Changes at Latimer Hinks, George F White and Gateshead College

Seaward

North East firm Seaward Electronic has announced several senior appointments as it invests further in a skilled workforce and business support functions.

Kyle Fitzgerald has been promoted to the position of IT manager at the Peterlee firm while instrumentation calibration services brand Calibrationhouse is boosted by promotions for Andrew Simpson and Tom Worthy, who become manager and lab manager respectively. Chad Murray steps up to the role of Seaward Electronic’s quality lead while other appointments see Brett Spence become a junior production engineer, Natasha Kirkup a junior buyer, Toni Wells a management accountant and Jade Fitzgerald an assistant accountant.

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With an office also in Tampa, Florida, Seaward Electronic currently employs around 170 people and is a sector leading manufacturer of electronic test and measurement instruments.

Chris Callan, CEO at Seaward Electronic, said: “We have a strategy for growth - and developing our expertise and capability is a key part of this strategy.

“We offer exciting projects and technologies and it has been fantastic to welcome new members of the team to strengthen our ability to introduce new products into our global markets.”

Latimer Hinks

Latimer Hinks Solicitors has welcomed Rob Steer, an experienced solicitor specialising in residential conveyancing, to its expanding team joining as an Associate Solicitor as part of its next phase of growth.

Rob graduated from Northumbria University with a degree in law and in 2012 landed his first job in the legal sector at a firm in Middlesbrough. He said: “I am Darlington born and bred and I was keen to advance my career locally. I secured a role working for a well-establish firm based in Darlington, where I remained for six years and eventually progressed to the role of salaried partner, up until joining Latimer Hinks.”

A highlight in Rob’s career so far was the sale of a major portfolio which comprised a significant number of properties.

He said: “This deal was invaluable in terms of my learning and development. It consisted essentially of the same work I do day-to-day, but just on much larger scale.”

Latimer Hinks recently made a significant investment in its IT systems, aiming to revolutionise the way that it works with its clients, which Rob is discovering: “One difference between Latimer Hinks and other firms I have worked at is the IT facilities, which are far more advanced here, so it has been quite a learning curve for me”.

ACE

New Chair Dr Sarah Prichard has pledged to support the Association of Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and the organisation’s members as they come together and face the “challenge of a generation”.

She believes membership of ACE gives companies of all sizes a stronger voice and a greater impact when it comes to putting the built environment sector at the heart of the global net zero challenge.

The partner and managing director for UK Buildings, Hong Kong and China at Buro Happold is also focused on ACE’s delivery of its 2022 to 2025 blueprint.

Dr Prichard said the blueprint will support ACE members in being more impactful and driving economic growth across the UK, whilst developing skills for a greener future.

Gateshead College

Entrepreneur and solicitor Michael Wood Williams has been appointed as the new chair of Gateshead College.
He brings a wealth of business experience to the role, including a successful record of working in the computer software industry, and expertise in business planning, corporate finance, company law and the implementation of software and systems. Over recent years, he has also held a number of non-executive director positions.

David Alexander, Principal and CEO, Michael Wood Williams, New Chair of Governors and Sarah Stewart, Previous Chair of Governors (Image: Press release)
Michael, who has been vice-chair at Gateshead College since 2021, said: “I am delighted to take up this important post. I’ll be focused on supporting colleagues so that everyone feels empowered in the boardroom, working together to make sure it feels like the safest space possible to explore ideas so we can continue to challenge ourselves to deliver on the college’s ambitious vision.”
He succeeds North East business leader, Sarah Stewart OBE DL, who has held numerous board positions in private, public and third sectors. Sarah, a former High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, and former CEO of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, had been in post for over three years.
Working with the board and executive team, Sarah oversaw the successful transition Gateshead College has undergone in recent years – which included delivering a financial recovery plan and building a new leadership team, including the recruitment of a chief executive and financial director, along with refreshing the board membership and, most recently securing a strong Ofsted inspection outcome.

George F White

SPECIALIST property consultancy George F. White has announced Sally Hart and Richard Garland as joint Managing Partners.

George F. White's Richard Garland, Sally Hart and Robyn Peat (Image: Press release)
Having been instrumental to George F. White’s heightened growth in recent years, the pair have come together to strategically lead the firm’s ambitious vision for continued growth, following its most successful year to date.
Sally, who took the role of Managing Director last year, will focus on business strategy and operations, as well as leading the property management and agency teams. Richard, who has been promoted from Partner, will focus on business development and high-level strategic client work.

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Both have been at the forefront of the businesses continued evolution and helped define the client offering upon which the strong growth has been founded.
Former Managing Partner Robyn Peat has taken the role of Chairman and will remain in the business and on the firm’s executive board as well as continuing to work with clients.
The announcement comes as the business is celebrating its biggest year of growth to date, following its merger with Johnson Tucker LLP. Turnover is up by 10 per cent on top of a previous record year last year and staff headcount grew by 17.5 per cent to over 100 team members.
Major investments were also made to expand into new territories, with three new offices opening within six months in Hexham, Durham and Leeds, as well as enhancements to existing offices.