People on the move: North East appointments and promotions of the week

Drug discovery firm Newcells Biotech has made a series of senior leadership changes.

The Newcastle-based business has promoted Dr Valeria Chichagova’s to the role of director of technology while Dr Colin Brown has become chief scientific officer and Profr Lyle Armstrong, the company’s co-founder, has become scientific advisor. Newcells has also made new appointments in its US team.

Dr Mike Nicholds, CEO and co-founder of Newcells Biotech, said: "At Newcells, we have built an industry-leading reputation for developing and applying models of human tissues to accelerate clinical translation in drug discovery. The deep expertise across our company is something we’re incredibly proud of.

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"I’m delighted to congratulate Valeria and Colin on their new roles, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Lyle to realise the vision we have for the company. I welcome our new team members in the US as we continue on this exciting growth trajectory and bring more innovative solutions to our customers. In doing so, we push ahead with our mission to de-risk discovery and development and help bring innovative new medicines to market, faster."

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has appointed Gareth Singleton as regional managing partner for Yorkshire and the North East.

Mr Singleton will take on the role next month, succeeding Terry Jones ahead of his planned retirement in 2025, overseeing the firm's 180-strong audit, tax and advisory teams in the region. His appointment comes after 16 years at BDO as an audit partner.

Mr Singleton said: “I’m delighted to be taking on the role of regional managing partner in the region. I’m really looking forward to working alongside the hugely talented team that Terry Jones has developed and led for many years, as we look to capitalise on the significant market opportunity that exists in the region. Our focus will be on supporting the team to grow and build on the strong foundations we have put in place, while remaining focused on our people proposition to ensure that our team has the confidence and skills to continue to deliver high quality services to the ambitious businesses we work with in the region.”

Mr Jones added: “It’s been my absolute pleasure to have been part of the office’s growth and development since joining in 2005. In over 10 years as regional managing partner, there have been many successes as well as some challenges, including a global pandemic, growing geo-political tensions and economic uncertainty."

County Durham PR agency Harvey & Hugo has marked 15 years in business with a collection of appointments.

Stephen Heslop has become business development director and will help the firm expand its client base. Meanwhile former journalist Ian Johnson was appointed PR and content manager, bring experience as both a chief reporter and news editor at North East newspapers. Becky Wade has been promoted to relationship director.

Charlotte Nichols, who founded the firm in 2019, said: “I launched Harvey & Hugo at a time when many businesses couldn’t afford to invest in PR, but our unique model has since given hundreds of companies a platform to be heard. Back in 2009, PR was dominated by lengthy, inflexible contracts but we broke that mould by creating our pioneering Pay-as-Hugo model which was a huge hit with clients, and opened their eyes to just how much benefit PR can bring to a business.

"Whilst our Pay-as-Hugo model is still very popular, our output of services has evolved. Many of those who started on it and now retained clients, whilst we offer every aspect of PR – from press releases and social media, to videography and even podcasting. And as our services have evolved, so has the business."

Pharmaceutical firm Onyx Scientific has appointed Courtnie Thomas Wilks as business development manager for the UK and Europe.

The Sunderland-based firm, which has grown headcount by 50% to 120 employees over the last two-three years, says it is eyeing European expansion with Ms Thomas Wilks' recruitment. She has previously worked for pharmaceutical market intelligence service Citeline, consumer self-care company Perrigo and hygiene healthcare and nutrition brand specialist Reckitt.

Ms Thomas Wilks said: "The team at Onyx are enthusiastic, talented and committed to achieving high quality science and customer experience and I am excited to be part of the team. I look forward to leveraging my experience to build solid relationships with existing and new customers, fostering growth and expanding our presence across the UK and Europe. My skills and dedication will help drive Onyx Scientific’s strategic objectives and deliver outstanding business results."

Dr Chris Atherton, Onyx Scientific’s commercial manager added: “Our appointment of Courtnie as business development manager bolsters our plans for commercial expansion across the UK and Europe. She has a strong track record of negotiating high-stakes deals, fostering strong partnerships and significantly expanding the market footprint of the organisations she has worked for, capitalising on new business opportunities and contributing significantly to revenue growth. I am confident that Courtnie will make a strong addition to our commercial team.”

Equine bedding firm Bedmax Ltd has appointed Darren Mottershead as sales manager for its North of England region.

Mr Mottershead has experience in sales management, marketing and communications, including in the pet and equestrian products industry. He recently worked in sales roles at Perry Equestrian and has also worked for NAF Equine Supplies as well as the British Equestrian Trade Association.

Bedmax managing director Tim Smalley said: "Darren has an excellent track record in retail sales and support in the North of England, but even more importantly he shares our passion for the care and welfare of horses, and he completely understands our mission to offer our retail customers the highest possible quality of products and service. He is an ideal fit for Bedmax, and I know that his knowledge and experience will be integral to the ongoing growth of our sales across the North of England.”

Mr Mottershead said: "I am very excited to be joining such a well-established and noted brand within the equine industry. And I am looking forward to further building strong relationships with our trade and retail outlets across the North of England, many of whom I already know well. Going forward my aim is to further develop the brand, expand sales in the North across our whole portfolio, and open up the major potential markets for our non-bedding products including Hotmax fuel logs and Catmax litter."

Young North East chief Abigail Smith has been appointed chef de partie to James Close's new summer residency, TERRA, at Rockliffe Hall.

The 18-year-old, formerly a commis chef at Rockliffe Hall, recently won the coveted title of North East Young Chef of the Year as both the youngest entrant and only young woman in the competition.

Ms Smith said: "It was a little bit intimidating. I was up against older chefs. I was both the youngest and only girl in the competition. Everything went fairly smoothly during the morning competition. The only issues were my equipment, which kept breaking on me, but somehow, I got on with it. When the result was announced I did get a bit emotional – relief as much as anything."

Chris Jewitt, CEO of FADNE, said: “The NECTA annual competition is becoming a key diary date for all young and aspiring chefs across our region. Many past winners of the accolade have gone on to build and develop fantastic careers in the food and hospitality sector and there is little doubt that Abigail will do the same and be a star of the future. Each year the competition is becoming a bigger affair with senior chefs and restaurateurs keen to encourage and promote the enormous talent in kitchens around our region.”