A BUSINESSiQ round-up of the key moves at influential companies around the North East - who’s in and who’s out

 

Seriös Group

 

The Newcastle-based data analytics and testing consultancy is set to maintain its rapid growth with the appointment of two additional board members.

The company, which reached revenues of around £1.5million in only its second year of trading, has welcomed Chris Stavers as Sales Director, alongside Mark Fishwick who joins as Service Delivery Director after previously providing the firm with consultancy support.

After a period of healthy organic growth, Chris - who has previously held roles at Darchem Engineering, Elfab Limited and Carrs Engineering – takes up responsibility for overseeing the newly created sales function. His experience within engineering and manufacturing firms will stand Seriös Group in good stead as it eyes an expansion into the sector.

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Mark joins Seriös Group following a period working with the firm as a consultant. A large part of his role will be ensuring that the appropriate skillset is deployed throughout the course of a project to maximise the benefits to a client. Additionally, he will use his experience managing complex data projects for UK law enforcement and IT providers to drive greater standardisation of methodologies across Seriös’s specialist teams to improve collaboration and efficiencies.

Lee Rorison, Chief Executive Officer at Seriös Group, said: “The creation of these two key director roles is designed to support our continued expansion. We have plans for several other new roles and have started an aggressive recruitment drive to ensure we have the right mix of skills and experience to maintain our growth trajectory.”

Mark Fishwick said: “Having already worked alongside Seriös Group as a consultant, I am delighted to join the team on a permanent basis. I have been involved in a number of young businesses and thoroughly enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of helping a firm grow and reach its potential. Seriös Group has achieved great things in the last two years and it has a very bright future, which I very much look forward to being part of.”

Burnetts

 

Burnetts Solicitors has boosted its Corporate team in Newcastle with the appointment of Paul Bell as a Corporate partner.

Paul has moved to Burnetts from his previous role as Head of Corporate law at Short Richardson & Forth in Newcastle and has over 20 years’ experience advising on all aspects of corporate and commercial law. His appointment is part of an ongoing growth strategy for the Burnetts Corporate team, as it looks to double in size following an unprecedented period of growth and success.

Paul said: “Burnetts has an excellent client base and reputation in Newcastle, Cumbria and nationally. What immediately struck me was the quality of its people. Burnetts has a clear vision together with a distinctive and vibrant culture and approach. I feel like part of the team already. I look forward to strengthening the Corporate team’s expertise and to further building on its offering to business clients.”

ITPS

 

IT specialist ITPS has unveiled new appointments to its board and senior leadership team, to support its next phase of growth.

Respected industry figure Simon Newton joins as the new CEO, bringing a 25-year background in senior management roles, having played pivotal roles in the growth of businesses spanning the IT, financial, and clean energy sectors.

Joining him is head of product management Dr Dave Reed, who has 30 years’ experience working across the world in the leadership of technical product development and cyber security.

Rachel Potter steps into the newly created role of head of marketing, where she will use her multi-national experience in leading marketing strategies, implementing new brands and delivering high-impact communications in the digital, software and publishing industries.

Cleveland Containers

 

Andrew Thompson has joined Cleveland Containers as their new Chief Operating Officer.
After leaving New College Durham with a diploma in Business, Finance and Marketing, Andrew began his career in retail. He started as a part-time store assistant in 1996 stacking shelves and serving customers at the tills of his local Co-operative.
He went on to complete a management course and was eventually promoted to a store supervisor role whilst he studied for a Higher National Diploma in Business Management at The University of Sunderland.

The Northern Echo: Andrew ThompsonAndrew Thompson (Image: Press release)
Andrew then spent the next 15 years working hard and climbing up the ladder from Store Supervisor all the way to Regional Director - a role which saw him lead a team of over 3,000 employees.
He went on to join Hewden as a Regional Manager and then quickly progressed once again to become UK Operations Director. Several years later, he jumped over to a Director role at Mobile Mini UK and once again, pushed the business forward and later took over the reins as Managing Director. 
The 46 year old dad explained: “No matter the role, or company, I pride myself on my tenacity for continuous improvement.  I believe if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.
“Cleveland Containers has an ethos that made the firm unmissable to me. They’re a fast-paced, growing company with strong family values at the heart of the business.
“The company’s ambition reflects my own; striving for constant improvement and growth. We both refuse to sit still. If there is scope in new ventures, we explore it instantly.”
Cleveland Containers’ momentum is geared towards widening their reach in the market, and Andrew is focussed on them being the supplier of choice for full turnkey solutions.
Another goal of Andrew’s is to push their world-class Net Promoter Score (NPS) from 74 to 80+ by improving their customer experience - something that Andrew believes is easily achievable for his team.
“We’re off to a great start and we’re not slowing down for anyone,” he said.

George F White

 

The Northern Echo: William MarshallWilliam Marshall (Image: Press release)

Property specialist George F. White recently welcomed William Marshall into the team as its first Sustainability Consultant. The appointment comes at a key time in response to the changing needs of businesses, as the demand for renewable energy solutions is more prevalent than ever in the race towards net zero.

With the ongoing energy crisis an increasing worry for businesses, even with the recent Government intervention, George F. White has seen an increase in enquiries from high energy usage businesses such as farms and manufacturers, seeking ways to reduce their energy costs and future-proof their supply. In this new role, William will support businesses to achieve this – in turn improving their sustainability credentials and identifying renewable energy solutions, helping them to save energy, money and lessen their environmental impact.

He will work with businesses on three key areas – recommendations for on-site renewable energy generation including solar, wind, battery, or heat pumps (reducing businesses’ carbon footprints and saving them money) planning and consultancy for solar and wind farms (supporting landowners with new revenue streams) and improving sustainability efforts (developing businesses’ sustainability strategies).

William has worked in property for 30 years across most areas of the sector, both in the UK and America. Commenting on his appointment, he said: “My role is to help businesses understand how sustainability and renewable energy will benefit them and why it is right for them, then make effective solutions a reality. There’s been a real shift in the way sustainability is perceived, as we’re all on the pathway and playing our part to reach net zero targets.

“The expectation for all businesses to improve their sustainability efforts can feel daunting, and the current energy crisis has fast-tracked the need for a lot of businesses to consider switching to renewable energy generation.”

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