PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
ENERGY Central Campus (ECC) has recruited the first staff members for the new £15m-plus Energy Central Learning Hub (ECLH) which is currently under construction at the Port of Blyth.
Energy Central Campus marks a partnership between the Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, focused on creating the pipeline of talent required for the expanding clean energy sector.
Paul Valentine has been appointed as head of operations for the ECLH, which opens in September. He will be responsible for ensuring the effective operational management of the facility and building working relationships with employers and key training and education partners. Sharon Foster joins as operations manager, supporting the management of the facility and its ongoing development.
Martin Lawlor, chief executive of the Port of Blyth and first chair of ECC, said: “We are thrilled Paul and Sharon have joined the ECC team; their vast knowledge and years of experience working in the education sector will ensure that we deliver the highest quality training to learners, building a skilled talent pool for the growing clean energy companies in the North East of England.”
LAW firm Ward Hadaway has announced seven new appointments at its Newcastle office, adding to the near 500-strong team across its North bases.
The Newcastle appointments include director Jennifer Patterson, who rejoins the multi-disciplinary real estate department after an 18-month hiatus. Six solicitors and paralegals have also joined the Tyneside team in the corporate finance, debt, housing, real estate, and family teams.
Managing partner Steven Petrie said: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all our new people who have joined us across our offices. Our ambitious growth plans are strengthened by these skilled legal professionals, enhancing our full-service offering.”
Ms Patterson added: “I’m delighted to rejoin Ward Hadaway at this exciting time in the company’s journey. It’s the place where I have spent the majority of my career and has always been a firm with clear ambitions and a focus on developing its people and supporting them to be their very best; the culture here fits perfectly with my values.”
BRAND agency Decide has appointed Nicole Levings as its new managing director.
Ms Levings joins the Newcastle firm, founded in 1953, with over 20 years’ experience working in and developing creative marketing agencies in the UK and US. She has been appointed to drive change, with a clear focus on leadership, business growth and nurturing the agency’s internal culture.
Before her role at Decide, she relocated to America in 2015 to set up Agency TK in Los Angeles, where she became managing director, after which she was appointed as managing director at independent marketing group Audience Collective in Los Angeles.
She said: “Having spent the last decade in America, it was always going to take a very special opportunity to excite me for my next move, and I believe Decide is just that.”
GATESHEAD website development company Ridgetek has expanded its team as it marks 10 years of trading.
The company, which recently moved to a new office in the former Metro Radio Building in Swalwell, delivers end-to-end website solutions, including domain registration and design to ongoing support, helping businesses to set up and maintain an online presence.
The newest team member is Ayodele Olaosebikan from South Shields, whose design and development skills are helping to create solutions to help businesses thrive. Mr Olaosebikan joined the team whilst finishing his Masters at Northumbria University.
DESIGN studio Bernard Interiors has made two senior leadership appointments to support demand for its commercial and residential interior design services.
The firm, which has its headquarters in Newcastle and an office in London, has appointed Oliver Holmes joins as operations director alongside business development and marketing manager Rachael Sellers.
The duo will support the company as it develops new services and expands into overseas markets, helping the business achieve its ambitious growth plans.
Founder and managing director Jen Bernard said: “Oliver and Rachael add strength and depth to our already experienced design team, and I am excited for the next phase of our growth, continuing to bring value and warmth to every project.”