A series of promotions have been unveiled at Nicholson Nairn Architects after its founding partners Tony Nicholson and Garfield Nairn stepped down.
Chris Barr, the managing director, will be supported in the management of the practice by Gary Wilson, Peter Elder, Philippa Ramsay and Chris Heal.
Mr Wilson, who heads up Yorkshire operations, has been promoted to associate director, with Mr Elder and Ms Ramsay becoming associates of the business. Senior architect Mr Heal, who joined the practice earlier in the year, completes the management team, bringing with him invaluable experience from prestigious southern practices.
Newcastle architecture practice GT3 Architects has appointed Katie Forrest as head of marketing.
Ms Forrest will be based in the firm’s Newcastle office and will be responsible for driving the company’s strategic growth and outreach programmes.
Originally from Whitley Bay, she has worked in London since 2012, heading up marketing teams within multi-disciplinary construction consultancy Stace LLP and home technology designers, Inspired Dwellings. She sat on CEDIA’s EMEA Board of Marketing and has been involved in some of the capital’s most exciting regeneration projects.
She said: “Having lived in London for a number of years I’m also looking forward to relocating back to the North East and my hometown of Whitley Bay. It’s an interesting time, particularly with the background of potential social changes across the country – I’m therefore eager to be re-introduced to the North East and Midland’s business circles and see what the future holds.”
Simon Dunstan, director at GT3 Architects, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Katie to the team. She has extensive experience within the property and construction industry, which will be a great asset as we take the next steps into a post-lockdown world.”
North East tech business Saggezza has made a senior hire as it looks to drive ongoing expansion.
(Image: Saggezza)
The Sunderland Software Centre-based company has appointed Rob Gwyther as operations director, a role that will see him report directly into the company’s UK MD Martin Williams.
Mr Gwyther is a senior IT and technology leader, with over 15 years of experience in the field, and he joins from Accenture Consulting.
He said: “Saggezza has immense potential, so the opportunity to join a business where I can play a key role in its development and growth is massively exciting.
“The level of ambition that the senior leadership team has for Saggezza UK was a major part of the attraction, and a few days into my role, I can already see the huge potential of the people and the level of agility that a company like Saggezza has.”
Creative communications agency O has grown its senior team with the appointment of digital account director Steve Maybury, as the agency celebrates 15 years in business this month.
He joins O’s team to expand its digital services, including SEO, paid and organic social media management and creative content marketing.
Mr Maybury brings 18 years working in communications, with a focus on content marketing, digital PR and SEO, lead generation and impact measurement.
He said: “This is a challenging time for businesses, but an exciting phase for digital communications and marketing which is coming to the fore as a way to help businesses differentiate and recover post-lockdown.
“Organisations all over the world are reviewing and refining their digital strategies as they look to find new ways to reach, engage with and sell to customers.”
Newcastle-based music and business support agency Generator has expanded its team with two recent new appointments to support their senior management team and events programme.
New additions include Nick Sheffield, who joins Generator as creative and digital programme manager, bringing over 20 years of experience in the music and tech industries.
Mr Sheffield, who has worked with Sage Gateshead and Northumbria University, whilst also getting experience as a tour manager and recording engineer, will oversee delivery across all programmes, including talent development and business support for the music, tech and digital industries, and to ensure that Generator’s team has the support to grow and develop within their own roles.
Sarah Barron also joins the Generator team as admin and events co-ordinator, having spent six months previously in the role of talent development assistant part-time. Her new role will see her developing events programmes across the organisation and delivering these events for the respective business and music communities Generator serves.
CEO Hannah Matterson said: “I’m delighted to welcome Nick and Sarah to the Generator team. Their knowledge and expertise are invaluable to us and I’m pleased we will be working together to continue Generator’s mission of supporting creativity across the North East. I am looking forward to implementing their ideas and seeing what we can achieve in the future.”
Ruth Barrett has joined Newcastle’s Inspired as head of content and digital PR.
(Image: Inspired)
With 12 years’ experience in journalism and digital marketing, Ms Barrett was highly commended for Women In Marketing’s One To Watch award in 2019.
She said: “It’s an exciting time to join Inspired and build upon the foundation that Craig Boyle has created.
“Inspired haven’t historically shouted about their successes, of which there are many, but I’m confident we can continue to grow the digital PR team into one of the strongest in the North of England.”
