Law firm Hay & Kilner is continuing to grow its expert legal team with two new appointments.
The Newcastle practice has added Georgia Whitfield and Geetika Mutch to its commercial property and private client teams respectively as it continues to recruit to meet client demand. Ms Whitfield studied at Newcastle and Northumbria Universities before developing her commercial property experience and qualifying with a well-known national law firm. She joins in an associate role and has worked across a range of property projects within the hospitality, commercial, manufacturing and charitable sectors.
Ms Mutch switched her focus to the law and completed her legal qualifications at Manchester and Northumbria Universities, after originally taking a politics and sociology degree at Sheffield University. She has taken up a solicitor position and is now working on every aspect of the firm’s private client service.
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Hebburn-based eQuality Solutions Group (eQS) has appointed its first-ever head of recruitment services.
Jo Atkinson will manage eQS’ new inclusive recruitment provision to complement its range of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) solutions delivered by its seven companies across the Ƶ. She joins eQS with 23 years’ experience in recruitment and operations management across industries including start-ups, SMEs, multinationals, recruitment process outsourcing providers, in the Ƶ and the Middle East.
Ms Atkinson, said: “This opportunity really stood out to me because matching diverse talent to inclusive career opportunities will positively change lives and impact businesses for the better. Many of our clients are business leaders who are passionate about diversifying thought and innovation for greater success and, in doing so, creating inclusive workplaces that embrace and celebrate differences in their workforce.”
Armstrong Watson has appointed new partner David Wilson to its growing corporate finance team.
Mr Wilson, who will be the firm’s North East corporate finance partner, joins Armstrong Watson after eight years with Clive Owen LLP, where he was head of corporate finance. He has worked in local practice for more than 15 years, completing more than 100 transactions including MBOs, MBIs, trade acquisitions, disposals, private equity investments and restructures.
In his new role, Mr Wilson will be responsible for delivering M&A transactions for North East clients and clients across the wider firm.
He said: “I am delighted to join Armstrong Watson as the new North East corporate finance partner. Armstrong Watson has an excellent reputation as a dynamic, ambitious firm and these values are perfectly aligned to my own. The M&A market faces tough, economic challenges, but I have no doubt that our transactions will remain buoyant due to the ‘can do’ approach of North East entrepreneurs combined with my knowledge and experience of the region’s deal market and the exceptional team at Armstrong Watson.”
Jonathan Yates has joined Burnetts Solicitors LLP as legal director within the banking and property team.
Mr Yates has more than 20 years of experience in the legal sector and has a range of commercial property experience, with a focus on acting for funders and borrowers on property transactions. He will now join Burnetts banking and property finance team, which supports lenders and borrowers in everything from real estate investment to agricultural, healthcare and development finance transactions.
He said: “I’m delighted to have joined the banking team at Burnetts. I have heard great things, from both colleagues and clients alike, about the culture of the firm and the quality of service and advice which the firm delivers to clients. There seems to be a great working environment, and this follows through to the service given to clients.”
Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle have appointed Afsana Begum as their new research and engagement manager.
In her role, Ms Begum champions the voices of service users in Gateshead and Newcastle and lead initiatives to listen to their needs, turns them into comprehensive reports, and ensures the findings reach the desks of commissioners and stakeholders.
Yvonne Probert, CEO of Tell Us North (CIC), an organisation specialising in community engagement, research, evaluation, and assessment in the fields of health, well-being, and social care, oversees Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle. She said: “We are thrilled to welcome Afsana to our team. Her fervour for enhancing community health, her extensive knowledge, and collaborative spirit will undoubtedly propel our mission to make Gateshead and Newcastle a healthier place for all.”
