Durham City law firm Swinburne Maddison LLP has appointed five new lawyers to its team.

The commercial property team has welcomed Diane Hall, who has more than 10 years of experience in residential and commercial property, while Manny Thandi joins from another regional law firm and works with clients in the retail sector.

Laura Dorée has been appointed to the role of licensed conveyancer in the residential property team, Ellie Straughan joins the family team from a Teesside firm, and chartered legal executive Kelly Jefferson has been recruited to help the dispute resolution team’s registered provider and high-profile local authority clients.

Managing partner Jonathan Moreland said: “These latest appointments are a great example of our desire to blend experience and emerging talent, so we have the right balance in our business.”



Mark Vaus, technical sales director of Reproflex3
Mark Vaus, technical sales director of Reproflex3

Packaging specialist Reproflex3 Ltd has appointed Mark Vaus as a new sales director.

The Cramlington-based company, which operates sites in the UK, Dubai, India and New Zealand, has appointed Mr Vaus as technical sales director for corrugate. He brings more than three decades of experience in the flexible packaging pre-press industry to Reproflex3 as it seeks to grow its corrugate business within the UK and internationally.

He said: “Reproflex3 is a clear market leader in pushing the boundaries of flexographic print, with a programme of continual investment, innovation and R&D. I’m very much looking forward to supporting the company’s growth ambitions for corrugate inside the global flexo industry.”



David Cash of Christie & Co
David Cash of Christie & Co

David Cash has been appointed as Christie & Co’s new regional director to lead its growing pub and restaurant team in the North of the UK.

Mr Cash joined the property specialist as a graduate trainee in the Newcastle office in 2014, where he later qualified as a chartered surveyor. He has since carved out a reputation as the go-to pub and restaurant property agent in the North East, having personally brokered and advised on hundreds of matters across the region.

He said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed in this new role. I am extremely passionate about the pub and restaurant sectors and the geography that I am responsible for. We have an enthusiastic team with lots of experience and I am excited to execute our growth strategy over the coming months.”



Catherine Johns, executive director of Dance City
Catherine Johns, executive director of Dance City

Dance City has appointed Catherine Johns as its new executive director.

She will work closely with Anand Bhatt, artistic director, to play a lead role in taking forward Dance City’s organisational vision and aims. Ms Johns is the former CEO of Kielder Observatory, having led the organisation through a period of transformation through the pandemic. Before that she was director of the North East Centre of Excellence for Satellite Applications. She has also been vice-chair of the United Kingdom Science Park Association, a board director of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP), founded Women in IASP, and sat on the Women’s Advisory Board for the North East Chamber of Commerce.

She said: “Dance City has been a constant in my life, ever since I came to study at Newcastle University, from taking classes to enjoying memorable performances to working with the amazing dancers and choreographers based here in the North East. I’m very much looking forward to supporting the team to develop the organisation.”



Edward Marshall, chief technology officer of Hedgehog Lab
Edward Marshall, chief technology officer of Hedgehog Lab

Tech consultancy Hedgehog Lab has appointed Ed Marshall as chief technology officer.

Mr Marshall was director of technology for cloud and digital transformation consultancy Infinity Works before become MD during its 2021 acquisition by Accenture. As the new CTO, he will use his experience to define the future business strategy, focusing specifically on technological solutions available to clients and the recruitment of skilled specialists to continue delivering solutions.

He said: “Hedgehog Lab is in such a fantastic position in today’s global market, and I cannot wait to build on that and lead the firm to further success.”

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