Law firm Swinburne Maddison LLP has announced a series of internal promotions.
Five lawyers have been promoted to managing associate and two to associate. Promotions include Amy Pyman, a solicitor in the private client team, and Jenna Keir-Kendrew to managing associate.
Within the corporate and commercial team, both Matt Ray and Rebecca Logue have been promoted to managing associate. Rebecca Harper, a long-standing member of the residential property team, also steps up to managing associate. Kelly Jefferson, from the dispute resolution team, and Mary Feather, from the commercial property team, have both been promoted to associate.
Jonathan Moreland, managing partner, said: “Recognising and developing our people is at the heart of Swinburne Maddison’s long-term success. These promotions reflect not only individual excellence but also a collective drive to deliver outstanding service to our clients. Each individual has shown unwavering dedication and ambition, and we are proud to support them as they take the next step in their careers.”
A North Tyneside platform aimed at simplifying global digital health services has appointed Dominic James to its advisory board.
Mr James, the former global head of digital health innovation at US pharma giant Merck, is to take up the role with the Whitley Bay healthtech platform Daiser . Launched last year by Mike Trenell and Adam Wooton, Daiser is a platform which helps people make and use digital health services quickly and without technical experience.
Mr James brings three decades of experience as a successful innovation consultancy co-founder, management consulting partner and data scientist.
He said: “From our first meeting, it was clear that Mike and I shared a belief that the implementation of digital health solutions are too difficult and too expensive - that common thread allowed us to explore ideas very quickly. When he revealed he was launching a platform that aimed to solve those issues, I knew I wanted to lean in."
Ford Aerospace has expanded its engineering team with the appointment of Nakul Narashima Murthy as a junior manufacturing engineer.
Mr Narashima Murthy, who joined as an intern last year, is based at the precision component specialists’ base at Tyne Dock in South Shields, where he will be focused on supporting operational processes as well as the development of new projects.
He said: “I learned so much during my internship at Ford Aerospace and to get a permanent role here is amazing. A lot of my MSc studies focused on CAD and analysis software, which I really enjoy but seeing how things work in practice and having the opportunity to work with different departments as well as with our US colleagues in the wider SPIROL group takes it to another level. Everyone has been so supportive, and it has really helped me to develop my skills and to grow in confidence.”
Operations manager Karl Dambers said: “Nakul’s can-do addition and passion for learning makes him a fantastic addition to the engineering team. During his internship Nakul continued to impress us with his technical and analytical skills, so when the opportunity arose, we were delighted to be able to offer him a permanent role."
Executive producer, voice director and podcast expert Ella Watts has joined the team at Gateshead based Candle & Bell to develop its audio content and output.
Following the success of their first podcast “The Newcastle Witches Podcast” in 2022 and the popular BBC Radio 4 sitcom “Tom and Lauren are Going OOT!” released last year, the female-led production company aims to continue developing original content and storytelling on radio and podcasting.
Ms Watts worked as a podcast producer at BBC Studios, moving onto Six to Start, the company behind award-winning gaming app Zombies, Run! She then became head of production, leading on the company’s Marvel Move project in partnership with Marvel Comics.
She said: “I’m so thrilled to be working with Candle and Bell. It’s a great feeling to get to work beside two women as experienced and skilled as Maria and Zahra, who are championing marginalised voices in the media industry and making great stories at the same time. This is exactly where I want to be and what I want to be doing.”
Law firm Ward Hadaway has promoted 11 team members in its Newcastle office.
They form part of a group wide round of promotions in which 22 people are progressing to new roles.
The Newcastle promotions include one new partner - James Donnelly in the health and care advisory team - six managing associates, three associates and two directors. They span practice areas including public sector, construction, employment, company commercial, social housing, corporate recovery and insolvency and real estate.
Nick Gholkar, executive partner in the Newcastle office at Ward Hadaway, said: “These promotions reflect the hard work, dedication and talent of our people. We’re incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built where talented lawyers can thrive and progress their careers. We’re focused on ensuring that Ward Hadaway remains the place to grow and we’re excited to see what this group will achieve in their new roles."
Newcastle law firm Mincoffs Solicitors has welcomed associate solicitor Hannah Rolfe to its real estate team.
Ms Rolfe, who has a decade of experience, initially joined the Manchester office of a multinational firm before relocating to the North East where she spent time at a Newcastle law firm and worked in-house for a FTSE 250 company.
She said: “Following my decision to return to private practice, I was drawn to Mincoffs for its prestigious clientele and the range of interesting work they are involved in. I was made to feel welcome from my first interview with the team, and the friendly and inclusive culture at the firm was what cemented my decision to join.
“I am looking forward to further developing my skills, supporting clients with their commercial property needs and working closely with the rest of the team on a wide range of transactions.”
