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Newcastle-based creative agency Blue Kangaroo has made two senior appointments as part of its growth plans.

The firm works with leading names in toys, entertainment, and licensing, producing work for the likes if Mattel, Paramount, Spin Master and Universal. Andrew McGee has joined as head of projects, alongside Richy Stubbs as operations manager. Mr McGee is responsible for the planning and management of creative experiential projects, liaising with customers and creative teams. Mr Stubbs oversees on-the-ground logistics, ensuring the seamless execution of eye-catching creative in-store.

Blue Kangaroo’s founder and managing director, Jason Knights, said: “Our partners tell us that our upscale, interactive, and immersive experiences encourage long-term brand affinity. Our expansion in this area enables us to provide a full suite of services, helping facilitate long-lasting connections and unique engagement with brands, driving repeat shoppers.�

Newcastle e-commerce digital marketing agency WE-COM has appointed James Mechan as its strategy and delivery director. WE-COM was officially launched last month by founder and agency leader Tom Etherington, and Mr Mechan joins as the first member of the team to oversee client strategies and performance. He will also develop how the business delivers multichannel solutions.

Mr Mechan has experience in SEO and digital marketing, having spent 10 years at agencies in Newcastle and Leeds, including Silverbean, iProspect and Home (now IMA), and the last three years as a self-employed consultant.

He said: “I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the business and helping to build it from the ground up. The opportunity to take the lead on transformative digital strategies that put customers - not channels - at the heart fits really well with what I’ve always tried to do. Tom is also someone that I have had the pleasure of working with in the past, and the opportunity to team up with him again was one I simply couldn’t pass up.�

National training provider Simply Learning has appointed Claire Irving as its new managing director. The Jarrow business, specialising in construction, utilities and green skills, was acquired by Simply Certification and º£½ÇÊÓƵ National in 2023 and has been run by Simply Certification managing director Alexandra Gates since then. The company has now appointed Ms Irving as its MD to help drive its next phase of growth.

Ms Gates said: “Claire’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the demand for high-quality, accredited training continues to rise within the industry. Claire brings a strong background in both training and construction, and under her leadership, Simply Learning will expand its support for construction companies, helping them meet industry standards and help address the skills shortage. We are excited to welcome Claire to the team.�

Ms Irving said: “Training and skills development are absolutely vital to the success of the industry and we need to encourage people into construction and green skills now more than ever before. I’m excited to lead Simply Learning in this next phase of growth.�

A rising star in Teesside Airport’s tower has become the youngest qualified air traffic controller in the country. Josh Brown joined the tower team as an Air Traffic Control Assistant aged 18, in 2022. The 20-year-old has now chalked up the required experience and completed courses to become the youngest licensed civil ATCO in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.

He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I’d like to wish a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me since my Air Traffic journey began. It’s quite a feeling being told you’re the youngest controller in the country.�

Gayle Douglas, head of air traffic services, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have the youngest licensed ATCO in the country and it’s a testament to the huge amount of work Josh has put in. His hard work has really paid off, and he continues to be a brilliant member of the team. Qualifying as an Air Traffic Controller is no easy feat, but Josh has shown he has what it takes, and this is an amazing achievement. I hope this is a shining beacon to the rest of our great young assistants to follow in his footsteps.�

Planning consultancy DPP Planning has appointed Kayleigh Dixon as director in its Newcastle office. Ms Dixon joined DPP in 2012 as an assistant planner before progressing into senior and principal planner roles. She progressed to associate director in October 2020, leading DPP’s North West team. She has now been promoted to a director tole to deliver projects across the North and beyond.

She said: “I am over the moon to be taking on the mantle of director here at DPP. I’ve been with the consultancy for much of my career and it’s incredibly rewarding to have progressed from a junior role all the way through to the senior leadership team and now taking a lead as a director within the business.

"DPP has supported me both personally and professionally over the years and it demonstrates their commitment to learning and career development opportunities.