People on the Move: Key Appointments and Promotions in the Northeast

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A Newcastle recruitment company is planning the next phase of its growth with the latest addition to its top-tier team.

Catalyst specializes in technical, professional and executive recruiting, and from its base in Newcastle it has helped source talent for the likes of EY, P&G and PwC, along with North East companies such as Ebac and True Potential.

The company has now appointed Andrew Hoyle, a prominent lawyer who has held a number of high-profile posts in the region, as company secretary. Mr. Hoyle joins other leaders who have recently joined Catalyst, including Lee Ieronymides, former Managing Director of Solutions Recruitment, as its Senior Consultant, and former EY Associate Audit Partner, Darren Rutherford, as Executive Counsel.

The team also has business coach Roger Blight, who was previously the UK and European CFO of footwear at Nike.

Paul Wilson, Founder and CEO of Catalyst, said: “We are delighted to bring on Andrew to support our continued development. His reputation and track record speak for themselves and his decision to join us is as much an endorsement of the work we are doing as it is of our ambition.”

Sunderland based housing association Gentoo Group has appointed interim CEO Louise Bassett permanently effective immediately. Ms. Bassett joined the group seven years ago as Executive Director of Corporate Services and has been serving in the interim position since January.

She said: “I am very proud to lead such a determined and dedicated organization. Together we are committed to putting our tenants at the center of business decision-making and creating better working lives for everyone at Gentoo. I look forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders as we continue to improve our services for tenants.”

Ms. Bassett has over 20 years of experience in senior-level positions in the private sector in healthcare and consumer organizations. She joined Gentoo to help with the organization’s transformation project and is passionate about maximizing the potential of all colleagues in the organization.

YoungsRPS has appointed Chris Arundel his Sedgefield team to help drive growth across the region.

Mr Arundel, a Chartered Surveyor and Registered Valuer, has over 25 years’ experience working in the UK property market joining Joe Fraser Chartered Surveyors. He was previously an agency head at GSC Grays, responsible for Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire.

He said: “I am delighted to be able to join youngsRPS. They are a well respected and established firm where I will be willing to contribute a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Sedgefield team and a broader client base over time. I am looking forward to helping develop new business and servicing the existing customer base.”

A Newcastle Defense Solicitor has taken on a new role with the Northumberland National Park Authority.

Adam Chaffer, an associate in the construction and dispute resolution team at the North East law firm of Hay & Kilner, has been appointed as the authority’s Independent Rules Person. The role, which is a statutory appointment, aims to promote and uphold good governance and standards within the authority and supports the work of its supervising officer with regard to the Park’s code of conduct.

He is already director and company secretary of the county’s destination marketing body, Visit Northumberland. Previously he served as Governor Elect at the NHS Foundation Trust of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital and as Company Secretary of the Newcastle Cricket Club CIC.

Jean Davidson, Chairman of the Northumberland National Park Authority, said: “Adam is an excellent appointment to the Northumberland National Park Authority at a time when standards in public life are more important than ever. He not only has a wealth of relevant experience in the legal, public and tourism sectors, but he is also passionate about Northumberland and has in-depth knowledge of the National Park and its communities.”

Berwick based accounting firm Greaves West & Ayre (GWA) has announced that David Renton Associates has become a partner in the business.

Mr. Renton began his career with GWA in 2000 in the corporate services department and is now the head of GWA’s corporate services team, where he is primarily focused. He said: “It is a pleasure to be part of the GWA team and to contribute to our continued growth and success. Many of our clients have been with us for many years, some for generations, and I look forward to building and expanding those relationships and continuing our reputation for providing quality advice.”

Robbie Dalgleish, another GWA partner, said: “David has made a valuable contribution to our business and has demonstrated GWA’s core values ​​of quality advice and service. Our team is critical to our success and we are proud that GWA’s support and encouragement have helped David reach his potential.”

North East M&A Specialty Boutique, WilliamsAli has named award-winning negotiator Paul Kaiser as president.

He will share his skills and experience in supporting founders Abu Ali and Phil Williams, guiding and developing the WilliamsAli team and further strengthening its position in the North East market.

Mr. Kaiser has spent 40 years in leadership roles, including 27 years at Deloitte. His appointment comes at a time when the WilliamsAli team is actively managing a number of major deals that are scheduled for completion later this year.

He said: “I am delighted to formalize my relationship with Abu and Phil, whom I have enjoyed mentoring over the last nine months. In the four years that WilliamsAli Corporate Finance was established, the guys’ drive and enthusiasm established a great market position that we can build on. For me, this appointment provides the opportunity to support the continued development of an outstanding team, something I have enjoyed doing and which has underpinned the success I have achieved throughout my consulting career.”

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