Property firm Avison Young has appointed two new recruits to its Newcastle through the firm’s graduate placement scheme.
Adam Lawson joins the company’s agency team as a graduate surveyor dealing primarily with office and industrial lettings, while Tom Wignall joins the planning, development and regeneration team as a graduate planner.
Gordon Hewling, principal and managing director at Avison Young’s Newcastle office, said: “The Newcastle office is extremely busy working for a broad range of private and public sector clients on major projects across the North East.
“The appointment of Adam and Tom will strengthen key teams within the office as well as offering both an excellent professional grounding towards achieving full professional accreditation within their respective fields.”
Recruitment company Keystream Group has opened a Newcastle office headed by Heather Gordon.
Ms Gordon, who specialises in NHS recruitment for digital, analytics and PMO professionals, joined Keystream in 2014 as a trainee and has relocated to Newcastle to open the new office.
She said: “To be able to open a second office for Keystream feels like a real turning point in my career and for the business. I’m extremely honoured to be leading this exciting opportunity and know that our Northern Team will continue to build the reputable brand that Keystream customers know and trust.”
Ms Gordon will be joined by three new team members in the new office.
Energy sector group NOF has strengthened its senior leadership team with the appointment of John Leer as its new head of stakeholder and business engagement.
Mr Leer has previously worked with the Tees Valley Development Company and the Tees Valley Combined Authority, working with a number of North East firms on their growth. As well as his NOF role, Mr Leer also succeeds Caroline Lofthouse as cluster manager for Energi Coast.
He said: “Having worked in partnership with NOF for many years, I have always been impressed with its comprehensive approach to helping members secure new business and contribute to the energy transition. I am very passionate about British industry and see significant opportunities in the energy sector that our members can benefit from and contribute to achieving a balanced energy mix.”
Joanne Leng, chief executive at NOF, said: “John brings extensive experience to NOF, which bring advantages to our growing network of members and partners that are playing a central role in the UK and international energy industry. He has been integral to attracting important inward investment to the UK and we are confident that will continue in the role as cluster manager of Energi Coast while enhancing the relationships we have with key stakeholders keen to engage with our members.
Harriet Burrows has been appointed as the new general manager at the Bannatyne Health Club and Spa Ingleby Barwick.
She joins from the group’s Hastings health club and spa, where she was assistant general manager. She has worked for the company since 2017 in a range of roles.
Ms Burrows said: “For me the gym became my happy place so to be given my first opportunity to work in the sector at Bannatyne’s in Eastbourne was amazing. That role really cemented by love for fitness and wellbeing. The opportunities to learn and progress my career have been fantastic and I can’t speak highly enough of the company as a place to work.
“To move to the North East has been a big change for me but everyone has been very welcoming. I am really excited to get to know the staff and members at Ingleby Barwick.”
Kani Payments has announced the appointment of Dan Clappison as its chief operating officer.
Mr Clappison, who has more than 17 years’ experience in the payments space, started his career at Newcastle Building Society and has also worked at Virgin Money. He will oversee Kani’s reporting and reconciliation teams as well as liaising with customers on their operational requirements.
He said: “A business cannot scale without a solid foundation and established operations. I want to ensure that, as we continue to grow, our clients have confidence that Kani Payments will continue to provide a great, reliable service and they know that we can support their businesses as they continue to grow.
“I’m delighted to be joining Kani Payments at such a critical moment in its growth, to help build on the operational foundations the company already has in place. Having been based in Newcastle since 2003, I’m also proud to be supporting such a strong local company and championing talent in the North of England.”
