The North East business landscape is witnessing a significant surge in activity, with a wave of strategic appointments and promotions announced across the retail, legal, and professional services sectors. These moves signal a period of ambitious growth and investment in local talent, reinforcing the region's dynamic commercial environment.
Leadership Shifts in Retail and Green Energy
Leanne Cahill, the former CEO of lingerie retailer Bravissimo, has taken the helm as the new Chief Executive Officer of homeware company The Bazaar Group, which now trades as icon. Ms Cahill, who started her career on the shop floor at Marks & Spencer, brings a wealth of experience from major firms including Legal & General and Walgreens Boots Alliance. She led Bravissimo through a successful sale to Wacoal Europe in 2024 and also serves as the Chancellor of the University of Sunderland.
Her appointment allows founder Mark Dolder to transition to a non-executive director role. Jayne Dolder, icon's founder, expressed excitement about Ms Cahill's deep retail experience arriving at a crucial time for the company's evolution.
Meanwhile, North Tyneside's Greener Solutions Group has established a new senior leadership team to support its ambitious growth plans. Founded in 2015 by Andrew Wilkinson and Keian Sanchez, the company has expanded from social housing compliance into renewables and retrofit solutions. The new team includes Matthew Hetherington as Technical Director, James Dorward as Operations Manager, and Alan Ross as Head of Insulation, among others.
Strategic Moves in the Legal Sector
The region's legal firms are also strengthening their ranks. Law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed corporate partner Nik Tunley as its new Head of Corporate. This promotion follows the firm's recent merger with Teesside-based The Endeavour Partnership. Mr Tunley, who specialises in mid-market mergers and acquisitions, joined The Endeavour Partnership in 2008 and previously led its corporate team.
Steven Petrie, Ward Hadaway’s Managing Partner, praised Mr Tunley's calm deal leadership and commercial judgement. Mr Tunley stated his focus is on maintaining high standards and deepening relationships across the newly merged firm's offices.
In another significant development for legal talent, Muckle LLP has welcomed a new cohort of five trainee solicitors and one solicitor apprentice, bringing its total of aspiring lawyers to 19. The new trainees—Abi Chorlton Wilson, Hannah Hunt, Jason Sinclair, Rebecca Watson, and Thalia Agoglossakis Foley—will undertake two-year training contracts. They are joined by solicitor apprentice Ella Chandler, who will combine six years of on-the-job training with part-time study.
Investing in the Next Generation
The commitment to nurturing new talent is evident across other sectors. Architectural, structural, and civil engineering firm Building Design Northern (BDN) has recently hired two newly graduated architectural assistants, Megan Gray and Nirali Chavan. They will support multi-disciplinary teams on live projects across the UK from BDN's North East and North West offices.
Director Ryan Doyle emphasised the company's dedication to supporting the next generation of architects and promoting the industry as an attractive career path.
Similarly, architecture and interior design practice the Architects-Group has announced several new appointments at its AirView Park headquarters in Woolsington. The firm has welcomed Emily Leake as a Senior Architect and Paul Biggins as a Senior Architectural Technologist. They are joined by RIBA architecture apprentice Kate Graham, Part 2 architectural assistant Paopao Yang, and student placement Joanna Madetko.
Managing Director Tony Harmieson said the new recruits would further their career dreams within a team deeply committed to quality and excellence.
This collective investment in leadership and graduate talent underscores a confident and forward-looking business community in the North East, poised for sustained growth and innovation.
