Several North East companies have announced key appointments and promotions this week, including Tilly Bailey & Irvine LLP, hedgehog lab, Sage, Swinburne Maddison, CMP Products, and Azets.
Tilly Bailey & Irvine LLP Promotes Solicitors
Growing North East law firm Tilly Bailey & Irvine LLP has announced a series of promotions. The firm, which has offices in Hartlepool, Sunderland, Stockton, Barnard Castle, and Wynyard, has promoted three solicitors – Laura Nomaz, Jessica Inman, and Georgia Wilkinson – to senior associate roles shortly after they returned from maternity leave. Joining them in that position are Rhiannon Melrose and Tyler Plunkett, while Bethany Atkinson, Mollie Hall, Olivia Linton, and Sophie Wilding have been promoted to associate-level roles.
Heather Bolton, partner and head of the Sunderland branch, said: “These promotions reflect the dedication and hard work shown by our colleagues across the firm. We are committed to supporting career development, promoting staff each year, and consistently recognising talent from within as we continue to grow.”
Swinburne Maddison Announces Managing Partner Succession
Law firm Swinburne Maddison LLP has announced that managing partner Jonathan Moreland will retire at the end of this year. He will be succeeded by Victoria Walton, the firm’s current partner and head of commercial property, who is set to take up the position in January 2027. Mr Moreland’s journey with the firm began in 1991 when he joined Swinburne Jackson and Moreland, where his late father was senior partner. Since his appointment as managing partner in 2021, he has led the firm through a period of unprecedented growth and success.
He said: “It has been an enormous privilege and honour to lead Swinburne Maddison. The role has been about far more than leadership alone – it has meant being part of a firm where people genuinely belong, care about one another and remain deeply committed to supporting our clients.” Ms Walton brings a wealth of experience, having joined as a trainee in 1999 and becoming a partner just seven years later. She has served on the firm’s management committee for six years, working closely with Mr Moreland to shape the firm’s strategy.
Sage Appoints New Chief Product and Strategy Officers
North East accounting tech group Sage has made two new senior appointments. Krish Vitaldevara joins as chief product officer and Anand Swaminathan as chief strategy officer. The two will join Sage’s executive leadership team on May 18 and June 15 respectively, and will be based in the company’s San Jose, California office. As chief product officer, Mr Vitaldevara will be responsible for Sage’s global product and platform strategy, innovation roadmap and delivery, while Mr Swaminathan will lead Sage’s corporate strategy, growth priorities and long-term value creation agenda.
Steve Hare, CEO of Sage, said: “Krish and Anand are proven leaders with deep experience building and scaling world-class products and businesses. Their appointments reflect our continued investment in innovation and growth, and I’m excited about the impact they’ll have for our customers, colleagues and partners.”
Azets Expands Audit and Tax Teams
Accountancy and advisory firm Azets has grown its audit and tax services for companies and individuals in the North East with four new hires. Yasmin Bambrough joins as audit senior, with Rebecca Hutton as audit associate. Ms Bambrough, previously with PwC, and Ms Hutton, from Clive Owen, work out of Azets’ Teesside office. Stuart Stephenson, whose experience includes more than nine years at KPMG, joins as corporate tax director, and Jonathan Kennedy arrives from S&W as R&D associate director. Azets employs more than 300 people, with 16 partners, in the North East, providing tailored accountancy, tax and advisory services.
Brian Laidlaw, partner and head of North East at Azets, said: “Yasmin, Rebecca, Stuart and Jonathan join us at an exciting time for the business as we continue to grow clients amid increasing compliance demands for SMEs and individuals here in the North East. Azets provides independent insights that bolster compliance, governance and long-term growth.”
Hedgehog Lab Promotes Senior Team Members
Newcastle-headquartered global product design consultancy hedgehog lab has announced a series of promotions among its senior team. Joe Thompson, hedgehog lab’s chief technology officer, has joined the company’s board. He has more than 25 years’ experience in the tech sector and has been with hedgehog lab for the last two, having previously held senior roles at Xoomworks – part of global consultancy Accenture. Ryan Scaife, previously chief financial officer, has taken on an expanded role as chief financial and operating officer. Aimé Watson Bachini has been promoted to director of people, as hedgehog lab steps up its plans to grow its headcount.
CEO Malcolm Seagrave said: “Our direction as a business has never been clearer. Last year’s execution of our strategy delivered strong results, and we’ve brought that same energy into the new year. These promotions recognise the leaders who are helping us scale what we do best – creating products that change businesses and transform lives. We are excited for the next phase of our journey with the exceptional team we have in place.”
CMP Products Restructures Sales Team
Cramlington cable glands, cleats and accessories manufacturer CMP Products has announced a strategic restructure of its UK and Europe sales team. Laurie Wilson has been promoted to regional manager (UK, Ireland & Europe and Central Asia), recognising more than a decade of contribution to the business. Jean-Baptiste Praud has been promoted to regional sales manager (Europe), while Gary Groves joins CMP as regional sales manager (UK and Ireland) from Riello UPS.
Vince Patterson, CEO at CMP, said: “As we continue driving our market-leading position through sustainable investment in our people and a deeper understanding of our customers, it is essential that our sales structure reflects that ambition. This new model strengthens collaboration, enhances accountability and ensures we are well positioned to support customers with the safety, reliability and efficiency they expect from CMP.”
