Newcastle performance agency Evolved has hired people director Lou Hassen to help drive its long-term growth plans.
Ms Hassen started her career in the education sector before moving into tech, and has worked in sectors focusing on change and transformation including fintech, insurtech, professional services, and procurement. She joined challenger bank Atom Bank during its start-up phase and comes to Evolve from Japanese insurance company Aioi Nissay Dowa, where she was its people director.
She said: “The first couple of months at Evolved have been great fun. Everyone has been very welcoming, especially the office dogs, and pretty much exactly as I expected it to be in terms of people and culture, which is always a good sign! My first month was all about getting to know the business and its people, what makes it tick, what we do well and what needs to be better. Everyone was very open and honest right from the beginning, which has enabled me to develop the people strategy quickly that will support the business as it moves into its next phase. It really is the best place I have ever worked and my job is to keep it that way and make sure it remains one of the best places to work in the country.”
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Evolved has also announced that managing director Tom Etherington has moved into a new role of chief marketing and revenue officer. He has most recently led the day-to-day running of the agency and his new role will see him focusing on the company’s future growth plans.
Tech business clixifix has hired Matt Hayman as its new chief marketing officer. Mr Hayman has joined the Houghton-le-Spring firm to help it to continue to grow as well as to boost brand recognition and revenue. He has 13 years’ experience driving growth and digital marketing success, including seven years as a digital agency owner and five years managing campaigns for companies including Refract.ai.
He said: “I was compelled by clixifix’s mission to transform property management, coupled with the passion and experience of the leadership team. I saw tremendous potential for growth in an industry ripe for technology adoption. I wanted to leverage my experience to propel clixifix’s success.”
James Farrell, CEO and co-founder, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matt to the clixifix team. Matt’s enthusiasm and experience will help elevate our marketing department. As a team we are excited to work with Matt and we can’t wait to see how he supports our future operations.”
Commercial law firm Muckle LLP has appointed five new trainee solicitors. Martha Alsop Wood, Jordon Goodman, Ella Johnson, Jessie Melroy and Chloe Squire will gain valuable experience across the business by spending their two-year training contracts across four different teams, including corporate finance, real estate, dispute resolution, employment, banking, construction and commercial.
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The new trainees join the existing cohort of six trainees currently in the business. All five trainees completed their studies in the North East and have chosen to carry out their training contracts in the region.
Jason Wainwright, managing partner at Muckle, said: “Our people are integral to the success of the business and we continue to invest in, develop and support the next generation of talent through a range of initiatives such as our Inspiring Careers programme and the NESA scheme. Many of the firm’s partners began their careers as trainees at Muckle so we know first-hand how important it is to develop and retain talent in the region.”
Interpath Advisory has appointed Louise Smith to lead its transaction services offering in the North. Ms Smith joins Interpath from EY where she co-led the firm’s transaction services business in Yorkshire and the North East, advising on a number of high-profile deals spanning sectors including building and construction and industrial products, as well as a number of capital market transactions. She will work alongside corporate finance managing director Heath Snyder and debt advisory director Ben Smith in scaling the firm’s deal advisory capabilities across the North.
She said: “I’m really proud to have been asked to lead Interpath’s Transaction Services offering in the North. I am particularly excited about the opportunity for Interpath to really make its mark on this thriving dealmaking community, working closely with Heath, Ben and the rest of the team to bring the very best of Interpath’s experience and expertise across TS, M&A, Debt Advisory and Tax to bear.”
Kenny McKay, head of Interpath Advisory in the North of England, said: “We are delighted to welcome Louise to Interpath. Her arrival marks the start of a new wave of investment as we seek to scale our M&A and deal advisory capabilities across our Northern offices.”
The Inn Collection Group has appointed Joe Bernhoeft as its new chief financial officer. He joins the Newcastle-based pub with rooms operator from the global fashion brand Barbour. Joining as head of finance in 2018, his responsibilities grew to the directorship of the global operations, finance and IT functions.
Over his career he has gained experience through positions with Amazon, Proctor & Gamble and Smurfit Kappa and takes over the role from Paul Edwards, who, after heading up the group’s finance function during a period of unprecedented growth, is embarking on early retirement.
Sean Donkin, group CEO at The Inn Collection Group said: ‘We are very excited to welcome Joe as our new CFO in what is a very exciting time for the company. He is an incredibly experienced finance professional having worked for some significant blue-chip organisations, including one of the north east’s most recognisable, global brands. His skillset means he is well placed to head up our finance department as our estate continues to expand as properties return to trading after significant investment and refurbishments.”