Newcastle creative agency Cravens has appointed Mark Hadfield as strategy partner to drive its plans for growth.
Mr Hadfield will play a key role in business development and delivering results for the firm’s regional, national, and international clients, having previously worked on innovative growth strategies for global brands including Samsung, Shell, Philips, Suzuki, Bacardi, IHG and Guinness.
The move marks a return home, following 15 years working in London and Asia where he headed up the strategic faculty across Asia-Pacific for Iris Singapore.
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He said: “Cravens is a world-class agency in a world-class city and I am delighted to be joining the very talented team at this exciting stage in their journey as a business. From our first meeting, I felt we were a perfect fit - sharing the same ambitions. Newcastle has always felt like home to me and I am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Newcastle tech consultancy Opencast Software has appointed Tom Lawson as its new chief executive officer.
Mr Lawson has been head of corporate development at the consultancy, which specialises in developing end-to-end enterprise solutions for Government, financial services, health and social care and renewable energy sectors, since December 2019.
Prior to joining Opencast Software, he held roles at Capgemini Invent, Capgemini and BT Global Services. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in fuelling business growth by increasing businesses’ service capabilities, client base and securing additional funding, even in challenging macro-economic circumstances.
He said: “Opencast is on a rapid growth curve, not least supporting various government departments with their Covid-19 response. I’m thrilled to lead the firm as CEO, providing structure to this pivotal role at a crucial time.”
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Former KPMG partner Mick Thompson has been appointed to the board of Newcastle-headquartered shipping insurer, North.
Mr Thompson, who retired as a senior partner in 2018, has been appointed as independent non-executive director of the global mutual liability insurer, and will bring his extensive cross-sector experience to North.
He has joined North’s international board of directors, chaired by Pratap Shirke of ASP Shipmanagement, and has also been appointed to North’s Group Audit Committee.
He said: “I’m honoured to be joining the board of North in its 160th year – a historic global business with firm roots in the North East. I’m looking forward to working closely with North’s directors to develop the Club’s strategy and achieve its goals.”
Planning consultancy DPP Planning has announced the promotion of Kayleigh Dixon as part of its professional development and succession strategy.
Ms Dixon joined the planning consultancy’s Newcastle office eight years ago as an assistant planner and having worked her way up through the ranks to become principal planner, she now takes the senior role of associate director within the firm.
She has been involved in a number of key developments in the North East and has also been instrumental in the growth of DPP’s presence in the Manchester market having led on significant property development schemes in and around the city, including the major New Bailey regeneration masterplan in Salford.
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She said: “I’m passionate about this business and its values, having built my career with DPP, I know how important professional development is, and I am very proud of the dynamic team that continues to go from strength to strength. It’s particularly rewarding to see progression with the junior team members who are mentored by the more senior teams.”
Insurance brokers and financial services provider Lycetts has appointed Gail Makepeace as an independent financial adviser.
Bringing more than 30 years’ industry experience to the role, Ms Makepeace joins the company from international financial services group Sanlam, to further strengthen Lycetts’ Financial Services division.
Based in Lycetts’ Newcastle office, her new role will involve advising both private and corporate clients on financial planning solutions and investments. Makepeace offers particular expertise in retirement planning and corporate benefits.
She said: “Lycetts are a long-established, well-respected and reputable Independent Financial Adviser, and this is what attracted me to the organisation. I have accrued 32 years’ experience of the financial services sector and have advised clients for a decade, so I am confident in my ability to provide Lycetts’ existing and prospective clients with a comprehensive and holistic service.”
One of Northumberland’s largest manufacturing employers has appointed 15 engineering apprentices after extending the closing date for applications from youngsters who missed the deadline because of coronavirus.
Essity, which has a mill at Prudhoe, has worked closely with the North East LEP, which advised local schools of the deadline extension and helped the company to target potential applicants during lockdown.
HR manager Marco Paternesi said: “Although we had nearly 200 applications before the original closing date at the end of March, we also heard from a significant number of disappointed potential recruits.
“Given everything that was going on, we decided to push back the deadline by a couple of months – which brought a last-minute influx of grateful applicants. We have appointed 15 apprentices with half of the group starting work in the mill and the other half going to Gateshead College for the first year of their apprenticeship.”