People on the move: key North East appointments and promotions

Insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 has appointed Durham-based solicitor Kelly Jordan as its North East chair.

Ms Jordan, who is an associate director at insolvency litigation financing company Manolete Partners, takes over as chair from Chris Ferguson a director and head of recovery and insolvency at RMT Accountants & Business Advisors. She brings expertise in contentious and non-contentious insolvency and restructuring matters.

Her new role will see Ms Jordan help R3 plan and deliver events and conferences for its members in the region. She said: “I am delighted to take on the role of North East Chair for R3. The previous chairs have set the bar high, and my aim is to build on their success and continue to deliver fantastic events and providing opportunities for networking and growth within the region.

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“Being involved with R3 has been instrumental in my professional growth, helping me to get in front of people I might not have otherwise, and feeling connected to a wider community. My key focus as chair is to bring these benefits to the younger generation entering the field of insolvency and restructuring. New professionals are the future of our profession, and my goal is to facilitate their career growth by providing more networking opportunities, robust technical support, and building a community where they naturally become part of a broader network.”

Durham-headquartered EMG Solicitors has made six senior promotions in its 10th anniversary year.

The moves include Charlotte Greenwell to associate in the Court of Protection (COP) health and welfare team, and Mike Cattermole and Claire French promoted to associate and senior associate in the wills, trusts and probate department. At the firm’s Gosforth office Nicola Ife has been promoted to associate in the COP property and affairs team while Emma Etherington has become associate in wills, trusts and probate. And in Darlington, Daisy Hebblethwaite has become associate in the family department.

Emma Gaudern, managing director of EMG Solicitors, said: “Our people really do remain at the heart of the EMG business and their development will always be a key priority for us. Helping our people thrive is a big part of our culture here, not only in supporting our outstanding client service levels but ensuring we continue to be a great place to work. In 10 years, we have come a long way as a business and that is solely down to our wonderful people.

“We are passionate about creating an environment where everyone can thrive and benefit from the great career opportunities we have available. This is something that we support through our fantastic career development programme. I know that Charlotte, Mike, Claire, Nicola, Emma and Daisy will flourish in their new roles and continue to be a real credit to the EMG family. And I’d like to wish them all the very best.”

Specialist life sciences marketing agency ramarketing has appointed Melissa Pattinson as chief financial officer.

Ms Pattinson, who is Canadian born and a biology graduate, brings nearly two decades of experience in finance. She will develop and carry out ramarketing’s financial strategy, managing the financial and commercial health of the firm which has offices across the UK, Europe, and North America.

Emma Banks, ramarketing’s CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Melissa to our executive team. She brings extensive knowledge, strategic acumen, and innovative thinking to ramarketing. Melissa’s expertise is invaluable as we navigate through our next phase of growth. I’m confident that she will play a pivotal role in driving financial excellence and sustainability across our global operations. We’re excited about the positive impact she will make in shaping our financial goals and future.”

Ms Pattinson added: “The ramarketing story is fantastic. The agency has achieved incredible success growing from a small, regional start-up to a multinational business with clients around the world. It’s this ambition and success that I’m keen to be a part of and enable further opportunities and growth. The culture at ramarketing also greatly appealed to me. It’s very different from the traditional corporate environment I have often worked in, especially in a sector like finance. Ramarketing is very people-focused and passionate about developing the full potential of employees so that was a key influence in my decision to join.”

Industry body the Construction Alliance North East (CAN) has confirmed Tim Barrett as its new chair.

Mr Barratt, a member of the the Federation of Master Builders and a former trustee of The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), takes over the role from Ken Parkin, who has been chair since 2020. CAN performs a campaigning and lobbying role on behalf of contractors in the region.

Mr Barratt said: “I am very much aware I am taking on the role of chair of Construction Alliance North East during a year that will see fundamental structural change regionally, with the creation of the enlarged, all-in, North East Combined Authority with increased, devolved, powers and nationally, with a general election looming and the prospect of a change of Government.

“We will monitor, very closely, developments, as they take place and will pursue a range of initiatives, including meaningful dialogue with the region’s current MPs and those candidates for regional Mayor and in the General Election. Our primary objective being to ensure all national and regional stakeholders recognise the North East’s construction sector is both a huge asset and critically important to the region and its ambition for future growth.”

Newcastle-based Burnetts Solicitors LLP has appointed legal director Laura Laffey following expansion into new offices.

Ms Laffey joins Burnetts having been a director at a Sunderland firm. Her recruitment comes as the firm has moved into new premises at 1 Citygate building, giving it room for growth in its workforce.

Ms Laffey said: “I wasn’t really looking to move but then I had a meeting with one of the team at Burnetts and I realised there was the opportunity to do some really good work and be alongside really nice people. Burnetts has such a strong team that I knew that this would work really well for me and so when the opportunity came along to work there, I just jumped at it. I love my job, I love being able to help clients and I am delighted that I am going to be able to do that at Burnetts.”

Nicola Nutley, Burnetts’ head of Newcastle, said: “Our Medical Negligence and Serious Injury Team has a really strong reputation for its exceptional work and having Laura will only strengthen that reputation. Laura is a well-respected, experienced professional who will be a great asset to our firm as it continues to grow.”

The Glendale Agricultural Society has appointed Gemma Douglas as its new events manager, and Sophia Tirelli-Hurst as administration assistant.

Gemma Douglas joined the Society last year, and has now taken the lead role in delivery of its events and membership activities. Meanwhile administration assistant Sophia Tirelli-Hurst will support Ms Douglas.

The Society is a charity set up to advance education and skills in agriculture and the environment. It has staged the Glendale Show for more than 125 years – an event which attracts more than 10,000 visitors each year on August Bank Holiday.

Chair Ian Murray said the two appointments mark the beginning of a new phase in the Society’s development. He added: “Agriculture will always be the backbone of our Society and our local economy, and we will continue to support the future success of farming and farmers in every way we can. The fact that our show keeps growing in entries and attendance is a very encouraging demonstration of the health of our farming community, and with Gemma and Sophie adding their experience and enthusiasm to our team, I am very confident that we can achieve our goal to help our rural community go on growing and enhancing our unique environment for another 125 years.”