hoffman, Global Procurement Group

Senior female business leaders Terri Lewis and Megan Hoffman, who specialise in talent acquisition, learning and development, have joined B2B energy consultancy Global Procurement Group.

Terri Lewis has joined as global talent acquisition director, while Megan Hofmann is the company’s new global organisational development director. These appointments follow the successful appointment of Brendan Garvey, chief people officer in August 2021.

Having previously held a position as a consultant within the recruitment division of Newcastle Building Society, as well as national recruitment consultant with EE, she brings 13 years’ experience to the role.

She comments: “It’s exciting to have joined the business at the start of its transformational journey. I love a challenge and it’s great that I will get to have a direct impact on the organisation during this period of change. I have been welcomed and immediately feel that I am part of the vision and mission of the company.”

Megan Hofmann started her career with Orange in the Learning and Development function. She then spent 14 years at Barclays PLC, achieving several promotions to the role of Global Leadership Trainer, with her key focus being to support people learn, develop and reach their full potential.

Megan said: “I have a passion for helping people reach their potential both professionally and personally. I’m excited to be able to join the business at a point in its journey where I can have a substantial impact on the Learning and Development function.”

Brendan Garvey, GPG’s Chief People Officer, said of the appointments, “These are exceptional leaders in their fields and we are delighted as a business to have more extremely talented professionals join us at such an important point in our journey.”

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