A regular BUSINESSiQ roundup of key appointments at businesses across the North East

 

After another record-breaking year Cleveland Containers has appointed Richard Gray as their new Strategic Commercial Director.

With over 11 years of sales experience, Richard is set to help spearhead their long-term business development plans. Johnathan Bulmer, Managing Director of Cleveland Containers, said: “Richard is an invaluable addition to our already strong team of directors and we’re excited to see how he helps the business progress.”

Richard said: “There are two elements I look for from a potential employer: I want to work with the best and learn from the best.

“What sets Cleveland Containers apart from its competitors is they are constantly evolving. We aren’t reinventing the wheel, we just refuse to take our foot off the gas.”

Over the last twelve months Cleveland Containers has successfully developed their business by improving on and expanding the services they provide. In the financial year ending February 2022, they achieved a record-breaking turnover of £60 million, growing the business by 65.2% in just one year. This followed the promotion of four members of the senior team to company directors, putting Cleveland Containers in a stronger position to grow into new areas in the coming years.

 

Vertu Motors plc has appointed Peter Nicholas as Group Property Director.

Peter joins from property and planning consultancy Rapleys and in his 20 years at the company, he provided specialist property advice across the motor retail sector.

In his role at Vertu Motors plc, Peter, a Chartered Surveyor, will focus on leases, rent reviews, valuations, acquisitions and disposals. He will also oversee the construction team.

Vertu Motors plc was formed in 2006 to acquire and consolidate UK motor retail businesses. It has grown to 160 sales outlets across the UK in 120 locations, with ambitious plans to further expand.

Macklin Motors, the trading name for Vertu Motors plc in Scotland, was recently awarded the Toyota franchise in the West of Scotland. The Group intends to develop four dealerships to cover this extensive territory, with the first dealership at Darnley, South Glasgow already open.

Peter said: “Vertu Motors plc has a significant portfolio of property, both owned and leased, with impressive plans to grow further. I am excited to be in a role where I can support these ambitions.”

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu, said: “Peter’s experience and knowledge of the motor retail sector, particularly in relation to property, will be invaluable.”

 

Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway, with offices on Newcastle Quayside, has announced the promotion of four lawyers to the role of partner as the firm continues to deliver strong growth across the North East and the wider Northern region.

Kerry Adcock, Louise Cannell-Mirza, Melanie Gavin and Laura Gooddy are celebrating being made partners in the Firm as part of a total of 28 lawyers who have been promoted this year. Kerry, Louise and 15 other lawyers are from the Newcastle office.

Martin Hulls, managing partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “Our team are exceptional lawyers who thoroughly deserve their promotions, which reflect an important milestone in their individual careers.”

With over 450 people in three key locations - Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle - Ward Hadaway is a Top 100 law firm, established over 30 years ago. The firm is currently enjoying strong growth across all its offices.

 

A NORTH East media buying agency has made a hat-trick of appointments to drive its expansion as it looks to double its bookings in 12 months and break into the top 50 UK agencies.

Sunderland based Smart Media has appointed three seasoned media professionals, Andrew Armstrong, Louise Milbourne and Rosie Adams, to strengthen its in-house team and support its fast-growing client roster.

Andrew, who has held roles at global media agencies inlcuding Publicis, Group M and Dentsu Aegis before returning to his native North East and embarking on his own venture in 2017, has joined the ambitious media business which books advertising in the UK and internationally for a host of global brands as Media Director.

Louise has been appointed as Head of Media Operations, and will have both a strategic and client facing role across the business. Implementing new systems and processes to ensure the business is in the best possible position to grow. She joins the firm from a role as Marketing Director at a multi-academy trust in the region, after a career in marketing and planning.

Rosie has joined Smart from media giant Bauer, taking up an Account Director role that will see her focus on building the company’s client base, as well as delivering a high level of service to existing clients including JD, Castore, American Golf & STATSports. Rosie has returned to the North East from London to take up the role, and will bring a wealth of experience in account management and strategic advice, having worked with clients including Wickes, Tesco Mobile, Sky, Shell and Direct Line.

The appointments will strengthen the senior team at Smart Media and allow the firm to build on an outstanding trading across 2021, which saw the business more than double revenue. Smart Media is forecasting triple digit growth again across 2022.
Smart Media MD, Mark Clancey said: “We’re delighted to add them to the team. This will put us in the best possible position to cement the growth we have achieved and strengthen further the operational side of our business.’

“We can see huge opportunities in both the UK, America and Europe. We’re confident that within the next few years, our group bookings will exceed £10m.”

 

Housebuilder, Barratt Developments North East, has welcomed a new team member to its board of directors.

Steven Ball joins the board as the region’s new Sales Director, which comprises seven board members in total. The Sales Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the sales and marketing strategy.

Steven began his career in corporate estate agency management, where he developed a wealth of knowledge and experience in the property industry. After 10 years, in 2014, he then stepped into the housebuilding industry, joining Barratt Developments North East as a Sales Manager. Moving on to become Sales & Marketing Director at Taylor Wimpey in 2018, Steven returned to his roots and made the move back to Barratt Developments four years later, where he took on his new role as Sales Director.

Steven Ball, Sales Director at Barratt Developments North East commented: “I’m thrilled to be taking on the role as Sales Director at Barratt Developments North East. Having already worked for the leading housebuilder for four years, I’m excited to once again be a part of the team and join the talented board of directors.

“It’s a privilege to work for the nation’s leading housebuilder in the North East division and I’m keen to help shape long term strategies and deliver quality housing to residents and communities in the North East area. I’m looking forward to supporting and further developing the strength of the sales team at Barratt Developments North East.”

Carl Sobolewski, Managing Director at Barratt Developments North East said: “We’re delighted to welcome Steven back to Barratt Developments North East as the new Sales Director.

“He’s got a great deal of experience behind him so he brings a lot to the Barratt Developments team. We’re looking forward to the knowledge and guidance Steven will provide to meet our business strategy in delivering quality homes to customers across the North East.”