New appointments at WBD, Burnetts, and Port of Tyne

The operation will be led by Senior Sales Engineer Mark Walsh, a veteran of the industry with more than 20 years’ experience working with the likes of Kooltech and Midea UK.

Coolair Equipment Limited, which is headquartered in Manchester with offices in Maidstone and the Midlands, will now establish a permanent base in Newcastle, headed-up by Mark.

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Mark, a native of Newcastle Upon Tyne, said: “Coolair Equipment Limited is renowned within the industry and I know it is a company to grow with.

“I am confident that together we can establish a firm holding in the area that has been my ‘patch’ for over 20 years. We have high ambitions for the future and I am looking forward to seeing Coolair Equipment Limited reach them.”

Growing North East based business, Solarglide, has appointed Cliff Sainsbury, as Marketing Co-ordinator, who brings a wealth of experience from multiple industries.

Cliff has a unique perspective on the marketing landscape and will help Solarglide thrive throughout 2022 and beyond.

As an industry leader in marine blinds and window coverings based in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Solarglide was looking for someone to help them grow and adapt in an ever changing marketing environment - with Cliff’s experience, drive and innovation, appointing him was a no brainer.

From Heaton in Newcastle upon Tyne, Cliff attended Newcastle College studying Fine Art and Graphic Design. Having shown a passion for creative design he then decided to enrol at Northumbria University to study Media and Communications.

Showing a passion for entrepreneurship, in his final year of university Cliff started his own marketing company called Peep Magazine which focused on photography and alternative journalism.

Burnetts Solicitors LLP, which has offices in Cumbria and Newcastle, has announced that Corporate Partner Michael Walby will become the new Head of Department of the Corporate team.

The current Head Vaughan Jones is stepping down from the role after a highly successful tenure, having led the team through transactions with an aggregate value approaching £200m during 2021.

Michael has been with Burnetts since 2015 and provides a full range of Corporate advice to businesses, specialising in M&A transactions. He is ranked as a “Leading Individual” in Legal 500, the only Cumbria-based Corporate lawyer to receive this accolade.

Industry-leading adhesives manufacturer, Advanced Adhesives, which is based in central Newcastle, has expanded its technical sales team with Andrew Bates.

Andrew is the fifth new employee to join the rapidly growing team at Advanced since the start of the year.

He will provide sales support and technical service across Advanced Adhesives’ range, both internally and externally, working alongside Advanced’s other solutions providers.

The role will involve leading product testing in Advanced Adhesives’ applications centre as well as visiting customers’ sites to provide support, advice and training.

Marketing services partner Different Narrative has hired a new batch of talent to spearhead its expansion plans for 2022.
In February two of the most established creative agencies in the North East - Different Advertising, Design and Marketing and Narrative Integrated Communications - merged to become Different Narrative, the region’s largest end-to-end marketing services provider.
And after appointing several highly experienced professionals, the firm is poised for an exciting year of growth. Kieron Goldsborough, founder of Narrative Integrated Communications and now CEO of Different Narrative, said, “Our merger has enabled us to enhance our client delivery, which in turn will allow us to drive new business potential forward. The appointments we are announcing will play an integral role in our plans for the business over the next 12 months and we are bringing together the best of North East talent”
As the team’s new Head of PR, Aoife Forbes brings 20 years of experience to the role. Aoife joined the firm in late 2021, with both in-house and agency expertise under her belt. Also joining the PR team is Patrick O’Kane, a PR and Content Manager, who has worked across the journalism and PR sector for more than ten years.
Kathryn Bradshaw has 30 years of experience as a global marketing services provider, servicing companies across 23 EMEA countries. As Financial Controller, she will oversee all finance-related operations.
Stephanie Stobbs has worked in the housing marketing sector for five years and joins the client services team alongside client managers Kimberleigh Snyman, Amy Parker, and client partner Matthew Foy.
As the firm’s newest designer Beth Richardson brings five years of industry experience after graduating from the University of Sunderland in 2016. Creative Copy Lead Sue Storey returns to the team after two years client-side as UKI brand writer for Sage software, where she won the Grand Prix and Best Use of TikTok at last year’s B2B Marketing Awards.
Ben Quigley, CEO of Different and Executive Chairman of Different Narrative, explained, “As we emerge from the pandemic, we know an independent agency like ourselves has a great opportunity to move into positions once taken by the big corporate firms.”

