Jaguar Land Rover has announced a key role as the company looks toward Teesside for its new battery gigaplant.

Thomas Müller is to be the company’s new Executive Director of Product Engineering, likely to play a key role in deciding the location of the factory it will build with Envision, which is already building a £450m plant for Nissan at Sunderland.

The Teesworks site at the former Redcar steelworks is one of the few anywhere in the world with the right potential and its Freeport designation could clinch the deal.

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Müller will begin his role immediately, taking responsibility for the technical development of all new Jaguar and Land Rovers, including both hardware and software. His expertise in technology, agile leadership and digital capabilities will bring significant benefits to the efficient delivery of the next generation of modern luxury vehicles.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, he has an extensive background in different roles in research and development, with a focus on chassis, ADAS and autonomous driving. He joins Jaguar Land Rover from the Volkswagen Group, where he held a variety of engineering leadership positions at Audi. Most recently, Thomas was Executive Vice President for Research and Development ADAS and Autonomous Driving at Volkswagen Group’s automotive software subsidiary, CARIAD.

Thomas Müller said: “I am thrilled to join the Jaguar Land Rover team at a pivotal point in the company’s transformation. We have a truly exciting opportunity. By fully implementing agile principles, automating engineering processes and applying innovative product development methods, we will bring to life a new generation of electrified Jaguar and Land Rover models that embody our modern luxury philosophy. Jaguar and Land Rover are already renowned for their peerless design and dynamic capability.

"I’m looking forward to further contributing to the success of these amazing brands and products as we pioneer a new era of electric power and digitalisation.”

Thierry Bolloré, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Not only is Thomas a highly skilled, experienced engineering leader; he also brings a humble and approachable quality and we’re delighted to welcome him to Jaguar Land Rover. His vision and knowledge from more than two decades in the industry will make him a great support and mentor to our teams as we accelerate our journey of simplification and electrification.”

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Hartlepool-based metal mesh manufacturer, The Expanded Metal Company has announced a string of senior promotions.

Jo Lloyd, Paul Bushnell, Ryan Pinder, Neil Head, Mark Proctor and Ian Hutchinson are all taking on new roles at the company, which operates from a 25,000 sqm site in Hartlepool and is a long-established, global centre for expanded metal expertise.

Jo Lloyd, who was previously Quality Manager at The Expanded Metal Company, has been appointed Head of People.

She will be spearheading the firm’s investment in people and talent, and will be overseeing quality, environmental and health and safety matters.

Paul Bushnell, who has been with the firm for more than 32 years, has been appointed Director of Operations, with responsibility for operations, production, purchasing, planning, IT and engineering.

Ryan Pinder – who started with The Expanded Metal Company in 2007 as a machine operator – has been appointed Head Of Continuous Improvement. Ryan has held a number of positions within the businesses, including Quality Engineer and Shift Manager.

Joining Paul and Ryan in operations is experienced engineer Neil Head, who has been appointed to the position of Production Manager.

Driving sales and business development are Mark Proctor and Ian Hutchinson, who have been with The Expanded Metal Company for seven and 20 years respectively.

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Kenton Schools Academy Trust (KSAT) which operates two secondary academies in the Newcastle area - Kenton School and Studio West - has announced the appointment of two experienced senior leaders.

Ian Kershaw FRSA and Lee Kirtley will not only consolidate the trust’s educational standing but ensure a sound platform for continuing success as the trust embarks on a new era of academic achievement, improvement and growth.

Mr Kershaw has been appointed chief executive officer. One task he has already performed is to assist the trust board in the appointment of an executive principal, Lee Kirtley, who has worked in education for twenty years, took up his role at the end of February.

Prior to this, he led Manor Community Academy in Hartlepool from Requires Improvement to an Ofsted Good judgement.

He said: “My vision for education is that students are at the centre of everything we do. Staff are supported to improve their practice to enable them to deliver a high-quality inclusive curriculum. This enables all students to achieve their full potential. Bringing my vision alive within both of our schools is my absolute priority.”

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Northern housing association Karbon Homes has announced the appointment of Ian Johnson as its new Executive Director of Customer Services.

Ian is currently the Director of Pre-Tenancy and Property Services at Karbon Homes and will be replacing Jo Ray.

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NHS Business Services Authority, which has its headquarters in Newcastle, has brought Sue Douthwaite as its new chair. Sue will take the reins from Silla Maizey OBE who leaves NHSBSA after eight years.

Sue Douthwaite joins NHSBSA from the finance sector and brings extensive experience on the successful delivery of transformational improvements.

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Clive Owen LLP, chartered accountants and business advisers, has tripled the size of its HR department to reflect the increase in staff at the rapidly growing firm.

The company, which has offices in Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough and York, has experienced a ten percent expansion in its workforce during the last 12 months.

During that time its HR department has recruited two members of staff to join HR and training manager Caroline Bowerbank, who will become HR director on 1 April 2022.

Caroline joined the firm in April 2017 and has 19 years’ experience gained from working in various HR roles in local government, a global outsourcing business and not for profit organisations.

During her tenure with the firm, Caroline has strengthened the firm’s focus on well-being with the introduction of several initiatives.

The additions to the team are recruitment and training adviser Caroline Pigg and Louise Robinson, who has joined as HR assistant.

Caroline Bowerbank said: “Our staff numbers have increased substantially during the last year. With people being a top priority at Clive Owen LLP, it is important that the HR department is appropriately resourced to ensure our employees receive the necessary support to flourish and thrive within the firm.

“The recruitment of Caroline and Louise has enabled us to build upon and expand our in-house HR capacity.”

Caroline and Louise bring a wealth of experience to their new roles - Caroline having worked for an apprenticeship firm and in compliance support and training positions at a range of businesses and Louise at a global engineering outfit including delivering the company’s reward and benefit packages and leading the annual graduate recruitment programme.

Clive Owen has also appointed David Baggaley as a fifth Tax Partner.

David joins the firm from EY where he was an associate partner leading the private tax team in the North East and Yorkshire providing tax advice to both corporates and individuals.

David spent time on secondment to EY’s offices in Bangalore, India and Edinburgh and has a keen focus on business development through networking.

 

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