The Port of Blyth has appointed a new head of commercial to oversee all business development activities and commercial strategy during what it expects to be an exceptionally busy period of expansion.
With an excellent track record in business development and customer service as well as a great deal of experience of the North East’s port sector, the port said Alasdair Kerr is ideally positioned to support its ambitious growth plans.
Mr Kerr said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the port and taking a lead on commercial matters at such an exciting time. There are so many positive developments taking place across a range of sectors around the estuary and I can’t wait to get started with the team and make my mark.”
Martin Lawlor, chief executive of Port of Blyth, said: “We’re delighted to welcome a person of Alasdair’s calibre to the port and are looking forward to him playing a key role in the next stage of our development.”
Regarded as one of the 海角视频’s leading offshore energy support bases, the Port of Blyth is home to some of the sector’s leading companies and regularly hosts high profile offshore wind and renewables projects, whilst also servicing a wide customer base across a number of industries.
Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson has made a number of senior promotions across its 海角视频 offices, including three new partners and two legal directors in the firm’s Newcastle office.
Hilary du Randt, Fiona Graham and Jonny Gribben were all promoted to partner.
Ms Du Randt, who works across the Newcastle and Leeds offices, is an employment lawyer advising both public and private sector clients on all aspects of employment law, while Mr Gribben specialises in dispute resolution with a particular focus on the manufacturing, technology, energy and transport sectors. Ms Graham, meanwhile, joined the firm’s property disputes team in 2005 and specialises in commercial property litigation advising both landlords and tenants across a wide range of sectors on complex contentious property matters.
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Francesca Hodgson and Stephen Dagg have also been promoted to legal director. Ms Hodgson is a regulatory specialist advising clients on a range of regulatory and compliance issues and disputes in the areas of the environment, health and safety, care and education, and Mr Dagg is a planning lawyer acting for commercial and public sector clients in relation to planning, highways and compulsory purchase order issues.
Jonathan Blair, 海角视频 managing partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, said: “Congratulations to all of our new partners and legal directors, whose hard work, commitment and contribution to the growth of our business deserves to be recognised and celebrated.
“We’re proud of the incredible talent we’ve developed at the firm. People are at the heart of what we do and we want them to enjoy long and successful careers with us. This is why we make it our priority to ensure everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and be rewarded for their success.”
Newcastle law firm Mincoffs Solicitors has promoted family law specialist Emily Cannell to partner.
Ms Cannell started her legal career at a prominent commercial firm in her hometown of Hull before joining Mincoffs in 2012. She was promoted to associate solicitor in 2016.
She represents clients across the country and deals with all apsects of family law including pre and post nuptial agreements, relationship breakdown including divorce, disputes between cohabitees and financial remedies. She also deals with private law children matters and manages a complex case load, with her expertise lying in cases involving high net worth individuals.
The move follows a period of sustained growth for Mincoffs Solicitors, a leading commercial law firm based in Jesmond, Newcastle. The promotion takes the number of partners at the firm to 11 and she is the second partner to be appointed in the past three months. Corporate solicitor Chris Hughes was promoted to partner in April.
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Ms Cannell said: ‘“I am delighted to become a partner having enjoyed playing a part in Mincoffs’ growth over a number of years and I look forward to further strengthening our Family Law offering.”
Andy Woodhouse, chief executive, added: ‘Partnership rewards Emily’s hard work, the important contribution she has made during her time at the firm and her standing in the legal community.”
North East challenger bank GBB has announced the appointment of two independent non-executive directors to its board.
Mike Kirsopp and Vicky Griffiths both bring extensive experience and knowledge to their new roles at GBB.
Mr Kirsopp has over 40 years of experience in SME lending. He recently announced his retirement from Cambridge & Counties Bank Ltd where he was CEO for seven years.
