A BUSINESSiQ round-up of the key moves at influential companies around the North East - who’s in and who’s out

 

EMG

AN award winning Legal 500 law firm has promoted two long-standing members of its team to its Board of Directors.

EMG Solicitors, which has offices across the North, in Durham, Newcastle, Darlington, Penrith, and Manchester, has recently appointed Head of the Court of Protection Health and Welfare team, Eilish Ferry-Kennington and Gemma Holmes, of the Family Law team, as directors.

Eilish said: “With the exciting growth of the team and the opening of three new offices, it felt like the right time to apply for the training programme.

“It was hard work, but it has been very rewarding. The firm’s commitment to career progression is very impressive and they’ve continually invested in and supported me to achieve my goals.”

Gemma, who joined EMG in 2019 and had also risen through the ranks to become a senior associate solicitor before her latest promotion.

She said: “When I first joined the team, I was one of only two solicitors in the family law department, supported by a legal secretary. We now have 11 colleagues in the team, operating from four different offices.”

Managing Director, Emma Gaudern, said that the promotion of both Eilish and Gemma highlights their expertise and hard work.

“The process of becoming a director is a tough one but I’m delighted that they have both put in the time, effort and commitment and have received their well-deserved places on the Board.”

 

NPP

Leading packaging and machinery specialists NPP has announced the appointment of John James as Account Manager, as part of their UK expansion.

John’s day-to-day responsibilities will involve furthering existing client relationships while also activating new leads and onboarding new clients.

With over 10 years of experience in the packaging industry, John will help to contribute by using his strategic skills and sharing industry knowledge as part of a team effort to grow the client portfolio of NPP across the UK.

NPP combines best in class packaging, high performance machinery and systems along with a partnership approach to offer a complete packaging solution.

 

Kingsmere

A Newcastle outsourced financial director firm, Kingsmere Financial Directors, is expanding.

Founded by Geoff Maclauchlan, Kingsmere Finance Directors delivers outsourced Finance Director support to a wide range of growing businesses, and increasing demand for an outsourced, part time or ‘fractional’ FD resource prompted Geoff to develop the Kingsmere team by introducing four additional FDs - Bob Evans, Harriet King, Steven Jones, and Alister Brown. The team will also be supported internally by Finance Manager, Nina Evans.

Geoff Maclauchlan said: “After some years of uncertainty across the business landscape, it is encouraging to see the brand grow and evolve and be able to fill the high-level financial expertise gap that so many businesses are starting to realise they’re missing.”

 

Crest Nicholson

Award-winning housebuilder, Crest Nicholson, has announced the appointment of Natalie Haigh as Head of Sales and Marketing for its new Yorkshire division.

Natalie, who has worked for Crest Nicholson since February 2020, said: “It’s an exciting opportunity to lead the opening of a new region, and I am looking forward to building the Crest Nicholson brand in the north.”

 

Descycle

A company planning a revolutionary recycling facility on Teesside has made major changes to its board.

The Northern Echo: Ian CockerillIan Cockerill (Image: Press release)

Descycle’s plant is due to be live next year and will have the capacity to recycle 5,000 tonnes per annum of printed circuit boards and other high value WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) at a fraction of the cost of conventional smelting operations.

Ian Cockerill, a senior figure within the metals industry, joins the company as Independent Non-Executive Chairman, succeeding Geoff McNamara who will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director.

Ian has over four decades of experience in the metals industry beginning his career as a geologist before converting to engineering. During his career he has held senior roles covering operational, project and executive positions around the world.

Ian is an Independent Non Executive of Director of BHP Group Limited (since April 2019), one of the World’s largest metal producers, Senior Independent Director of Endeavour Mining Corporation (since May 2022), as well as the Chair of Cornish Lithium Plc (since April 2022) and a Non-Executive Director of I-Pulse Inc (since September 2010), two privately held companies which are focused on sustainable technology in the metals sector and supporting the transition to net zero.

Ian Cockerill said: “I am very excited to be taking on the role of Chair at Descycle.

"The potential applications for DES in the metals industry are very significant and wide ranging. Reducing the environmental impact of metals recovery is of paramount importance as we transition to net zero and Descycle can help lead the charge on this.

“The Company’s sustainability ambitions align with my own and I am looking forward to supporting the management team to commercialise what is an incredibly disruptive and exciting technology. Chris Smith, CEO and founder of TSP Ventures, an early-stage impact fund focused on climate change and a shareholder in Descycle, has also been appointed a Non-Executive Director. Dr Rob Harris, Chief Technology Officer of Descycle, and Fred White, Chief Operating Officer of Descycle, have also been appointed to the Board.

 

GNAAS

Great North Air Ambulance Service has announced experienced governance professional Jonathan Jowett as the chair of the Board of Trustees.

The Northern Echo: Jonathan Jowett, David Stockton, Lauren HuntingtonJonathan Jowett, David Stockton, Lauren Huntington (Image: Press release)

Lauren Huntington has also been appointed as a trustee of the charity. She is deputy director (alumni and supporter engagement) at Newcastle University and will work with the team on marketing, external engagement and fundraising to help ensure GNAAS is well-known and well-funded.

Jonathan, who is company secretary and general counsel at Greggs plc, is the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director at Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust and has previous charitable experience following a nine-year trusteeship at The Percy Hedley Foundation, ultimately as its Chair.

He was appointed following a rigorous selection process, led by the Nominations Committee of the Board of Trustees and chief executive David Stockton. Jonathan lives on the Durham/Northumberland border and hails from Darlington, and includes in his portfolio of activities a directorship of Darlington FC.

He said: “As soon as I visited the Great North Air Ambulance Service I knew that this was a charity I would love to be involved with.

“The reality is that the charity is not just about the helicopters. It aims to provide 24 hour support across the North East and Cumbria, both in the air and on the road attending major incidents.

“The main challenge we are facing is keeping the helicopters in the air and the cars on the road. As a trust board we have overall responsibility for making sure the governance of the charity works, the funding is in place and to support the executive team on a day to day basis. It’s a fantastic opportunity to help make a real difference.”

David Stockton, chief executive of GNAAS said: “Jonathan’s business acumen, and likeability will undoubtedly be a significant asset going forward at a time when costs are rising and giving is down. This is a significant challenge and one which Jonathan and Lauren are more than equipped to support us with.”