Gateshead based cloud and digital business specialist Synergi has announced a series of key appointments, including a new director level role, as it continues its growth trajectory.
Sarah Cooper joins as operations director, bringing with her a 15-year background in service and operational excellence roles in the IT industry – including spells with several of the region’s leading IT and digital companies.
New marketing manager Nikki Peacock is a specialist business-to-business and retail marketer, having held senior in-house and agency-side roles. Her career includes working with high-profile names in the financial services, retail and travel sectors in London and Yorkshire.
Dominic Falconer takes up the role of business intelligence consultant and has a background in data analytics, reporting and business intelligence – including six years with Northern Rock.
Business intelligence consultant and developer Emma Pardines joins the business having moved to the region from Aberdeen last year.
She brings with her a degree in Computer Science and a 12-year career as a software developer with wide-ranging experience of various software platforms, primarily working Scotland’s oil and gas sector.
Synergi’s CEO Peter Joynson said: “We are delighted to welcome our latest group of new staff.
“These new roles are part of a long-term strategy which will see us create at least nine new jobs this year in support of a strategic growth plan which includes boosting turnover by 40%, launching a new service line and establishing a presence in two more geographical areas.
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“Achieving those aims relies on recruiting people with the right talent, experience and attitude and encouraging their career development with a supportive company culture.
“We look forward to all of our new recruits becoming real assets to the business and playing a key part in our continuing growth.”
The dispute resolution team at Sintons has expanded with the addition of a new solicitor.
Adam Hutton has relocated to the North East from Bristol to join Sintons’ award-winning dispute resolution team.
A dispute resolution specialist, Mr Hutton advises both commercial and individual clients on a variety of matters, including contractual disputes and professional negligence.
He said: “I am very pleased to join Sintons and relocate to the North East to do so.
“The dispute resolution team enjoys a first-rate reputation and is regularly involved in matters on a national basis, so this is a very exciting opportunity for me.
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“I pride myself on the open and honest advice I give to clients and always actively look for solutions to assist them – and this is an ethos which runs throughout the team at Sintons.”
Angus Ashman, head of the dispute resolution team at Sintons, said: “We have seen strong growth for some time and continue to receive new instructions from clients across the 海角视频.
“As such, we need to grow our team to help accommodate this demand, as well as to take advantage of future opportunities.
“Adam arrives with a strong reputation for his work and we are very pleased he has chosen to join us. We look forward to working with him.”
North East research and marketing agency MMC has appointed Vicki Shouksmith as research and project manager to strengthen its team.
The Sunderland-based agency took the decision to appoint during the current climate to enhance its existing research offer, particularly to support its work around economic recovery, policy and public health research.
Mrs Shouksmith will be joining a research team headed up by Dr Kirsty Laing, a highly-experienced senior research professional with a strong background in public health and academic research, as well as broader public and private-sector experience.
An experienced market research analyst, Mrs Shouksmith has worked within the advertising and tourism sectors and has previously run research projects on behalf of Leeds BID, Channel 4, the BBC, Exterion Media and Northumberland National Park.
She will be involved in a range of client projects including several which respond directly to the current climate including Bernicia’s investigation into agile working post lockdown, Sunderland BID’s city centre research – which will have a core focus on recovery – and MMC’s own research project exploring the impact of lockdown on the mental health of business owners.
She said: “Starting a new role virtually is strange but being handed projects from day one has meant I already feel like part of the team.
“There is lots to learn, but questionnaire design and reporting skills are easily transferrable so I have been able to get started quite easily.”
The North East’s largest building society has appointed Manila McLean as chief information officer and newest member of its executive team.
With over 20 years’ experience in financial services, Mrs McLean joined Newcastle Building Society’s technology subsidiary Newcastle Strategic Solutions last year as its digital director following 10 years as head of digital at Tesco Bank.
She said: “Our digital profile is particularly strong and through Newcastle Strategic Solutions we’re a market-leading provider of technology solutions for the financial services sector.
“The industry as a whole faces significant challenges following the Covid-19 outbreak and we’re seeing businesses around the world begin to adapt to a ‘new normal’ and put an even greater demand on technology.
“At Newcastle Building Society this means ensuring the technology we develop helps to deliver and meet the future needs of our customers, clients and colleagues and I’m looking forward to helping the society continue its digital journey.”
Originally from Glasgow, Mrs McLean has worked in Germany and throughout the 海角视频 and is now settled in the North East with her family.
Andrew Haigh, chief executive at Newcastle Building Society, said: “Manila brings a unique set of skills and experience in customer-focused digital technologies and her leadership will be increasingly relevant as we continue to develop our proposition and customer experience for both the Society and Newcastle Strategic Solutions. “
Grainger plc, the 海角视频’s largest listed residential landlord, has appointed Paul Glibbery as chief information officer with responsibility for driving Grainger’s technology transformation.
The appointment follows the Newcastle-listed landlord’s significant investment in its technology platform, Connect, a solution to enhance the customer experience, improve operational efficiencies further and protect Grainger’s licence to operate.
Mr Glibbery joins Grainger with more than 20 years of extensive experience leading the delivery of global technology and digital business transformation programmes for major brands including Hewlett Packard, Airbus and Fujitsu.
Helen Gordon, Chief Executive said: “This senior appointment will help drive our technology transformation and the roll-out of CONNECT, which has proved highly valuable during the current market conditions.”
Queensway Orthodontics has announced Gavin Bennett has been appointed its new managing director.
He will help lead the development and strategic direction of Queensway Orthodontics, supporting its plans to grow further sites, while working alongside partner and specialist orthodontist Dr Guy Deeming.
Founded in 2008, Queensway Orthodontics has sites in Jesmond and Billingham providing a range of specialist orthodontic care and offering a wide range of treatment options for children, teenagers and adults.
Queensway Orthodontics has already grown its 30-strong workforce by a further 25 in 2020 – with more recruitment planned for later in the summer.
Mr Bennett said: “Joining Queensway Orthodontics as managing director is one of my greatest achievements and is the highlight of my working life.”