Chartered accountancy firm Mullen Stoker has appointed Cathy Eales and Steve Hutton as it targets further growth this year.
Ms Eales joins the company as an accountant, having worked in the sector for over 30 years, to drive Mullen Stoker’s growth in Northumberland, specifically within the rural and farming industries which is her specialism.
The firm, based at Mandale Business Park at Belmont in Durham, has appointed Mr Hutton as an expert within auditing and compliance.
The appointments take the team to 14, with further plans to recruit as the company’s client portfolio grows.
Mullen Stoker was founded 11 years ago by Gary Stoker and Neil Mullen and has enjoyed year on year growth since.
Mr Stoker said: “Attracting people of Cathy and Steve’s calibre will ensure we build on the success we’ve enjoyed in our first 11 years and help us realise our ambitious vision to establish the business as the leading chartered accountancy and IT specialist in the North East region.”
Newcastle-based alcoholic tea brand Noveltea has appointed Michael Vachon as non-executive director as the company continues to grow after receiving £1.4m investment.
Mr Vachon joins the board offering a decade of expertise within the drinks industry as co-founder of award-winning craft spirits distributor Maverick Drinks.
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Originally from the US, Mr Vachon has workedwith category heavyweights in the 海角视频 and across Europe. His latest venture is Citizens of Soil, a brand of household staples that champions independent producers and promotes soil health.
He said: “Noveltea is such an exciting brand and its products appeal to everyone from tea lovers, to craft spirits enthusiasts, to those seeking a bit more balance in their lives. The team have made some remarkable progress so far and I’m looking forward to helping accelerate their growth in the years ahead.”
Vincent Efferoth, co-founder and managing director, said: “Michael’s combination of innovative thinking, strategic expertise, and passion for high-quality and purpose-led craft spirits made him the perfect candidate to join Noveltea as a board member as we continue to build on our successes and drive new avenues for the business.
“We’re really excited to work with Michael and have his support and expertise as we continue to introduce our unique and premium products to new customers.”
Tourism and inward investment agency NewcastleGateshead Initiative has appointed Alys Dunn as head of strategic partnerships, a new role for the organisation.
Ms Dunn, who took up the position last month, will lead on a programme of strategic partnerships that will support NGI’s wider organisational ambitions.
She will work to identify, develop and retain a portfolio of key partners and ambassadors that will help drive economic development and further position Newcastle and Gateshead as an international destination of choice, inspiring people to visit, and to live, learn, work, and invest in the region.
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She has 17 years’ experience in partnership and business development roles in London, the Middle East and the North East, including posts at digital marketing agency Mediaworks and Newcastle University.
She said: “As a proud ‘adopted Geordie’, having lived and worked in London and Dubai for over 12 years prior to making the move to the North East, I am excited that this role gives me the unique opportunity to contribute to the region’s economic development – something that is needed now more than ever. Partnerships are a two-way street and I look forward to getting to know our partners, so together we can maximise the profile and development of our fantastic region.”
Sarah Green, chief executive of NGI said: “Alys joins our senior management team with a strong track record and vast experience in managing programmes of strategic partnerships. Collaboration will be critical to restarting our city and rebuilding our economy post Covid and we will be working closely with our 170 public and private sector partners to enable our region to build back stronger.”
Visitor destination and distillery Ad Gefrin has appointed Ben Murphy as head distiller.
Work is now under way on the tourist attraction in Wooler, Northumberland, which will provide opportunity, employment and a unique taste of the Cheviots and the Borders.
Mr Murphy has been appointed to guide Ad Gefrin towards producing the first Northumbrian English Single Malt Whisky.
A graduate of Heriot-Watt University’s Brewing and Distilling School in Edinburgh, Mr Murphy’s whisky journey to Northumberland has taken him to volunteering at Rock Town Distillery in Arkansas, US, and to Berentsens Brygghus in Egersund, Norway, where he was head distiller. As well as being head distiller and senior brewer at Liverpool Craft Beer Company Ltd and The Ginsmiths of Liverpool, and more recently he was head distiller at Poetic License Distillery in Sunderland, where he was brought in specifically to develop new products and improve and refine operations.
Ad Gefrin aims to be able to begin distilling their first spirit in late spring 2022. The very first single malt Ad Gefrin whisky will be ready exactly three years and a day after the distilling has commenced.
He said: “North Northumberland and Glendale in particular were already very special to my wife and I, and we love to visit. The people have a great warmth and the landscape is stunning. Ad Gefrin’s sense of community, mixed with an absolute commitment to provenance - with barley literally on our doorstep, Cheviot water drawn from under our feet – makes this an incredible opportunity for any distiller.”
Ouseburn based Vida Creative has welcomed Laura Chisholm to the team as account manager.
Specialising in the creation of website design, content marketing and branding, the team at Vida Creative work in partnership with businesses across the 海角视频, with recent wins including web design and marketing for the 海角视频’s first socially distanced gig venue, Virgin Money Unity Arena.
Ms Chisholm brings further skills to the experienced team of seven, having previously held public relations executive and social media manager positions.
Ellen Hedley co-founder of Vida Creative said: “We’re proud to have continued with our plans to grow despite another national lockdown. Laura joins us at a very exciting time, we’ve grown from operating as a duo, to a team of seven. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the office when we can. It’ll be great to have the whole team in one room as so far, we’ve not been able to. At present we’re working closely with businesses to help them navigate and adjust to life during a pandemic.
“Many of the companies we work with are providing essential and/or creative Covid-19 solutions. This means we’re working on a whole range of projects at present, including app development and website relaunches.”
Newcastle retail property consultancy @retail has welcomed Jonathan Chapman to the team.
Mr Chapman, who joins from Newcastle-based practice Smith Cole Wright, has worked in the industry for 20 years, representing landlords and tenants including McDonalds Restaurants, Topps Tiles, Clinton Cards, SIG, Entain Group and Columbia Threadneedle Investments.
Ian Thurlbeck, director at @retail said: “There is no doubt that the current economic climate and its impact on the retail property sector is uncertain to say the least. However, we see this as an exciting time when the landscape is changing at a rate faster than we have seen for many years. Jonathan’s experience is going to be invaluable to clients seeking expertise and knowledge of the local market. We are fortunate that we are able to appoint someone with Jonathan’s experience to allow us to ready ourselves for undoubtedly a very busy time over the coming months and years.”
Mr Chapman added: “To say it’s been a busy start to the year would be an understatement. Despite the lockdown I have been amazed at how active we have been. I am really looking forward to the coming months as we ease our way out of the current restrictions and see the positive effects on the retail landscape.
“The well-publicised challenges facing retail and the High Street over the last year and indeed prior to that have created so many positive opportunities and we look forward to playing our part assisting landlords, retailers and leisure operators.”