North East businesses are demonstrating significant momentum with a series of strategic appointments and promotions across multiple sectors, highlighting the region's growing economic confidence and investment in talent.
Legal Sector Strengthens with Dual Appointment
Newcastle-based Mincoffs Solicitors has bolstered its team with two key appointments designed to enhance service offerings and drive business growth. Charlotte Smyth has joined the firm's corporate department, bringing substantial experience in complex, multimillion-pound transactions with cross-border elements. Her background includes training and qualification at a North East firm before advancing within a national practice.
Simultaneously, Georgia Meyer has strengthened the private client division, specifically joining the family team. With particular expertise in divorce and financial settlements, Ms Meyer has developed significant experience handling cases involving high net worth individuals and intricate financial matters. She previously trained within a Newcastle full-service firm before moving to a large national law practice.
Ms Smyth expressed enthusiasm about her new role, stating: “I’m thrilled to be joining Mincoffs’ corporate team as they have an exceptional reputation in the North East and beyond. Their impressive client base is a testament to the quality and calibre of the team’s work. From my first interview, I knew that Mincoffs felt like a great fit for me culturally and since joining everyone has been so friendly and welcoming.”
Construction Firm Expands Regional Operations
Caddick Construction has significantly expanded its North East team through multiple strategic hires, following the successful launch of its Durham office last year. The company recruited eighteen professionals initially and has added four more appointments in early 2026. The Durham base is currently managing an important pipeline of projects, including Placefirst's build-to-rent scheme, Galley's View in Sunderland, and DPD Forest Park in Durham.
Leadership and Apprentice Appointments
The new appointments feature Chris Musson, who joins as commercial manager after a decade at Willmott Dixon, and Dan Dodsworth, who takes on the role of operations manager. Both individuals are graduates of Northumbria University and collectively bring thirty years of industry experience to their positions.
Furthermore, Caddick Construction has welcomed two commercial apprentices, Connie Bell and Jake Dickinson, representing the first wave of work-based learning recruits as the firm intensifies its workforce investment across the North East region.
Steve Ford, regional managing director of Caddick Construction North East and Yorkshire, commented: “The launch of our Durham office was our statement of intent for the North East, and the growth of the team since has reflected both the strength of the regional market and the confidence clients have in Caddick. We are investing in experienced leadership, emerging talent and apprenticeships to build a team with local knowledge and capability.”
Accountancy Firm Targets Ambitious Growth
North Shields-based accountancy practice Blu Sky has reinforced its senior leadership team and recruited eight new members as it pursues an ambitious target of reaching £3 million in turnover by 2027. The B Corp certified firm, following a year of twenty percent revenue growth, has enhanced its leadership board with three fractional appointments.
Strategic Leadership Enhancements
- Cassie Webster appointed as chief marketing officer
- Alistair McLeod takes role of chief information officer
- Katrina Appleyard becomes chief sustainability officer
Additionally, the firm has implemented several internal promotions, including Chrissie Krappe stepping into the newly created position of managing director, Josh Sanghera advancing to head of growth, and Kim Rowling assuming additional responsibilities as head of people while continuing her executive assistant duties.
Founder and director Jon Dudgeon explained: “We’ve had an incredible year at Blu Sky, increasing our revenue by 20 percent and setting a clear ambition to reach £3m turnover by 2027. To support our growth, we have invested heavily in leadership development, working with behavioural coaching company Tribero and New Results Training to enable our people to step into senior roles.”
Technology Company Appoints Operational Leader
Newcastle safety technology specialist Notify Technology has appointed Ayshea Robertson as chief operating officer, marking a significant step in the company's development. Ms Robertson, an experienced HR specialist and board director, joins from Atom Bank where she served as chief people officer. Her career includes senior roles at Zen Internet, Bellway and Technology Services Group, alongside being a vocal advocate for Women in Tech initiatives.
In her new capacity, she will strengthen HR and finance functions, scale customer success operations into a core business area, and help drive the next phase of corporate growth. This appointment coincides with the company reporting its best-ever quarter to December 2025, with revenue increasing thirty-five percent year-on-year. Notify Technology, backed by Mercia Ventures, Calculus Capital and private investors, has also secured several major client wins for its health and safety software, including Thales UK.
Duncan Davies, CEO of Notify Technology, stated: “We’re entering a defining phase at Notify. Ayshea’s appointment marks a step change in our operational maturity and ambition. She brings the experience to help us scale sustainably, while keeping people, purpose, and customer service at the heart of everything we do.”
Building Consultancy Strengthens Newcastle Office
Silverstone Building Consultancy, a surveying and construction project management firm, has appointed Rob Asquith as associate director within its Newcastle office. Mr Asquith brings seventeen years of experience as a building surveyor to the role, having previously worked at Gleeds and spending nearly a decade at Hollis.
He will lead the delivery of commercial property construction projects, encompassing new builds, extensions, refurbishments and fit-outs. Additionally, he will provide building and dilapidations surveys, offering practical, commercially-focused advice to clients across the commercial property sector.
Mr Asquith remarked: “I had heard great things about Silverstone from people I already know in the team, and also from mutual clients so I was really pleased when a position came up. I’m looking forward to working with their great client base, including Hitachi.”
These collective appointments across legal, construction, accountancy, technology and consultancy sectors illustrate a robust pattern of investment and confidence within the North East business community, positioning the region for continued economic advancement and professional service excellence.