Ian Finch

Port of Tyne, one of the UK’s major deep-sea ports, has appointed Ian Finch as Commercial Director for New Business.
Ian’s career began in the metrology, SPC (Statistical Process Control) and industrial automation sectors, where he developed automation solutions for food, beverage, automotive, mining, metals, utilities and fast moving consumer goods industries. This included 12 years at Rockwell Automation where he managed regional sales teams and worked as National Key Account Manager for several automotive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
In 2008, Ian joined Narec, the National Renewable Energy Centre (now part of ORE Catapult), where he managed major projects to decarbonise social housing and to develop energy master plans for local authorities, including installation of hundreds of electric vehicle charging points. Later, Ian joined Narec’s Marine and Offshore division, selling its world-leading wind turbine blade and nacelle test facilities to wind, wave and tidal OEMs.
More recently, he held Global Business Development positions for Offshore Renewables at DNV and Bureau Veritas – two of the world’s leading Testing Inspection and Classification Societies. He has a passion for clean energy and engineering, and is an active member and past Chairman of the Institution of Engineering and Technology Northumbria Network.
Charlotte Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Port of Tyne, said: “It is fantastic to have Ian on board, he joins a great team during what is a really exciting time for the Port as we continue to grow across all spheres of our business. Ian’s experience in the offshore renewables sector will be a great addition and bring even more focus during what is a really transformational time for the industry.”
Ian replied: “I am delighted to be joining Port of Tyne at this incredibly exciting time for the energy sector. The Port is positioned to support the renewables industry, from construction to operations and maintenance facilities for offshore wind farms, and is already building a world-class base for SSE Renewables’ & Equinor’s Dogger Bank Wind Farm O&M facility.”

The Womble Bond Dickinson changes

Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson has confirmed a number of senior promotions across its UK offices, including three new Partners and one Legal Director in the firm’s Newcastle office.
Stacey Hall, Sarah Daun and Gavin Ellison have been promoted to Partner, and Liz Evans has been promoted to Legal Director.
Stacey predominantly focuses on corporate transactional work and has experience working for serial acquirers, owner-managers and investors, and has been involved in some of the region’s leading deals.
Sarah specialises in privacy law and has significant experience of drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements across the public, private and third sectors on a national and international basis, with a focus on the manufacturing sector.
Gavin has over 15 years’ experience acting for trustees and employers on pensions law, working with clients on formulating and progressing benefit restructuring and transition management exercises for a combination of defined benefit, hybrid and defined contribution schemes.
Liz’s principal focus is commercial landlord and tenant work and investment property sales and acquisitions. She has experience of acting for both investors and owner/occupiers in the acquisition and disposal of commercial properties, as well as acting for both landlords and tenants on commercial lease arrangements.
Nigel Emmerson, head of WBD’s Newcastle office, commented: “I am thrilled that the Newcastle team is set to benefit from the expertise of three new partners and a new legal director.
“Working across a variety of specialisms, Stacey, Sarah, Gavin and Liz all exemplify the high level of talent we aim to attract, nurture and develop at WBD.”
The good news in Newcastle is part of a wider raft of promotions across WBD’s offices in the UK including 10 partner and three legal director promotions.
Paul Stewart, UK managing partner at WBD, commented: “I am delighted to offer my congratulations to all of our new partners and legal directors, whose hard work, commitment and contribution to the growth of our business deserves to be recognised and celebrated.
“Being able to reward those who have demonstrated such passion and expertise is an absolute pleasure, and I look forward to seeing our new partners and legal directors thrive in their new roles.”
The firm also recently appointed Stephen Hands as Senior Counsel.
Stephen joins the firm’s commercial team, bringing with him more than 25 years of legal and energy and industrial sector expertise.
Beginning his career in 1990, Stephen has worked for a wide range of businesses including Rolls Royce and Enron Europe. Most recently, he was Head of Legal & Compliance at SembCorp. Stephen brings with him a unique blend of experience in relation to developing and running industrial sites and capital projects associated with the generation, purchase and supply of power and utilities and providing site services.
Commenting on his appointment, Stephen added: “It is a pleasure to join the team at Womble Bond Dickinson. I look forward to drawing on my experience in both the legal and energy sectors to further bolster the firm’s commercial offering and support its clients to enhance their sustainability strategies.”
Stephen will work closely with Peter Snaith, WBD Partner and fellow Teesside industry expert, who also spent time in the region in his early career, working at ICI and latterly INEOS. Between them, the two have 50 years of combined experience of working across Teesside’s industrial sectors.
Peter commented: “I am delighted to welcome Stephen to the WBD team. I know that Stephen will fit in very well working with our commercial and construction teams, energy regulatory team and other specialists. Stephen will be uniquely placed to support our clients as they look to decarbonise and tackle the energy transition.
“Stephen’s appointment will help to further strengthen our offering in the North East and Yorkshire, particularly our work in Teesside supporting local businesses and inward investors and also following our appointment as an official legal partner to Tees Valley Combined Authority.”