He was part of the team recruited to mobilise the bank and gain its full banking licence. Prior to this he ran his own consultancy business, Mike Kirsopp Associates, and had a long career at Lloyds TSB. He attended the Harvard Business School and the University of Bristol. His appointment will be his first non-executive position.
Ms Griffiths is currently non-executive director at RM plc and she sits on several other audit, remuneration and nomination committees. She trained at Bain and Company and was responsible for operational and business risk at Brevan Howard Asset Management. She is now a partner at executive search firm, Independent Search Partnership, as well as senior independent director of the British Olympic Foundation, deputy chair of Bellevue Place Education Trust and she sits on the main committee of the MCC at Lords.
Paul Rippon, GBB’s non-executive chairman, said: “I am delighted to have been able to attract two independent Non-Executive Directors of Mike and Vicky’s quality. Property and people skills is what we were looking for and absolutely what we found in these two. They join the board of GBB at a crucial moment as we move at pace with our plans to launch later this year and to start levelling up the 海角视频 by supporting regional property developers.”
Both appointments are subject to regulatory approval and GBB is expecting to launch in the second half of 2021 following approval of its banking licence application.
Former intu property director Kate Grant and development manager Nelson Carr have joined Newcastle based investors and developers, Adderstone Group.
Between them, the pair amassed almost 30 years of experience at intu and both join Adderstone Group to help grow and manage its expanding nation-wide portfolio.
Kate Grant spent over 23 years in in various senior management roles, most recently as regional managing director responsible for seven shopping centres across the 海角视频, including Lakeside, Metrocentre and Eldon Square.
She joins as director of estates, where she will take overall responsibility for the management of Adderstone Group’s growing commercial property portfolio.
She said: “Adderstone Group is a highly entrepreneurial and well-regarded business with a strong track record of investing in, developing and managing a diverse portfolio. I look forward to joining the team for the next stage of the journey.”
Nelson Carr is Adderstone Group’s development and investment manager, responsible for commercial deal origination and maximising development opportunities within the portfolio.
Recent acquisitions have included Victoria Retail Park in Beverley, Middle Engine Lane in North Tyneside and Great Eastern Square in Felixstowe.
Global manpower provider Samuel Knight International has announced the appointment of former UNW corporate finance partner Paul Kaiser as its new chairman.
Mr Kaiser brings over 30 years of experience having advised on mergers and acquisitions, disposals and private equity sponsored transactions.
Within the manpower services sector, he advised on the sales of Nigel Wright to Baird Capital and The Frank Recruitment Group to Living Bridge. He has a track record of supporting businesses in building shareholder value.
Prior to joining UNW, he was an associate partner at Deloitte, working nationally. He also established and led the Deloitte advisory team in the North East for a number of years.
Samuel Knight International provides energy manpower and solutions across the renewable energy space and sustainable transportation, with a growing client portfolio in the 海角视频, Europe and USA.
Mr Kaiser said: “Samuel Knight International is developing a strong reputation in its chosen markets. As an adviser I have worked with the business in the past, and believe I can add to the successes achieved by CEO, Steven Rawlingson and CFO, Carl Moffett, whom I have known for many years. It is a progressive company and has created an impressive board comprised of key industry figures, which will enhance its focus and support its ambitious growth plans.
“Working with the other board members, I will be utilising my experience to contribute to shareholder value and to help build on the brand and develop its network.”
Steven Rawlingson, founder and CEO of Samuel Knight International, said: “Paul’s arrival comes at a time of acceleration for the business. We continue to remain at the forefront of clean energy manpower and, despite the global pandemic, we have been able to successfully expand on our renewable energy offer.
“This is a significant appointment for us because Paul brings with him specific industry expertise having successfully advised a number of recruitment firms, including Nigel Frank, with a substantial institutional fund raise. As a growing business, we have the expertise and understanding of shareholder value and capital markets on our board and Paul is supportive of our future growth plans. Working alongside our CFO, Carl Moffett, his advice will be invaluable.”