Changes at Sheepfolds, Theakston, NCBF, Knight Frank and NEPIC

Sheepfolds

Sheepfolds Stables has announced the appointment of Sam Hufton as Deputy Manager ahead of its official launch on Friday.

The keenly anticipated food, drink, events and entertainment venue will offer an eclectic mix of high-quality independent hospitality operators along with a regular lineup of entertainment listings, social, business and pop-up events, weddings and private parties.

Sam, from London, brings more than ten years’ experience to Wearside having worked in the City and across Europe for renowned and high-volume multi-venue sites. This includes award-winning bars, restaurants, theatres and micro-breweries, successfully managing hospitality teams in popular high footfall and high-pressure environments.

Sam, who will lead a team of 40 plus full and part time service staff currently being recruited, said: “To join Sheepfolds Stables right from the start is an amazing opportunity, especially given the anticipation and huge excitement that has been building for some time now online and amongst people locally.

“It is going to be a fantastic addition to Sunderland and the wider North East social scene, so being able to bring my experience to Wearside was an opportunity not to miss. I can’t wait to get started and welcome our customers through the door.”

Theakston

Independent Yorkshire brewery, T&R Theakston has recruited a flurry of new team members in readiness for its Visitor Centre’s busiest season.

In readiness for the summer ahead, new Visitor Centre Manager Nichola Bramley will be joined by Visitor Centre Ambassadors & Tour Guides Dave Harley and Bee Horner, as the Masham brewery prepares to welcome hundreds of beer-lovers to its Visitor Centre, The Black Bull in Paradise.

Managing Director of Theakston’s Brewery, Richard Bradbury said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Nichola, Dave and Bee to the Black Bull in Paradise and to the Theakston team. With another busy summer in full flow, their skills and experience across hospitality, customer services and marketing will be invaluable in ensuring every visitor to T&R Theakston gets a warm welcome and enjoys a memorable experience learning how we craft some of the country’s best beers, including the iconic Old Peculier.”

Established in 1982, the Visitor Centre provides beer fans the opportunity to go beyond the bar and see behind the scenes of the brewery’s almost 200 years of history. Visitors are able to sample Theakston’s core range of ales and learn about the ingredients and expertise which go into creating the perfect pint through one of the guided brewery tours.

NCBF

Northern Counties Builders Federation, has confirmed Angela Carney as its new president. Angela, managing director at Carney Consultancy, has worked in the construction industry for more than 30 years. She sits on several industry boards and is highly respected for her commitment to bridging the skills gap and helping females enter the sector.

Angela takes on the role from Tony Kay, who has been chair since 2020. Supporting Angela in her new role is Matthew McCarrick, managing director at McCarrick Construction, who becomes senior vice president. Chris Morris, company secretary at Compass Developments is appointed junior vice president.

Angela said: “As a collective, our role is to help facilitate the development and maintenance of a sustainable North East construction industry. We want to continue to provide a voice to SMEs in the region, offer careers advice, support the upskill of employees and trade apprenticeships and to highlight that the construction sector offers long term careers.”

NEPIC

Nepic has recently made two new appointments and an internal promotion to enhance its membership offering.
As the largest process cluster in the UK representing over 320 companies, the North East of England Process Industry Cluster has welcomed Anya Farlow as membership account manager, Leighton Stonehouse as events and marketing apprentice, while Abigail Bell has been promoted to events and sponsorship manager.

Joanne Fryett, Anya Farlow, Abigail-Bell Leighton-Stonehouse (Image: NEPIC)
The new actions will add value to the NEPIC community with Anya’s extensive background in key account managing to connect and grow members’ networks and Abigail overseeing events to create a more streamlined service for the membership.

Leighton becomes the organisation’s first apprentice, undertaking the qualification with the Education Training Collective (Etc.), and funded through an apprenticeship levy gifted by px Group, cementing all three organisations’ commitment to providing opportunities for young people in the area.

Katie Woods-Ruddick, chief people officer at px Group said: “We are delighted to be able to work with NEPIC to transfer Levy funds which has helped them employ their first ever apprentice. At px we fully understand the importance and value of employing apprentices and we glad we have been able to support NEPIC.”

Etc.’s group marketing and business engagement director, Erika Marshall added: “At the Etc. we are proud to be working with NEPIC, and px Group, on the delivery of training for NEPIC’s first apprentice, and we look forward to supporting Leighton as he takes what we know will be an exciting first step in his career.”

The positive changes come following the news that Joanne Fryett was formally appointed as CEO, moving from her previous interim position, becoming the organisation’s first female leader.

She said: “We are delighted to welcome Anya and Leighton to the team and are thrilled to have Abigail progressing her career with us. We recognise that the future of our industry lies with the younger generation and therefore we are dedicated to ensuring that young people have the opportunity to develop their careers within our organisation.”

Knight Frank

Knight Frank has welcomed four new commercial property professionals to its Newcastle team.
Experienced surveyor, Felicity Martin, has joined as senior surveyor in the property asset management team. She will help manage 20 million square feet of north east commercial space from industrial estates, to shopping centres, to multi-let offices - working alongside partners, Jason Wall and Elizabeth Fletcher.

Jamie Parker, Felicity Martin, Ashleigh Kirkup, John Edwards (Image: Knight Frank)
Ashleigh Kirkup has taken on a senior surveyor role in the building consultancy department. Ash joins from Workman LLP and has previously worked for Knight Frank in their Leeds and Newcastle offices. She will carry out building surveys as well as project manage new builds, extensions, refurbishments and fit-outs of commercial properties

Two graduate surveyors have also been appointed – Jamie Parker, who is working in the industrial agency team, and John Edwards who is supporting partner, Dickon Wood, in the capital markets service line.

Felicity, who has 14 years’ property experience, said: “From the moment I walked through the door, I instantly felt at home. There are lots of friendly faces and a real buzz in the air. The job is so varied day to day, taking me out and about, meeting such a diverse range of people, which is what I enjoy.”

shleigh Kirkup said: “I started my career as a placement student in the Leeds office before joining the Newcastle team during my final year studying Building Surveying at Northumbria University. Due to unprecedented times – the pandemic - I joined another local building consultancy team where I completed my chartership. Four years later and I’m back at Knight Frank. It feels like I never left.”

Head of the Newcastle office, Ian Tew, said: “We are incredibly busy so these four new colleagues have had to hit the ground running. Recruitment is tough in this industry right now so it’s taken us a long time to find Felicity, Ashley, Jamie and John because we’ve held out for the best talent and the best fit with the team.”