Mechanical and electrical services firm Norstead has announced promotions for two employees.
Dan Hopkins becomes operations director and Jonathan Grant is now commercial director, as part of the firm’s commitment to investing in talent. The firm has also recently welcomed three new recruits to bolster its operational and commercial teams.
Mr Hopkins joined the firm over 25 years ago as a junior engineer and has worked his way up through the ranks, while Mr Grant joined Norstead a year ago, having worked as a main contractor for North East and national construction firms.
Chris Cant, CEO of Metnor Group said: “I’m delighted to congratulate Dan and Jonathan on their promotions to director. Bringing a wealth of experience to their roles, their promotions are testament to their hard work and dedication.”
Durham-based technology company Plexus Innovation has expanded its team by appointing a sales manager.
Sufri Weithers has joined the firm, following several successful sales and business development roles in the region, specialising in digital technology and IT/AV solutions.
He has joined the team as its Guardian project – a remote, automated measurement and alert system – is poised to change the way organisations collect data for compliance.
Mr Weithers added: “This was a unique opportunity to join a company at such a key time in its growth and development. I am immensely enjoying rolling out Guardian even further, helping more compliance and facilities managers; operational and maintenance teams, and nursing and care professionals to do their job better. This is a truly rewarding role at a critical time for many.”
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North East law firm Muckle LLP has continued its growth with the appointment of three new trainee solicitors.
Georgia Sproat, from Kendal in Cumbria, takes up her first seat with the corporate team, assisting senior lawyers in the busy North East deals market. Kieran O’Donoghue, from Retford, Nottinghamshire, has joined the dispute resolution team and is currently working on multiple business interruption insurance claims. And Olivia Tindle, from Stockton on Tees, has begun her training contract in the real estate team, dealing with a range of commercial landlord and tenant issues.
Jason Wainwright, Muckle managing partner, said: “Many firms have delayed taking on new trainees this year but we were keen to press on despite the challenges of lockdown and Olivia, Georgia and Kieran are already making an impact.”
Avison Young has promoted Rachael Foster in the firm’s Newcastle office to senior surveyor.
Ms Foster works in the land and development team, splitting her time across Avison Young’s Newcastle and Leeds offices.
She is active in the North East and Yorkshire markets, providing support to clients such as Network Rail, NHS, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Newcastle City Council, Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, as well as local landowners, investors and developers.
Gordon Hewling, regional managing director of Avison Young’s Newcastle office, said: “In what was an unprecedented year, Rachael went above and beyond, ensuring that our existing clients were supported, while also helping to grow the business. Her promotion is very well deserved and testament to the hard work and commitment that she has demonstrated during her time with us. I look forward to seeing Rachael continue to go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”
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Manufacturer PFF Group has made four key appointments at its Washington site following a contract win to produce PPE for the NHS.
The contract from the Department of Health and Social Care will see PFF manufacture 360m disposable polythene aprons and the company has invested £2m in new equipment and created 100 jobs to deliver the contract.
John Conway has been appointed general manager of the plant. He joined PFF in August 2020 in a temporary role and in his new position he will lead the operations and maintenance functions at the Washington site, as well as managing the performance of internal operations to maintain and develop business growth.
Production manager Sally Pietryga has been promoted to site operations coordinator and data capture manager, while shift managers Craig Martin and Steve Walmsley are promoted to shift production managers.
Kenton Robbins, group managing director of PFF Group said: “We wish our colleagues good luck in these new roles. This has been an extremely difficult year, but our workforce has risen to the challenge magnificently.”
Tyneside based specialist mental health and wellbeing service provider Concern Group has appointed Adam Crampsie as its new chief executive.
Most recently, Mr Crampsie was the managing director of Bloom Procurement Services, winner of the highest climber award in the North East Top 200 companies list, and the high growth and ambition trophy winner at the North East Business Awards in 2020.
The appointment of Mr Crampsie follows the decision of CEO Brendan Hill to step down after 17 years.
Mr Crampsie is a mental health clinician by background and his experience spans the private, public, and charity sectors, having started his career working for the NHS where he undertook senior management and leadership roles.
He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to work with colleagues, trustees, valued partners, and the wider community. It’s rare to find an organisation that is truly values-led, and even rarer to find one that makes such a positive impact to its service users. I am deeply passionate about mental health – and it has been an important part of my career.”