People on the move: key North East appointments and promotions

Lantern Building Consultancy has welcomed Josh Cauwood as a new surveyor to expand its team.

Associate Mr Cauwood has made the move to Lantern following two-and-a-half years at Workman LLP’s Newcastle office, where he developed skills in project management and contract administration. He previously worked for Wearside housing association Gentoo Group, commercial and residential consultancy Building Surveyors Limited, and regional property agency Naylors Gavin Black.

He becomes the sixth member of staff at Lantern, based at the firm’s new address at Generator Studios, Newcastle. Mr Cauwood said: “I’m very excited to join Lantern at such an exciting time for the business, and I’m looking forward to building on my experience. I am eager to get involved in undertaking building surveys, dilapidations, party wall projects and delivering other services for Lantern’s growing client base.”

Blaydon based waste management and recycling business the NWH Group has appointed Gavin Money as its managing director. He joined the family firm from Biffa in 2023, having held a number of senior executive positions, initially being appointed as chief operating officer. Tragically, following the untimely passing of the CEO in October 2023, he assumed the reins of the business, providing support to the family and the company during challenging times.

He said: “The NWH Group is a very well-respected brand in the industry. I’m honoured to lead the business as managing director and am committed to advancing our mission of delivering exceptional waste management solutions while driving sustainable growth. Together with our dedicated team, we will continue to innovate and exceed expectations in service delivery.”

Sunderland teacher recruitment business AK Teaching has hired Emma Ramsey as operations director. CIPD accredited HR professional Ms Ramsey, who has held senior level roles in HR and operations in similar recruitment businesses, has joined the 12-year-old company as it embarks on a plan to grow nationally.

She said: “I am really thrilled to join the AK Teaching team, and to be able to drive the growth of a business that serves its clients and its staff so well. AK Teaching has a fantastic culture, and that’s helped it become the high performing business it is today. I really want to help Anthony and Jonny build on those solid foundations, to ensure AK continues to serve an ever-growing client portfolio and to look after the brilliant team who contribute to the company’s success.”

A Durham University alumnus whose software is accelerating the global transition to net zero has seen her work rewarded with a major promotion. Engineer Dr Henna Bains has been named chief technical officer (CTO) of Newcastle based Kinewell Energy, a cleantech company providing software solutions to some of the world’s largest green energy producers.

Dr Bains joined Kinewell in 2022 after obtaining a PhD in engineering from Durham University titled ‘Offshore transmission system planning under severe uncertainty’.

She has seen her work come to life in the Kinewell Designing Offshore Transmission Systems (KDOTS) software solution, which launched last year to help developers identify the easiest, most cost-effective ways of transmitting energy from offshore wind farms to shore. As CTO, she is now responsible for the development of all Kinewell software solutions.

She said: “It fills me with immense pride to have been promoted to the role of chief technical officer at Kinewell. As an engineer, I love nothing more than being tasked with helping to overcome a challenge and they don’t come much bigger than the climate crisis, so it’s fantastic to be part of a team which is playing such a pivotal role in the global transition to Net Zero.

“Over recent years, Kinewell’s solutions have been utilised during the development of some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, so it is amazing to know we have played a key part in that.”

FW Capital has promoted Adam Collin and Lewis Blakelock in its North East team. Mr Collin has been promoted to portfolio executive and Lewis Blakelock to investment executive, following FW Capital’s ‘Career Path’ programme.

Mr Blakelock joined FW Capital’s North East property team in 2022 and previously spent two years in commercial and residential portfolio management, and has more than five years senior management and leadership experience. Mr Collin joined in January 2020, having previously spent 10 years in the insurance and banking industry with Lloyds Bank.

Joanne Whitfield, FW Capital Fund Director said: “The success of our business is down to the quality of our people and it is so important to invest in talent. At FW Capital we encourage personal and professional development at all levels and it is brilliant to see Adam and Lewis receiving promotions through our Career Path Programme. They are both valued members of the team and this is recognition of their achievements within the organisation and the core values they have demonstrated. Congratulations to them both and we are looking forward to supporting their ongoing career development.”

Sunderland law firm Richard Reed Solicitors has expanded its property team with the appointment of Hannah Parton as a new solicitor. Ms Parton, 27, has worked in Newcastle for a number of years, first as a remortgage paralegal and then as a trainee solicitor. She completed her qualifications last year and has now moved back to her home town to take up her new position.

She said: “I was aware of Richard Reed because they are such a well established firm and my family who live in Sunderland were very excited that I was going for an interview there. They were even more excited when I got the job and that I would be working back in the city. Even though I’ve only been with the firm for a week I know it was exactly the right decision. They are such great people to work with and I am looking forward to also learning so much more from their experienced property solicitors.”