The North East BIC has appointed Brett Griffiths as its new chief executive officer, with the role effective from October 1. Griffiths joins from multinational consumer products company Société BIC, where he led the firm’s North Europe commercial division.
Originally from South Africa, Griffiths brings more than 26 years of executive commercial leadership experience across Africa, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and Northern Europe. Since moving to County Durham in 2020, he has volunteered on the board of Enactus UK, a global non-profit that supports university students in creating social impact through sustainable entrepreneurship.
New Leadership at North East BIC
Griffiths said: “The North East BIC is a purpose-driven organisation, which aligns perfectly with my values, and I look forward to working with our talented team to build upon its fantastic legacy. It’s a really exciting time for the organisation and the North East region. We can see accelerating commercial confidence and inward investment in the North East of England. However, if these developments are to truly deliver for the region, then we must ensure that the benefits are felt across our communities, and this is why organisations such as the North East BIC are so important.”
He added: “Over the coming years, the organisation is set to play a pivotal role in providing the support and workspace required to help the region’s businesses start up, scale and grow. It’s a commercial organisation which has such a positive social impact, that was my catalyst to come here. I want to thank Paul McEldon for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment over many years.”
Morgan Sindall Names New Area Director
Morgan Sindall Construction has appointed Nick Corrigan as its new area director for the North East and Cumbria business. Corrigan brings 30 years of construction industry experience, with most of his career spent working across the North of England. Originally from Hartlepool, he joins the company while it is delivering a broad range of projects.
Corrigan said: “This is a part of the world I know well and care deeply about. There’s huge potential for growth in both the North East and in Cumbria, not least because of the renewed focus from the top levels of government on rebalancing the UK economy and supporting the UK regions.”
Simon Arnott, managing director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the North, said: “There is a great deal of focus on investment in the North East and Cumbria and Nick is exactly the kind of leader we want at the helm of our regional business.”
Clive Owen Strengthens Corporate Finance Team
Accountancy firm Clive Owen has appointed Paul Williams as corporate finance executive. Williams joins from a Big Four accountancy firm, where during his training he gained exposure across sectors including banking and insurance, and spent time working in Bristol. His appointment follows the recruitment of Michael Dickens as corporate finance manager, during a period of investment and growth for Clive Owen.
Williams said: “I am delighted to have joined Clive Owen at such an exciting time for the firm and corporate finance team. The opportunity to work closely with ambitious business owners, supporting them through every stage of their business journey was a major draw. The breadth and variety of the role, together with the chance to work alongside such an experienced and well-respected team, made it an opportunity I was eager to be part of.”
Everflow Appoints Water Managing Director
Utilities company Everflow has announced the appointment of Mari Jones as its new water managing director. Jones’s career has seen her lead high-performing teams in large-scale organisations focused on improving customer experience.
Jones said: “Everflow is well placed to lead the market by raising expectations of what SMEs should experience from their utilities provider both in what we offer and how we deliver it. The focus now is on simplifying how we operate and ensuring everything is built around the needs of our customers. My focus will be on taking what is already a great foundation and building on it.”
Ward Hadaway Bolsters Teesside Construction Practice
Ward Hadaway has appointed Barnaby Rosenthall as legal director in its Teesside office, strengthening its construction and engineering law offer for businesses across the region. The move follows Ward Hadaway’s 2025 merger with The Endeavour Partnership, which gave the law firm a large, dedicated Teesside team.
Rosenthall rejoins following a period as senior legal counsel at Mitie, where he advised the executive leadership team and supported the delivery of major power and grid infrastructure projects.
He said: “Returning to Ward Hadaway was an easy decision because I already knew the strength of the team, the quality of the work and the firm’s ambitions for the future. My time in-house gave me valuable insight into the commercial and operational challenges clients face on construction and engineering projects, from procurement and contract negotiation through to delivery and dispute resolution. It has helped me develop a pragmatic approach to legal advice that supports successful project delivery while helping clients achieve their commercial objectives.”
He added: “The opportunity to join as legal director combines a leadership role with the chance to help develop the firm’s construction and engineering practice in Teesside. I’m looking forward to working with clients across the region on projects and developments that are contributing to Teesside’s continued growth.”
